How to Brace Truss Rafters

King Post

• 1

  Measure from the top edge of the bottom cord, or bottom horizontal which runs along the base of the truss from the bottom of one upper cord to the other, to the bottom of the peak where the two upper cords meet in the center. Cut a piece of 2-by-4 lumber to that length, using a circular saw. Mark the center of one end of this piece.

• 2

  Use an angle finder with one arm resting on the bottom edge of each upper cord and the indicator pushed up into the bottom of the peak to measure the angle between the two upper cords. Divide this number by two.

• 3

  Set your miter saw to the divided number. Position the board on the saw with one long edge against the back fence of the saw. Set the board to the right of the blade if the blade is angled to the left of center and visa versa. Align the blade so it will cut through the center mark you made.

• 4

  Cut the first corner off and flip the board over. Realign the blade to the mark and cut off the remaining corner. Fit the king post into the truss so the peak fits under the upper cords and the square bottom edge rests along the top edge of the lower cord.

Webbing

• 5

  Measure from the corner between the bottom of the king post and the top of the lower cord to the underside of the upper cord.

• 6

  Cut two pieces to that length. Mark the center of one end of each piece as you did for the king post. Cut the corners off as outlined in the king post section.

• 7

  Fit the webbing pieces in place, with the flat end against the bottom edge of the upper cords and the peaked end fitted into the joint between the king post and the lower cord.

Truss Gussetts

• 8

  Trace the joints between the truss cords and the ends of your braces onto 12-inch squares of 1/2-inch plywood to create truss plates to attach the joints. Make two for each end of each brace.

• 9

  Cut the trusses out with a jigsaw along the outlines you traced onto the plywood.

• 10

  Apply wood glue to the plywood gussets and position one on each face of each joint. Staple the gussets in place with an air stapler, using one 1-inch staple every 4 inches.