How to Build a Pole Barn - Building the Trusses

James shows how to build your own trusses for a pole barn. He uses a web site to design the truss, downloads the truss design in 3D CAD software, then goes through the process of actually building the truss out on his driveway, one at a time.

[@tnewman9037]

Love your dog rolling around in the background. What a great life.

[@JamesPrattOK]

Yea he was a fantastic dog. He loved bird hunting. I have seen him sitting in a duck blind with icicles hanging on his whiskers, eager and ready to go bust through thin ice and get the next duck. Alas he has passed way now.

[@chuckstarwar7890]

The best truss building I've ever seen.

[@russelljohnston4256]

Your the only one I've seen on youtube that has shown how to use the speed square to cut the bottom cord angle. Thank you!

[@xraydelta100]

Same here...listened to you and watched your wonderful dog having a great life with his guy. Nice videos: I learned to use a jig on rafters by watching this one and the geometry reminder. Thank you.

[@joet.plumber3771]

If you’re missing a piece of your jig, I believe your dog is playing with it! I’ve been watching him with a piece in the background!!!!! Great dog brother.

[@dwaynefrench225]

If you use one complete truss as a template and put small side walls on the sides of the truss, you can just lay the pieces in place and nail it together. It's a lot faster than laying each truss out on the chalk lines.

[@vtguy9249]

Great advice! Also give’s a little bit more support also

[@robertbutler8004]

Dwayne French I don't think he was bright enough to think of that.

[@woodrage1]

Factory uses pins on this giant table. Can make a truss in 30 seconds. Then it goes through a roller to press in the plates. It’s neat

[@csidun9087]

Thank you for your information… great job. I’ve always used combination squares but your use of the speed square is pretty cool! Thanks again!

[@ronnielewis1862]

Look's like this goes back 7 year's but I find your instructions very helpful as I'm building a storage building, Thanks for sharing , I understand a truss now to Carry a Snow load now ! Nice showing how to read a speed square!!! 😊😊😊

[@romsam4234]

Good vid, just a quick construction reference, to get square lines just remember these 3 numbers 3'-4'-5' or multiples of those 6'-8'-10', 12'-16'-20'. Using the 3'-4'-5' you snap your first line, mark where you want your intersection to be at, from the mark go back 4' and mark the chalk line, from the first mark take your tape measure and arch out 3' at a rough 90 degree with a pencil, go to your 4' mark and pulling towards your 3' arch, hold the pencil on 5' and arch again, that intersection is a perfect 90 degree angle. It sounds complicated but it's very easy but you need two people

[@danah.320]

Great instructional video's. Thanks for taking so much time and effort to share!!

[@user-er3th6wv6y]

Thanks for making the video. I am going to make my own trusses soon. I intend to use 3/4" plywood gussets and glue/nail them with 8D nails. They will be stronger than the junk engineered trusses I've used before. I am worried about the plates you are using and very worried about the screws you are using. Screws have there place, but not usually allowed where shear is a concern. I don't believe those trusses are near the structural strength required. If one or two fail, that could cause many or all to fail. I would get some opinions fast on that. Remember, just because the building appears fine now, doesn't mean it will handle the next storm. You can probably fix them with plywood gussets and glue and nails. Anyway, good luck and thanks again.

[@Johnnyreengo]

Companies sell “engineered” trusses making a profit off of a stamp. Then they mass produce them with cheap labor and low quality lol

[@billybob5312]

I was just watching the happy dog. Yes what a great life.

[@ronniejohnson317]

I built the first one and put a piece of scrap on all three long boards and built the rest right on top of the first one built. Came straight up with them so I didn’t have to bend as much as I went along.

[@smiley454jmw]

Great video thanks for the information enjoyed watching

[@edsmelly]

This video is worthwhile for the link to Medeek alone. Thanks.

