Question:
Aaron-
Thank you for all the helpful info on your website. I just recently purchased a bandsaw mill and am going to start cutting timbers for later use. I am years away from thinking about a specific barn design but know I want to create these post and beam buildings one day. If I am planning to cut timbers, what is the most universal size? For example should I cut a bunch of 6x6s and 8x8s? Just wanting to know what you would cut if you were in my position!
Kevin
Being years out, I would just square all of your logs to whatever dimension makes them square. You just want to get most of the bark off and expose the grain. Try to center the pith so that you can box it later when you saw your final beams. You want to do this so that after the cant shrinks and moves as it’s drying you can saw it square to your final dimension.
Once you get everything squared off, make sure to sticker between each layer so that air can pass through the stack. Paint the ends to avoid drying out too quickly and cracking. If you build from our plans you will end up with some 6×6, 6×8, and 6×10 beams. 3×6 purlins, 2×6 girts 10′ or 12′ long. Lot’s of 1x for loft decking and siding.