Attaching a beam to post question?

[gdicks]

Im building a garage using a post and beam foundation.

I have railway ties for my posts and I plan to laminate three 2 x 8's for the beams. Question is how should I attach them to the posts. Ive seen adjustable post bases that will work like these but they are $16 each!

Also regular 6x6 post hardware is too big for the 4.5inch width of the laminated beam.

Any advice here or am I left to pay more for the attachment hardware than the beams will cost?

 

[Rock knocker]

Many questions and points:

1) RR ties as posts? Really.

2) The image above is a post to base connection, you'll need a different one for a beam to post connection. What does your post net to?

 

[lilranch2001]

I would be very hesitant to use RR ties....
I would wonder what that would do to the future salability of the property

 

[square1]

Planning a similar project. My current thinking is the beam / header will have open space equal to the width of the post in the center section at each post location. The corresponding posts' (also (3) laminated 2x6s) outside sections, will be trimmed back to create a mortise & tenon joint.

 

[rkeith]

1) I'd use 6x6 posts anchored in a footing. Where I live railway ties are only good for landscaping and nothing else!

2) You may have to make your own gusset plate or use hurricane brackets to tie the beam to the post. There are several different ways to accomplish this. I (my opinion) would set 6x6 posts and build a 2x10 outer band then use 2x8's for my floor joist at a minimum; my use 2x10's but it depends on the size and use of your garage.

 

[gdicks]

Many questions and points:

1) RR ties as posts? Really.

2) The image above is a post to base connection, you'll need a different one for a beam to post connection. What does your post net to?

1) Is this intended to be helpful? What about this is an issue?

2) The picture above is for attaching a 6x6 post to a flat surface however the adjust ability would make it suitable for 3 laminated 2x8's sitting on the flat surface created by the 6.5 x 9 inch post.

 

[ace10]

I would not, under any circumstances use RR ties for construction. No way, no how. 6X6 PT for the posts if they're coming in contact with ground or are near grade.

This is the portion of the Simpson catalog you need:

Post/Column to Beam for High Wind Resistance

 

[Rock knocker]

1) Is this intended to be helpful? What about this is an issue?

2) The picture above is for attaching a 6x6 post to a flat surface however the adjust ability would make it suitable for 3 laminated 2x8's sitting on the flat surface created by the 6.5 x 9 inch post.

Rail road ties are not suitable

There are other post to beam connectors available. You were the one bellyaching about the price, and asking what alternatives were available.

I think there is a minimum of ten posts before your panties can get in a bunch

 

[gdicks]

Im not bellyaching, I am looking for an actual reason why Ties are not suitable. Not saying you are wrong, just would like to why yo believe them to be a poor choice?

 

[lilranch2001]

The main reason is creosote.
Look it up, its not good stuff

 

[Rock knocker]

It's really basic.

RR ties are not graded, nor are they chose as structural timbers.

 

[hosspuller]

Also ... Used RR ties are on the market for a reason. They are unsuitable for RR use. Meaning they are structurally unsound. You still want to base your structure on them?

 

[forgeblast]

Every rr tie I have is rotted in the middle, the previous owner used them for landscaping. I ripped them up once the wife drove over them 3 times and we had AAA out there to pull her off of them.

 

[roadhunter]

Im not bellyaching, I am looking for an actual reason why Ties are not suitable. Not saying you are wrong, just would like to why yo believe them to be a poor choice?

People use them around here for fence posts all the time. They are strong and do not rot. They work great for corner posts from what I have seen.

I'm also curious as to why some folks say they are not suitable. They may not be the best choice but I think they could work just fine if done correctly. Is it strength they think is the problem? Durability?

People use creosote ties for retaining walls all the time where I have lived and never caused any resale issues that I am aware of. They still sell creosote posts at most farm and ranch supply houses so obviously putting them in the ground is not causing the people who use them any problems.

 

[Rock knocker]

Big difference between a fence or retaining wall, and a structure.

Several reasons have been given, with no reason to repeat them.

 

[ace10]

This project isn't a landscaping project. It's a structure that will contain valuable property and, presumably, human beings. Do it once. Do it right.

Check with the building department and see what they have to say about the proposed post material.

 

[Rock knocker]

I really don't know why people come to a DIY forum (or the similar), and then debate when they don't receive the answer they want

 

[MH8675309]

Railroad ties are excellent for corner posts as they are strong - but there is a difference between the strength it takes to hold barbed wire and the strength it takes to support weight - the kind of weight used in structures. The majority of railroad ties available have been used and are old. Cut a few in half and look at the inside. There is no standard of soundness like as with graded lumber. And, it only takes one rotted post that looked ok on the outside to really make a mess outta things. Many of the Amish where I live will use old utility poles for sheds and lean to type buildings. I would consider them way before I'd ever use R&R ties. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Rock knocker]

View attachment 378621

The problem with these is that you would have to lag into the posts parallel to the long direction of the grains. Structural connections should have their fasteners applied perpendicular to the long direction of the grains ( i.e.: tangential to radial )

 

[gdicks]

I really don't know why people come to a DIY forum (or the similar), and then debate when they don't receive the answer they want

In this case having been provided good reasons why my initial plan was ill advised, I will revise my plan and use a more suitable material so thanks to all who have posted for that.

In the mean time, I dont think debate is such a bad thing. I came to this DIY site to have answers, but I didnt come here to blindly accept the advice without understanding the logic of it simply because someone said so.