[@donmichael6153]

In Florida, it is against the law to construct your own "TRUSSES" without at a minimum of either a Florida Licensed Structural Engineer's or an Architect's professional seal on the design documents, PLUS have them inspected by that same structural engineer or architect, prior to any erection, as without compliance you could be required to totally remove them out/off of the structure. Building codes have changed and even pole barns are now required to be properly designed for all loading characteristics, noted within the code. Hurricanes in Florida folks, we can't avoid them.

[@jelx1107]

The pup is living his best life back there 😂

[@marcusm.8374]

Love the happy dog ^^

[@glennwilliams15]

Good job brother. Very nice

[@richardsilva-spokane3436]

New sub. Thanks so much! I appreciate your explanations and “plan of attack”. Nice work sir (yes, making your own can be therapeutic) 👍

[@michaelbeck7799]

Just curious, did the building inspector pass these or require an SE to inspect and approve?

[@tnorman288]

I love how his dog is all in it with him haha

[@CrplCon]

This speed square angle stuff is killing me. Thanks for the help at 5:49. This is my kryptonite.

[@PepperDarlington]

The Swanson Speed Square book should be in every man's collection. It's a small pocket guide and has helped me tremendously in both wood and metal working since I use my speed square for steel fabrication as well.

[@jshepard152]

@@PepperDarlington Would that be the "Little Blue Book for Roof and Stairway Layout"?

[@mwesolo1315]

i build this shit everyday idk why im watching this lol

[@woodbldr760northco.4]

Keep calling it Rafter.... Funny. Good vid.

[@wirelessuser4943]

Make a jig for the truss you won't have to cut to fit, make one straight screw wood blocks to the cement and make a repeatable pattern that will be consistant and precise👍

[@maxjacoby3048]

I know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a trick to log back into an instagram account?? I stupidly forgot the account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@kevinnoe4101]

@Max Jacoby Instablaster :)

[@maxjacoby3048]

@Kevin Noe Thanks for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process now. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@maxjacoby3048]

@Kevin Noe it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@kevinnoe4101]

@Max Jacoby Glad I could help :D

[@windygorge1]

what truss cad program did you use? you must not live in an area where you need engineered stamped drawings

[@LeninMAJI]

Hello. thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would really appreciate it if you could help me with a dilemma, I'm from Peru and we don't use that type of construction here. I would like to know what thickness in "mm" are the metal plates that they use around there? And what thickness of wires would you use for a scissor that covers a space of 12 meters (Double Howe)? Can you tell me the measurements in cm? Thanks in advance.

[@Cambo128]

FYI - If you have Siri, then you have an iPhone. When using the calculator, turn the phone on its side and it expands to a scientific calculator which has square root.

[@dangarcia6709]

and after i built my first truss , i left it laying on the driveway and used it as a template and built the other ten trusses right on top of that first one, this insures all the trusses are exactly the same size

[@JamesPrattOK]

That works too. I just chalked out the truss so I could put each one back where the chalk line is at.

[@trevorcrabtree7505]

It's funny I build trusses for a living an this is exactly what we do in certain situations depending on the job idk if you're a builder to but you are right it would save so much time

[@IREFUSE9]

Nice job!

[@zeketeccnc1207]

FYI, Simpson does not rate their Strong Tie plates for truss construction. The four or five screws your using on each end of the plate come nowhere near the shear strength of a press in truss plate. These trusses will fail at the center bottom joint with a heavy snow load.

[@Kaypratt]

So far so good after 6 years.

[@jamesrogers4674]

@@Kaypratt that would be the failure point. Wouldn't hurt to add a couple 1 1/2" × 24" or so metal strap at that joint to at least a few trusses throughout the building. Wouldn't cost much or take much time if you just reinforced truss at each post or every 8' or 10'. I'm no expert but those screws being that close to the end of the boards in a location carrying all the tension would worry me. You have nothing to worry about with compression up top but that bottom tension location could definitely be improved. Just trying to be constructive.

