Truss question - new idea

[davidfite1978]

I've had another thread going with questions about my trusses. Well I came across a completely different idea so I figured it would need it's own thread.

Basically my garage roof has a really crappy hand-built 2x4 truss. I want to beef it up. My first (and ongoing) thought is to slide in some new 2x12x24 boards.

Well, I was looking on craigslist this morning at the "free" section, and someone in my town has some trusses for free. They are 24' long and 16" high. I'll include a picture for reference.

My question is this - Is there any way I can use these trusses for new ceiling joists? I'd have to angle/cut the ends so it would fit under the roof (can't take the roof off - it's brand new, gotta slide them in somehow). I'm not sure if there's a way to cut the ends and have them still be strong, or if it'd just be a waste of time.

Thoughts?

 

[KenC]

grab 'em! worry about details later.

 

[DekeT]

REAL plywood, glue, and nails on both sides is a way I have modified trusses at the ends to fit a problem area. Paid the truss company to engineer and stamp a plan. Overbuild some for what you guess will hold and it should do. Those 16 inch floor trusses will hold up a bunch.

 

[davidfite1978]

The floor on the back room of my garage had the exact same truss system. The ends were built with plywood on the last 2 feet. So basically you're saying I can cut whatever angle I need, then use plywood to box in the last 2 feet in the same manner?

 

[little d]

Holy ...., good find, Deke is right, those will hold up a tank!

Use a framing square, one side will be 24", the other should be 16", with the 24" side level to the bottom of your ceiling joist, slide it towards the wall until the tip of the 16" side hits the bottom of the roof decking. Mark this and measure to the top of the top plate against the roof decking and this will give you the angle ya need to cut.

 

[Saw]

I would place two by fours inside the plywood and try to keep as much of the truss in place as you can.

Triangles are strong, keep that in mind when modifying the truss.

 

[69gp]

you cannot cut the ends even at an angle. Those trusses are based on a triangle design to transfer the weight to the end. By cutting the top part of the truss the only support you would have is a 2x4 on its side. not very strong at all.

you may be able to modify your roof to slide these in from one end.

 

[little d]

^^^^ You can if ya do like Deke said and sandwich them with plywood, glued and nailed.

 

[davidfite1978]

Well I guess this conversation is moot at this point. We had a minor family emergency come up yesterday and I missed out on the trusses. On top of that, I added up the cost of plywood, glue, etc..., and it added up pretty quick. Not quite, but almost half of the cost of new 2x12x24's. So I guess I'll keep an eye out in case anything else pops up, but I'll just plan on going the 2x12 route. Thanks for the suggestions.