Expert: Dan Griffin - 1/6/2010

Question
Hi Dan,

I am building a pole barn of sorts and using 6 x 6 treated timbers for supports.  I plan to firmly fix each timber in concrete at least 24 inches in the ground.  My question is this:  Laying each one at the exact same height takes a good deal of manipulation in my limited experience.  If I want exactly 8 feet of timber exposed from the ground surface to the roof trusses, this usually means getting a 10 foot timber.  But I do achieve true precision in this.  Handling 10 foot timbers is very difficult, and making adjustments in each hole to get the measurements just right means taking the timber in and out and either adding or removing a bit of gravel each time.  Is it better just to approximate my dirt depth with each one and then achieve precision by cutting all the tops off each one so that I have exactly 8 feet out of the ground?  What would you recommend?  I don't have a lot of extra hands to help me.  And if I do cut off the tops of each timber, how do I get a factory-flush top?  Thanks for your time.  It is greatly appreciated.

Grady

Answer
Grady, it is quite common to custom cut the tops after everything is set.  As you say, it is a bit more difficult to do the cutting up in the air.  Another professional solution that may work best for your needs would be to nail a temporary 2x4's on each side of each post.  These 2x would rest on the ground and can be shimmed to hold each post at the proper elevation.  You will also need to have 2 more 2x to control the tops for plumb.  By using the 2x at the ground, you can keep the posts in line much easier than fighting loose posts.  Hope these ideas helped.

To determine height of posts you can use a "bench mark" on each pole a set distance down from the top to shoot with laser or instrument or work to string line.