[@curtisyastic4130]

Now they do

[@chriswilliams5268]

Built my Trusses 30 years ago in Northern Maine winters have had zero issues and I used screws. Honestly I'll probably use deck screws when I build a new barn this winter. Heavy deck screws. But all mu farm building Trusses I've built this way. It's important to understand what the difference is between "sheer" strength screws and tinsel strength screws. Still there is the multiplier effect of strength depending on how many screws you use. Mostly the information they give for Truss plates is a CYA and extreme. Still if my snow fall in Maine which is common to get 2-3feet doesn't cause failure I'm not sure which snow load will

[@tommyconner1467]

​@@Kaypratt he didn't know what he was talking about, I've built trusses like this for years and they have held up for over 20 years

[@coburnlowman]

I would like to know what site to use and have it draw them out with measurements. Years back I built a set for a barn. I did as you with my first one. After getting the outside shape laid out and tacked I laid braces inside before cutting them and stood back to eyeball the spacing. Those first braces became the pattern and I cut enough at one time to do every truss. After nailing it together we traced around the entire thing. When I finished nailing one on the first side I'd flip and finish while my wife laid out all the boards in place for the next truss and drop the plates down so all I needed was a hammer n nails. it surprised me how fast they went together.

[@ironsales5669]

What software did you use to figure out where to put the webbing? Can you provide a link? is it free? Thanks

[@kevinwilliams592]

thanks for the video. I'm in the process of building a 24x24 shop and I'm building my own trusses. looks like as far as materials you have 2 12ft 2x6 2 14ft 2x6 and 2 8ft 2x4?

[@silverdevilboy123]

I work at a truss plant in Arizona and use hs and 120MS plates

[@MrRody71]

Thanks bro Great advice 😀👍 Saved me slot of time

[@johnwhite192]

Im building similar but i think i made my peak to strong and heavy i made them up there. I only wanted 4 poles but temporarily put 6. 2 more holding center till im done.. im learning self teach the best and easiest way for a single person with no machine or lyft only couple of wobbly ladders lol the roof is very strong but its probably because all 6 poles if i tear out 2 i don't think it will stand much weight since the roof is so heavy all ready. I added steel plates and still adding stuff. But these press style plates what they make trusses out of if you buy those and screws with washers I wounder if it could hold and might take less screws and the press plates are cheaper way cheaper. Just be aware when it has snow on it i wouldn't be out playing in garage that week lol. But yours looks like it will hold weight. You should see how my grandpa built our house trusses he barely has anything holding the roof up and its been strong and still going for over 80 years. 30 ft 2x4 with only 3 boards along holding it up but he has beams the boards sit on so if roof falls it will never hurt anyone inside without a doubt. 5x8 rough milled beams all wood was rough milled nothing is straight but its strong. It will out last me. The plywood well he has boards but the boards need replacing and put plywood only problem screwing old boards they always split and have no hold power. Would like to make some trusses the right way at home. Cheaply.

[@TheWabusk]

Are these 4:12 pitch and 24’ wide? I like the spread web design.

[@stephanweiss4558]

Wow , loved your video on this . I am also in the process of building a pole barn and would like to build the trusses myself dimensions are 60 feet long and 36 foot wide , I would expect that with 2 foot overhang my trusses would need to be 40 foot long . I live in the Florida panhandle how would I go about getting the engineering for this so I can start building these trusses I see how you did it through that website but I guess you have to have the CAD software and then load the plug-in which I have neither is there someone I can just give those dimensions and location to that you know of I don’t mind paying a fee , any advice or help would be greatly appreciated thank you so much .

[@williammitchell8247]

Not sure if you have found the answer to your question else where or not, however one thing you could do is go to lowes, maybe home depot too, and go to their "Pro desk". I have found that the engineers that they use/talk to can be very helpful. Maybe they could provide you with drawings for a reasonable price.

[@howardludwig9715]

Great Video. I'm surprised more people have not found and viewed this. Can you share what website he uses for calculating the truss designs?

