Good morning!

I raised my high post cape few days ago and last friday, dropped in the last purlins, I was setting wedges around the dovetail mortises of the purlins this week-end and I mentionned that the frame is not "rigid" on the second floor. I mean if I try to shake the queen post I can feel the roof system shaking

My question is: is that normal?!

It's my first timber frame buidling and I have used the high post cape drwaing from chapell's book, adpated to my needs, I reduced from 24x24' to 20x20' keeping the same timber dimensions exept that I have one center post instead of two..
Also I didn't peg the joint external post to rafter, thinking that it was not enough wood left on that bird'speak which is 4x4", so far I set a screw from the top to hold it in place, strongbacks were just fine to raise the bents.

Can you guys tell me more about your experience in roof system bracing and stiffness? it looks like my braces in the first floor are doing their job, their are tight.



Thanks in advance for your help Neil