scarfe joints

[catfordbags]

i've posted this on roofing as well because not sure which it fits ---

i'm gonna be making a ridge beam out of two pieces of 4 x 2

- i was told on this site a couple of weeks ago to use a scarfe joint to join the two.

I've looked it up on t'internet and it seems to be a very shallow diagonal cut.

Question number one - Any information on how to join the two together - nails, screws, glue ?


Because of the funny shape of the shed i am building all my rafters sit on a wall plate except the end one. Due to 45 degree angle in the wall this one will come to rest on the wall about a foot higher up.

It seems i can sit this end rafter on its own little wall plate about two foot long or i could sit it directly on the block work

Question number two - any thoughts on which would be best ?

Mucho Gracias

CB

 

[Symptoms]

cat - there are various forms of scarfe joint, the simplest being a long, slow 'mitre' to more complex arrangements with locking wedges etc. Your simple one should be held with nuts & bolts. But why bother ... just get a longer length so to span in one piece.