Cross lap joints are a great solution when you want to create clean, continuous lines in a timber frame. The edges of the joint are completely flush, making it almost appear that the timbers are magically connected. To create a cross lap joint, you cut halfway through the width of both timbers that you are connecting , and they slide together into an extremely solid joint.
While this fully housed mortise and tenon joint does not have the dramatic effect that a diminished housing does, it offers a simpler look with a more traditional feel. It is the style I chose for the construction of my home …
A diminished housing offers a way to dress up your frame as well as take less time to cut in the shop. Here is a example of one using a 1″ shoulder.
This is an exploded view of a rafter foot and seat on a plate – a rafter seat housing. Here you can see the plate with post below. And the rafter with a notch cut into the back side of …
Tie Beam Tenon to Post – This is an exploded view of a half dovetail tie beam tenon and the post it connects to. The housing in the post is a diminished haunch. The wedge is usually made of hardwood.