[@chrismalchoff7552]

Does this method actually result in a engineered code approved truss?

[@dewalt459]

Thank you for showing me how to build a rafter , whoops I mean trusses 😅

[@Z71Ranger]

Can you make a video on how to make Rafters?

[@ohadzic6377]

Did you mean trusses 😂

[@l.horseman5704]

Now if you stick build every rafter that is a different story. You have a ridge board at the peak of the roof. On each side their is a rafter that is nailed to that ridge board. Now the rafter size has to be calculated for the width of your building. Which will also be calculated for the pitch of that roof. These things will decide what width of rafter is needed. Could be a 2 x 8, or it could be a 2 x 10, or it could be a 2 x 12 by what ever length which is half the span of the building width. Rafters a home builder can usually make and as long as you understand and know how a rafter is measured, and calculated correctly you will probably be okay. Just because some guy says you can make your own TRUSSES DO NOT BE FOOLED. TRUSSES HAVE TO BE ENGINEERED FOR EACH AND EVERY BUILDING THAT USE THEM. THEY ARE STAMPED THAT THE SAID TRUSS WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD SO MUCH WEIGHT. So check it out with your building inspector and your municipality first before you get youself in way over your head. Just trying to help!

[@boots7859]

Trusses are not really different. There are well known truss templates, with freely available span charts. This vid was ok, even though that top chord where they met looked like it slipped before nailing. Since you normally have to make a decent number of these, it will save you time and effort if you get that first one laid out perfectly, and then use scrap 2x4 to nail 'guides' along the outside of each piece to help the rest of the pieces just require placing in its proper place. Lot of YT vids show this. I can see using a screw on a nail plate to secure it to its member, however the rest should all be nailed with good hefty nails, unless you really want to shell out for 5 lbs of structural screws. You can always go to your box store and simply have them spec you out 1 truss and buy it, and use that for measuring and making your template to copy. Don't buy the cheapest crap 2x4's with knots galore for your trusses.

[@admjlw]

Well, before there were truss making specialty companies, framing carpenters and diyers alike typically made their own trusses. Some of us have and still do.

[@mariomarchigiano528]

Thank you for the information

[@gerrycall9201]

How did you come up with your 6' & 3'8" measurements.

[@772777777777777]

Where the link for the trusss calculator

[@phpprodesign]

im sure you hear this but man - you look like John Candy !

[@JamesPrattOK]

I have lost 50 lbs since I did this video. I started running and eating better 4 years ago. Had open-heart surgery 2 years ago. Now recovered and running marathons and triathlons. And my shop is still standing, still operational, and I love it. And it built it nearly all myself.

[@tombryan1]

Nice Rafters, err, I mean trusses

[@joefrisbie1594]

you don't need siri 3, 4 ,5 triangle is a right angle triangle.

[@coypatton3160]

Joe Frisbie 6’, 8’, & 10’ also works and if measure accurately can be used for greater accuracy or a double check.

[@clsherian]

Yes any multiple of 3,4,5 works.

[@davydTrippleddd]

Where are the mountains ? How do you guys navigate ?

[@jakeconrad11]

You handy dandy speed square appears to be a Johnson product. Definitely not a Swanson judging by the scribe bar . Lovely skilsaw by the way

[@Slick1G3]

in my life of framing I understood the standard roof in areas that have heavy snow a 5 inch pitch is standard to prevent water back up ..

[@o.m.g3944]

Iam doing 5/12 pitch what would the angel be fore the over hang for the fasha ,the over hang is 1foot, thanks

[@badbourbonbob6365]

like the dog

[@JamesPrattOK]

Yea he was a great hunting dog. Retrieved a lot of ducks for me. But he has passed way now. Buried him in the back yard near my now completed shop under a shade tree.

