Uh oh. Rafter snafu -- thoughts?

[Will Gatlin]

Any structural engineers or builders want to weigh in? Are my rationalizations OK? We don't get much snow load. My rafters are offset almost too perfectly -- they're full dimension 2x6s spanning about 7 feet on a 3/12 pitch to a full-dimension 3x8 beam. The beam is supported from the bottom, too, and the two rafters at those posts and the two on the gable end meet up. But the internal rafters on the middle 10 feet of beam are offset. Read the latest on the blog for how this happend. Thoughts?Here's the description: coldholler.blogspot.com

[Admin]

Hi Will,
Welcome to our forums. Please take a look at <a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/forum-guidelines-and-terms-service">the forum rules</a> when you have a chance.
If you have a question about your rafters feel free to ask it. But don't post here simply to encourage traffic to your site (rules #11, #19 and #23).
We have edited your posts and your signature file accordingly.
Best of luck on your project,
-The Mgt.

[Will Gatlin]

I did read your rules and don't see how I violated them, if any URLs are allowed at all. Also, respectfully, you're making an assumption. My blog isn't a website, doesn't promote any advertisements, earns no royalties, and doesn't need "traffic." Beyond collecting helpful comments and suggestions on the blog itself, I don't care if anyone outside of my friends and family reads it unless there's a reason. It's just a collection of pictures and a description of my process and thoughts along the way. Posting questions in a forum like this can help lots, but if I can link to relevant supporting material it helps more. So I'd appreciate it if you would reconsider.
I'm learning as I go and may look into building a major project on the cleared lot above the cabin. If I build a real log home there, I may look into your class. Despite the rustic look of my cabin, I have more experience with stick-built construction and probably would qualify.
Thanks for your encouragement.

[Will Gatlin]

I do understand your more broad concerns. In addition to deleting the link on my signature file, suppose if I need to provide contextual information, when I have a question, I link in my question itself only to the relevant post or blog entry, not the whole thing?
Let me know.
That being said, how about this for a solution to my rafter issue? I'll add two rafters in the middle of the span directly opposite of two existing ones. It's a full dimension 3x8 supported from the bottom at each end, only spanning ten feet (3 more feet, adequately supported, cantilevered beyond this on each end). That would give the middle span two correct sets of rafters and six additional offset ones. Not much snow load around the Smokies, usually. I just don't want to have to tear them down and start over.

[panderson03]

the forums administration does everything it can to make these forums a comfortable place for us to share knowledge, encouragement, comraderie. I personally would not be able to build our log cabin with out the support of these forums. without them, I would definitely fail.
having said that, 'the admin' has deleted posts of others (including me) for violating rules. please don't take it personally. thanks for visiting our forums. I'm glad you're here. I read through your entire blog and was riveted! your son is sure to love his 'cabin':) I'm sure its going to turn out great! Ive done some research on locust. GREAT WOOD terribly under appreciated, in my opinion. at some point we're hoping to have a timber enterance to our cabin's driveway. will seek out locust to build this with, because of its wonderful properties.
please don't be offended at 'the admin's' actions. glad you're here!!

[Will Gatlin]

Thanks for that; I've been around message boards for some time, serve as an admin on a high-traffic one now, and could date myself by referencing usenet. I try not to violate rules or community standards, don't feel I did here, but understand the need for moderation. Maybe the admin will consider my questions and get back to me.
I can see how helpful this forum is and wish to remain on good terms here. Thanks for your encouragement -- sounds like you've tackled quite a project. Maybe someday soon I'll have the wherewithal to build a full-sized home, too!



the forums administration does everything it can to make these forums a comfortable place for us to share knowledge, encouragement, comraderie. I personally would not be able to build our log cabin with out the support of these forums. without them, I would definitely fail.
having said that, 'the admin' has deleted posts of others (including me) for violating rules. please don't take it personally. thanks for visiting our forums. I'm glad you're here. I read through your entire blog and was riveted! your son is sure to love his 'cabin':) I'm sure its going to turn out great! Ive done some research on locust. GREAT WOOD terribly under appreciated, in my opinion. at some point we're hoping to have a timber enterance to our cabin's driveway. will seek out locust to build this with, because of its wonderful properties.
please don't be offended at 'the admin's' actions. glad you're here!!

[panderson03]

wow you ARE old:) just kidding.
not likely the forums admin will respond to your questions. its usually the folks who are users/members who respond to questions on the forums. sometimes it takes a while for the responses to come in as they are sometimes actively working on their own builds....
there are a bunch who have done rafters of their own, though so I'm hoping they'll chime in!

[Admin]

I did read your rules and don't see how I violated them, if any URLs are allowed at all. Also, respectfully, you're making an assumption. My blog isn't a website, doesn't promote any advertisements, earns no royalties, and doesn't need "traffic." Beyond collecting helpful comments and suggestions on the blog itself, I don't care if anyone outside of my friends and family reads it unless there's a reason. It's just a collection of pictures and a description of my process and thoughts along the way. Posting questions in a forum like this can help lots, but if I can link to relevant supporting material it helps more. So I'd appreciate it if you would reconsider.

As I already said, you are welcome to ask any questions you want. If your question requires supporting material and/or lengthy descriptions, that's fine, you can post those here. But if you post the full description on your website, and a note here that just says "look at my website for the full description" then you are clearly outside the boundaries of what our forums are here for.... and that's regardless of whether your blog has a commercial agenda or advertising.
Both of your forum posts (this rafter post, and the locust in the ground post) were essentially both just pointers to your blog posting about the same thing. I was starting to sense a pattern here.... one of these two websites is unnecessary for the purpose of making a blog post.... you only need one website (yours) to make a blog post.
Some of the members here have been around long enough to remember what it was like before we had these rules. There was semi-subtle spam everywhere. Eventually it got to the point where we just had to disallow self-promotional links.
I left your un-hyperlinked web address in your initial post, so anyone who wants to visit it still has the option to do so. But in the future please post your complete thoughts rather than pointing people to your blog posts.
Best,
-The Mgt.
PS: Incidentally, we've now strayed into the area of stepping on rule #22.... if you wish to discuss this topic further please do so in e-mail to info@loghomebuilders.org rather than posting more about it here.

[R_Cullen]

Will the rafters be exposed? If not and no one will see it, and its an outbuilding so doesn't need to adhere strictly to code nor are you adding collar ties, then I would be tempted to leave it and continue on as normal since it won't compromise the structural integrity of the roof. Its a little unconventional but I can't see why it wouldn't work. I would add some steel ties(hurricane ties maybe?), though, holding the rafter to the top plate log just for added strength, but you don't need to add anything holding the rafter to the ridge beam.
Since your ridge beam is 3x8 then that would be strong enough to support your rafters even if they are not lined up. You can apply the same reasoning to why you add a second top plate to your walls when stick framing, giving the top plate a full 3 inches so that your joists/rafters don't have to line up with the studs.
Hopefully others will chip in to agree or correct my thinking here, as I haven't even build a log home yet so maybe the rules are different. Good luck Will!