I'm building my first timber frame, a small uninsulated summer cabin with 2 porches. The frame is common purlin and the roof decking will be 2" x 8" planks (100 lb snow load plus steel roofing over planks). The roof slope is 12/12 for the cabin and 3/12 for porches. Wind speed of 100 mph is anticipated. I'm not sure whether to nail or screw the decking to the purlins nor what kind of nails or screws and how many to use. I'd love some suggestions.

Nailing/stapling is the fastest way, and is how a lot of people will attach standard OSB sheathing, but nothing beats the triple coated construction screws.

For 2x planking, I would think screws would be the way to go. in 8 inches, I would think 3 would be fine. We use 6 staples in feet of OSB, which comes out to a staple about every 8 inches. You could just use 2 per board, but 1 in the middle may help reduce its tendency to cup.

The best screws I have found are triple coated construction screws, the ones with the shiny gold-colored coating on them. Torx head is the way to go, with an impact driver.

Thanks for the advice. Would this screw be the sort you are suggesting?

Heavy Duty #10 Gold "Star Drive" Wood Screws

http://www.screw-products.com/gold.htm#hd

Similar, at any rate. Although those ones are quite expensive!

What I am talking about should be carried in your local hardware store. We buy ours at Menards, which I believe you have out in Colorado as well if memory serves me correctly.

In a big red bow that says 'screws' on it!

for 2x planking, 2 3/4 or 3 1/8 screws should work fine.

Using 2x for the roof makes for a very solid roof. You will be pleased. On the buildings I've worked on we have used both tongue and groove on houses and straight rough sawn on garages and barns. Both look nice and it is one of the most rewarding parts of the project. To quote a carpenter who was quoting a carpenter "We may never be closer to heaven".

As a crew of 3-4 we hand nailed everything. Spiral or ring shank 3-3 1/2 work nicely. In 2x6 we used 2 nails so with 2x8 you should be fine with 3. With proper technique(toe nailing and such) you can take out the bows and warps in 2x6. I suspect it will be harder with 2x8.

Bowing, cupping, and warping was the biggest part of why I suggested screws. I know from plank siding and horse stalls that screws will very quickly take that right out of a 2x8 with no trouble.

DLB

Yes, I'm looking forward to this part of the project. We (my son and I) are using rough sawn beetle killed lodgepole pine for the roofing. The frame is a combination of lodgepole and reclaimed long leaf pine.

I always feel left out when people talk about using local pine for their buildings. haha

Not very much of that (if any, it's eastern white) in central Indiana!

Is the roofing going to be T&G?

The lodgepole pine isn't very strong but the forests have been devastated by the beetles so it is plentiful and it would be a shame to see it sit and rot. The roof is not tongue and groove, the cabin is very rustic. I see that I'll need to put my pictures on a website to attach them to forum posts. I'll do that at some point.