[@davidholz3784]

vary helpfull

[@thetinker3924]

I have never used 2x12's for truses just plain old 2x4's in the snow country of northern Wisconsin never had a 2x4 truss collapse

[@Johnnyreengo]

You can really stretch with some 2x4 trusses. But it seems around 24’ span ppl start switching to 2x6s

[@mariomarchigiano528]

Ok thanks I'll try out that site

[@GeneralMe100]

actually screws have a lower shear strength than nails, nice trusses though.

[@julier1080]

Correct. These would not meet engineering spec.

[@floridagunrat1625]

Actually, it depends on the specific type of screw. These trusses absolutely would not meet code in my area, but some localities have little or no requirements for agricultural type buildings. The most likely failure point on these trusses would be the bottom chord joint, as it is under tension.

[@vperrino88]

Pitch is described as rise over run. 4/12 is not 1 on 4... That would only be 3/12

[@TheAsphaltCowboy47]

what is the URL to the website you mentioned that does calculations for webs.

[@vinaybsx843]

Is this work for 7 m opening on side to side?

[@gtdodgeviper]

Rafter lol here's how many times you said it. I was laughing so hard. 00:01, 00:33, 00:44, 01:00, 02:19, 04:22, 4:27, 6:22, well i got bore so i stopped.

[@gtdodgeviper]

Haha funny.

[@wrendatello6963]

I need clases Trossas please where ?

[@dwpeveto5532]

Did anybody notice his work bag suspenders are backwards 😂😂

[@believeme5903]

The proper plates are called gang nails and you can still screw them in. Your bottom cord is overkill, 2x4 can do it, did you get a hold of a truss company they would give you the proper layout. Yours are overbuilt.

[@nehasonkar5291]

nice

[@Derp3D]

Truss , got it lol

[@sharkbittenjf]

After building the first I make a jig. Cut all your parts and start building

[@dekayla01]

do you have a pole barn update video

[@believeme5903]

the website www.design.medeek.com is no longer working, can you recommend another site to calculate some trusses I wish to build.

[@julier1080]

design.medeek.com/calculator/calculator.pl

[@milliken85]

i think your suspenders are on backwards lol

[@bstevermer9293]

russell milliken Hahahahah

[@andrey33region29]

Мужик какая длинна этой фермы?

[@mikemireles5301]

Does anyone know what the most commonly installed truss for new construction residential homes are?

[@kwakman99]

Most common truss will depend on what the roof will need to handle weather wise. Ask when you call to obtain your building permit, they would know what is common with respect to the municipal construction code requirements and roof loads if any.

[@floridagunrat1625]

Fink and Howe are the most common truss designs.

[@kadik2371]

Лайк. Super

[@keliweisgerber3896]

I know you can get solutions for that on woodprix website.

[@wendylammington6264]

These plans are awesome. Thanks Keli for that comment. All the best to You!

[@charliewhite5675]

wheres the framing square James ? lol

[@johnsobj]

What tool “belt” do you have/recommend? Thx for vid.

[@timothydennis9910]

It is a good video but using metal plates with 1 3/4 screws does not I believe secure the truss members good enough. I have seen plywood made as gussets by gluing and nailing but even that I would be concerned. The manufacturers of wood string roof trusses use special metal plates with hundreds of shank like projectiles that pertrude from the plates and are imbedded into the truss members while a machete holds the truss members stationary and very tightly together. The machine that presses the plates into the truss members uses several tons of force this causes the plate to me almost perminatly fastened to the truss members. I have tried to take these professional trusses apart and you literally have to destroy the wood truss members to do it.

[@mitchellbuss2424]

yes and no. plywood gussets are used extensively for truss repair, engineer approved. his gussets should be a little larger but should work fine.

[@julier1080]

Have you ever tried to tear apart a truss with glued and nailed plywood gussets? They work very well.

[@mhdairyfarm2911]

@@mitchellbuss2424 we built our dairy Barn almost 20 years ago with homemade trusses with three quarter inch plywood gussets and just nail The living daylights out of them roof was not sagged one bit 5 years ago we had a huge snowstorm with 6 ft of snow on the roof and it never sagged an inch.

