attaching a bird mouth to the top plate

04-17-2012, 12:13 AM	#1
doobs1998 Newbie   Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate Not too sure if my lingo is proper..my problem is I'm fairly new at building and especially weak in the roof area..I'm building a camp 12x16, I have 3 of 4 walls up and my next step is rafters..I can't figure out how to screw or nail the bird mouth to the top plate..any suggestions would be a big help

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04-17-2012, 12:22 AM	#2
joecaption Member   Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,276	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate It's nailed in place with the nails at an angle. It's called toe nailing.

04-17-2012, 07:40 AM	#3
Joe Carola Framing Contractor   Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,755	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate Quote: Originally Posted by doobs1998 Not too sure if my lingo is proper..my problem is I'm fairly new at building and especially weak in the roof area..I'm building a camp 12x16, I have 3 of 4 walls up and my next step is rafters..I can't figure out how to screw or nail the bird mouth to the top pl ate..any suggestions would be a big help Toenail. Seriously, if you don't know how to fasten a rafter to the top plate you need someone with experience helping you. __________________ Joe Carola

04-17-2012, 07:46 AM	#4
packer_rich Member   Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois, Chicago area Posts: 285	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate Have you already installed the ceiling joists? If you put up rafters without ceiling joists, the walls will bow out and the ridge will sag. The rafters get nailed to the top plate with toe nails and to the ceiling joists also.

04-17-2012, 08:59 PM	#5
woodworkbykirk journeyman carpenter     Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: nova scotia canada Posts: 2,163	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate toenailing in combination with hurricane ties to strengthen the connection

04-17-2012, 11:10 PM	#6
Gary in WA Moderator   Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 8,782	attaching a bird mouth to the top plate Use the first 6 Items: http://publicecodes.citation.com/ico...002_par031.htm Last Chart at bottom and "Adjustment factor" for ceiling joist/rafter nailing: http://publicecodes.citation.com/ico...002_par023.htm Gary P.S. Welcome to the forums! __________________ Clothes taking longer to dry? Clean the dryer screen in HOT water if using fabric softener sheets. They leave a residue that impedes air-flow, costing you money. Clean the ducting in the last six months? 17,000 dryer fires annually!