Hello everyone tonight

Great thread

In my experiences using hewn timber that may be twisted, etc.,
I just placed the timber on horses or timbers, then by sighting visually I would use wedges to try and obtain the most advantageous lay of the timber from one end to the other (splitting the wind)

I would then nail on straight 1 by 2inch stick on one end along a plumb line, (in from the edge about 2.25"), this stick would be long enough to extend above the timber 12 to 16".

Going to the other end of the timber apply another 1 by 2" stick of equal length using one nail keeping the stick in from the edge an equal distance, rotate the stick to line up visually with the far one and fasten securely with a second nail.
Snap a chalk line from end to end

this line is the main line all other lines will square off this line as work progresses

this layout uses only minimal steps and easily adapted to many siuations

NH