[@mitchellbuss7854]

@@mhdairyfarm2911 no doubt. I've built and repaired many trusses over the years with trusses it's all about the connection. I've seen them with a circular ring and bolts through them circular groove for the rings. They were in a church 60 70 years old

[@josephbohme7917]

Rafters... Trusses... er ratfters trusses oh shit -you know- or why else would you be watching. This is the American way of doing things.... (when friends are few; and money is tight) alone.

[@dangarcia6709]

I built my own trusses for half of what I could of bought them for

[@yangkevin4965]

looks quite loose

[@scottmiles3362]

What do you do about wood that splits when you use those screw?

[@boots7859]

LOL, either pre-drill or tap the tip of a nail with a hammer and then drive the nail. Possibly buy better wood.

[@scottmiles3362]

@@boots7859 nope

[@jamesr.riverasr.4678]

That's a lot of gear

[@4375-d6i]

It's a Dog's LIFE.

[@mariomarchigiano528]

I was one if you give me the website for that trust program thanks

[@JamesPrattOK]

design.medeek.com/calculator/calculator.pl

[@JamesPrattOK]

design.medeek.com/calculator/calculator.pl

[@pcking2008]

Carpenter dog "video bombing" and playing with a piece of wood....cute

[@JamesPrattOK]

Here is the site I used to calculate my truss design: design.medeek.com/calculator/calculator.pl

[@starrstewart7083]

I made it with woodprix handbooks !

[@diederichabels8119]

You'll find all the inspiration you need on Stodoys plans.

[@asmkaynak9036]

danki

[@connermonier8669]

My works too. Used WoodPrix handbooks and build it with no problems.

[@l.horseman5704]

FYI ...Do not build your own trusses here is why! Trusses are engineered and have to be made too specs. Your building inspector will not sign off to approve your BUILDING. Trust me i sold trusses. I am sure throughout U.S.A. their is a building inspector that you will have to go and apply for a BUILDING PERMIT for said structure or structures. That said most LIKELY you will have to supply a set of plans as well.

[@Kaypratt]

Shop is still standing 6 years later, and I did get a building permit and inspection with no problems.

[@l.horseman5704]

Well you were very lucky my friend.

[@jeffbrothers666]

truss not rafter ole man...haha

[@MikelSpace]

If someone is trying to build a hand cut truss, I guarantee they have common knowable of a speed square LOL thank you tho. Appreciate the tips

[@differenthandyman938]

This illustrates the danger of learning from KZbin videos. Anyone can post anything with no control. This is not a structurally sound way to build trusses. These plates won’t hold, especially with screws. There are two approved types of gussets, plywood with glue and nails (DIY) and mending plates where multiple teeth are pressed into the wood (factory made). Please be a decent human being and remove this video before someone learns from it and gets killed by a collapsed roof.

[@doctorpsychoscience5872]

I agree.

[@joekotofskyBush_Pilot]

One strong storm...your trusses will collapse. 😒

[@JamesPrattOK]

Seven years later with lots of Oklahoma storms. Still standing. Maybe someday they will collapse.

[@doctorpsychoscience5872]

@@JamesPrattOK How thick are those plates and what kind of screws?

[@floridagunrat1625]

The basic truss design is solid. The wood type and grade is unknown. The joint connections are substandard. The use of 2x6 rather than 2x4 lumber is overkill. What you have to remember is that the basics of any common construction design has a significant safety factor built in to accommodate for shotty workmanship, improper materials, and missing fasteners, etc. Additionally, the roof works as a system in its totality. Loads from a weak truss will be shared through the decking to neighboring trusses. While not ideal, it allows the building to still function.

[@jessicasommy1741]

I know that woodprix has the best woodworking plans ever.

[@puryeareaker7975]

Great to see that woodprix has new instructions to save my money and energy to build it.

[@Slick1G3]

so how do you center them on your building ??