DIY Trusses?

[karoc]

Guys other day while surfing I can across add for used trusses.Seller said he was taking down house that was 40yrs old.While looking at trusses I can see that they were made on site.So I need trusses but want to put them on 2’centers but that’s out budget,sooo I was thinking about buying some and making the rest.Im sure I’m not first to come up with this ideal but wonder if anyone has done same.Make their own trusses?

 

[cvairwerks]

Making your own is not a big deal if you have a set of drawings. Problem is that you will most likely spend more money on materials than buying ready made ones.

 

[nadogail]

Back in the day carpenters routinely made the trusses at the job site.

 

[240sxguy]

Mine at my house were definitely site built trusses. Looking at them now, though, it's clear design has come a long way. It's not normally a big deal but the way their assembled makes it a royal PITA to get through the attic!!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've never seen trusses built on site. What's the advantage over conventional framing (with joists, rafters, ridge board)?

 

[karoc]

Thanks guys price for 32’ is about 110 each,Yea it’s pain to build and just lot of work.I plan to space 6x6 4’ on center for Pole Barn use the engineered trusses and make the others myself to put them 2’ on center between engineered trusses.Im just kicking this around I know that 4’ on center is better than 8’ but just want get most I can.My labor is free

 

[cvairwerks]

For 110$ each, I'd just buy them. You probably won't beat that price on materials alone.

 

[ddurrett896]

Trusses are cheap. Buy em

 

[PWC Repair]

Mine at my house were definitely site built trusses. Looking at them now, though, it's clear design has come a long way. It's not normally a big deal but the way their assembled makes it a royal PITA to get through the attic!!

Ha! Mine are the same! Also I'm betting a portable sawmill cut the lumber right here to build. Was very common around here in the 40's and 50's.

My buddy and his FIL built all his for his 30x50 shop. I built the 12 footers for my wife's she shed.

 

[karoc]

Guys I price out material what I think it will take to make one and come up to about 60.00 I may have bit bullet buy them

 

[matt_i]

If you have building inspections they are going to want "engineering drawings" stamped, etc.

The old reused ones won't come with them.

Biggest concern for me would be getting all of the joints tight and the long time messing around with plywood, screws and construction adhesives to make the joining/reinforcing plates. Vs the multi-nail plates squeezed together while everything is in a jig.

New trusses are very accurately made, at least in my experience. It would take a lot of care (meaning time) in a DIY setting to get that level of precision.

Personally I would just buy them, you get the sealed/stamped drawings, BAM they roll off the truck and you go to erecting them.

 

[karoc]

Thanks guys I hear all,its off the table. I have to much on my plate to try save few dollars vs lot of time.
Where this is there are no inspections,HOA's just maybe nosy neighbors

 

[Cobra5150]

Thanks guys I hear all,its off the table. I have to much on my plate to try save few dollars vs lot of time.

A very sound decision both financially and timely.

 

[rburke65]

Buy them would be my advise. And you will never be sor4y that you spent the mon3y and put them every 2nd.

 

[plout99]

Thanks guys price for 32’ is about 110 each,Yea it’s pain to build and just lot of work.I plan to space 6x6 4’ on center for Pole Barn use the engineered trusses and make the others myself to put them 2’ on center between engineered trusses.Im just kicking this around I know that 4’ on center is better than 8’ but just want get most I can.My labor is free

Are 6x6 four feet oc for the posts code required? 8 feet oc should be more than sufficient and the cost savings there could go towards the trusss.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If there is ever an insurance claim it would be denied it the trussed were NOT designed by a certified engineer and built at a certified factory.

 

[The Cobbler]

here, trusses are engineer stamped. common rafters are under the building code.
you cannot make your own trusses and pass inspection .
people often mix up rafters & trusses .

 

[Showkey]

If there is ever an insurance claim it would be denied it the trussed were NOT designed by a certified engineer and built at a certified factory.

Say tree fell on the roof........

Would like to that in writing............Hear from actual person where a claim was denied.

Same tree:
Would the same apply to conventional rafter failed ............

Would the same apply to a flat roof where a joist fails........

Big enough tree......even a branch.......where any roof system will yield to the tree.

 

[Firebrick43]

here, trusses are engineer stamped. common rafters are under the building code.
you cannot make your own trusses and pass inspection .
people often mix up rafters & trusses .

Trusses are not engineered stamped, the plans are. Build to plan dimension, material grading, and nail schedule exactly and you can build your own trusses.

 

[The Cobbler]

Trusses are not engineered stamped, the plans are. Build to plan dimension, material grading, and nail schedule exactly and you can build your own trusses.

Ok, so by stamp I mean the paperwork that goes along with it. and that paperwork is stamped
but
if I built my own trusses based on the prints from purchased trusses, , I am pretty sure the inspector would not approve them

 

[Firebrick43]

Ok, so by stamp I mean the paperwork that goes along with it. and that paperwork is stamped
but
if I built my own trusses based on the prints from purchased trusses, , I am pretty sure the inspector would not approve them

Of course they wouldn’t. People at home don’t have the presses to install the manufactured truss mending plates.

You have an engineer design a truss for you and provide the proper drawings for the ply webs and nail schedule and the inspector really has no choice to but to accept it.

My inspector didn’t even bat an eye when I handed him the plans/ engineering letter.

View media item 71675
Now saying that, this is one truss that was built to join two structures together and was match perfectly with the valley set. No way in hell would I build trusses for a whole building. My arm felt like it was going to fall off with this one. Been a while but I recall 600 ish number 6 nails in this one truss

 

[karoc]

Are 6x6 four feet oc for the posts code required? 8 feet oc should be more than sufficient and the cost savings there could go towards the trusss.

I like your way of thinking,those poles along is also over 100.00 each.
Na guys no inspections out here, I do live close to a small town.

 

[NC Fabricator25]

If there is ever an insurance claim it would be denied it the trussed were NOT designed by a certified engineer and built at a certified factory.

Only way I can see that is if the claim was during, and related to, the construction of the building or home. Typical insurance claims (tree, hail, etc) though? Never heard of the insurance company asking to see the PE stamped truss plans. What situation are you describing where the insurance company is seeking certificatios of the engineer and the factory?

 

[NC Fabricator25]

Regardless of the insurance claim aspect ^, your DIY effort and dollars are better served in other parts of your build. Buy the trusses.

 

[Viper98912]

You guys are worried about rare events (tree falling), I'd be more worried about regular events such as wind loads and general weight

 

[Jackfre]

I re-built a 16x16 shed next to the house to fire harden it. Metal roof, Hardi siding. I built the trusses in the shop and rolled them on a cart the 200’ to the building. All the while I was making them I was wondering why in h*ll I hadn’t at least gotten a price on them. Your basic truss divides the lower cord in 1/4 and the rise in 1/3. I used a Bostitch coil nailer with ring shanks and PL400. It was an interesting project, but still wonder why I didn’t get a price on them. 12’ off the corner of the shed is a 4’ diameter black walnut. I put the trusses 16” oc.

 

[Marctrees]

karoc- I see you spending alot of time in my opinion trying to re invent the wheel.

Did you not like the referral I gave you ?

Good fixed price, done in a few days.

Marc

 

[brownbagg]

For 110$ each, I'd just buy them. You probably won't beat that price on materials alone.

that what i was thinking, they are so cheap they will even lift them up for you if you ready

now i could dee making metal k joist for a shop but then the price of material

 

[brownbagg]

I re-built a 16x16 shed next to the house to fire harden it. Metal roof, Hardi siding. I built the trusses in the shop and rolled them on a cart the 200’ to the building. All the while I was making them I was wondering why in h*ll I hadn’t at least gotten a price on them. Your basic truss divides the lower cord in 1/4 and the rise in 1/3. I used a Bostitch coil nailer with ring shanks and PL400. It was an interesting project, but still wonder why I didn’t get a price on them. 12’ off the corner of the shed is a 4’ diameter black walnut. I put the trusses 16” oc.

I be afraid of those, that not really a truss system, those are scary

 

[speed bump]

If I wasn't buying pre built trusses I would do rafters. That being said if I lost my mind and decided to build trusses I would probably hunt up a common truss design and then verify the calculations hit what I needed. Trusses aren't that difficult unless you really want to minimize material or have complex loading schemes. After that if I had more than 2 to build I would construct a jig and get to work.

I will say that if you think you need a PE to look at your plans unless you can find someone who specializes in wood trusses or trusts your abilities as a builder because they will spec way overbuilt as compared to purchased trusses.

 

[greg13]

How long ago did you get that price? My 25' trusses jumped up $35 a few weeks ago should have them this week. Lumber prices have gone stupid crazy this summer.

 

[mike93lx]

I've never seen trusses built on site. What's the advantage over conventional framing (with joists, rafters, ridge board)?

Simpler erection, places loads on the building differently, you can have an attic space without load bearing walls.

Most houses and shops are built with trusses today for these reasons. Mostly simplicity and cost

 

[Jackfre]

I be afraid of those, that not really a truss system, those are scary

I bow down before your superior knowledge...well, if you provided any!

 

[Jackfre]

Looks truss like to me.

 

[mike93lx]

I bow down before your superior knowledge...well, if you provided any!

I am guessing he thought all were gable end truss-style

 

[Boatman62]

A friend of mine built his own trusses for a gambrel barn. The building inspector was okay with it as long as he hired an engineer to design them and inspect them before erecting. In the end he spent waaayyyyy more money than he could have bought them for.

 

[Jackfre]

I am guessing he thought all were gable end truss-style

Agreed, Mike, but it is all in the presentation, eh?

 

[karoc]

How long ago did you get that price? My 25' trusses jumped up $35 a few weeks ago should have them this week. Lumber prices have gone stupid crazy this summer.

Heck,that was couple months ago, so I bet they have gone up.Been reading lot of post about lumber prices going up.

Marc,they gave me the thumbs down.That is out of their travel range, so I am back as diy project or going with group from Rusk Tx. Which once get to a point to where I am actually ready to start I will get price from them. I got price from company in Lufkin which looks fair but want another for comparison. But I did call place that you got your poles from and guy told me that buy time I order them that during those months prices may drop

 

[Marctrees]

karoc- They operate out of three locations - The Waskom office did my job, and I am 25+ miles further from them than you are.

Marc

 

[Jking24]

I only skimmed through this but is anyone weeks wondering why the op is adding trusses. He said he was having engineered trusses 4' oc but wanted to add trusses in the middle. Why ?