Cross Spars

[Creamcracker]

By that I mean those that run from side to side. I was wondering what most people use for those spars? I'm thinking that 1&1/2 by 1&1/2 is sufficient -- however I can't find wood of that dimension -- I'm thinking that I'm going to have to glue 1"x2" together for the spars -- or can I rip down some good quality stud lumber? but that's going to be pine.. any guidance?
Philip

[TPMcGinty]

By that I mean those that run from side to side. I was wondering what most people use for those spars? I'm thinking that 1&1/2 by 1&1/2 is sufficient -- however I can't find wood of that dimension -- I'm thinking that I'm going to have to glue 1"x2" together for the spars -- or can I rip down some good quality stud lumber? but that's going to be pine.. any guidance?
Philip

2 x 2's are actually 1.5" x 1.5". Does that help?

[mikeschn]

I use 1x2s which actually measure 3/4" by 1 1/2".

I typically use pine without knots, unless it's a critical spar, in which case I'll use poplar or a hardwood.

Mike...

[Gage]

By that I mean those that run from side to side. I was wondering what most people use for those spars? I'm thinking that 1&1/2 by 1&1/2 is sufficient -- however I can't find wood of that dimension -- I'm thinking that I'm going to have to glue 1"x2" together for the spars -- or can I rip down some good quality stud lumber? but that's going to be pine.. any guidance?
Philip

What are you building, a house? My tear is 5' wide and 10 long. I used 1x2 (3/4 x 1 1/2 finish) poplar and laid them flat and a human weighting around 200 lbs has been on my roof with no problem.

[bdosborn]

That's what I used, 1x2's glued together with the glue joint running up and down. Some people have had sagging issues with a single 1x2s spanning 5' wide trailers.



Bruce

[madjack]

...we use 11ply 1/2" plywood for a lot of our constuction...on the last build we cut 1.5" wide strips and glued two together to use as spars...sure seemed to work a treat for us...where we had a seam in our roof covering material and had to run a line of screws to join it, we glued 3 strips together and turned it 90*s so as to have a "solid" board to screw into.............
madjack

[Miriam C.]

I cut mine from a 2x6 and a 2x8 so I could get straight grain and few knots. Cut the 1" wide . It spans the 6'+ without sagging. Have a double for the hatch spar.

[bobhenry]

2x8's 2x10's and 2x12's are generally southern yellow pine in most areas. This wood is approx. 50% stronger than spruce pine fir grade. I cut 1 1/2 x 1/1/2 spars out of #1 syp 2x12's I notched the ends into the side with a 3/4 " deep rabbet. Cut a few extras and let them dry a few days before installing. Grain release is a strange critter. Twists and crowns can appear. I had one that went wild and I had to cut a replacement. My tear is 5'7 out to out wide.

[Creamcracker]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll go with 1" x 2"! Gage - why do you have a 200lb person on the roof

[asianflava]

I did the same as Gage, 1x2 laid wide side down. Perfect for 3/4in insulation. The only place you would get sagging is on the flat areas. I only have a flat area that is wide enough for my fan because of the fan, the spacing is much closer together so I can have something to screw the fan into.

[Gage]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll go with 1" x 2"! Gage - why do you have a 200lb person on the roof

That's a long story for another time. And it wasn't my wife.

[asianflava]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll go with 1" x 2"! Gage - why do you have a 200lb person on the roof

That's a long story for another time. And it wasn't my wife.

Safe answer!

[Jiminsav]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll go with 1" x 2"! Gage - why do you have a 200lb person on the roof

That's a long story for another time. And it wasn't my wife.

Well?..who's wife was it?

[Gage]

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll go with 1" x 2"! Gage - why do you have a 200lb person on the roof

That's a long story for another time. And it wasn't my wife.

Well?..who's wife was it?

I forgot to ask. I was in a hurry.

[bdosborn]

Okay, I admit it. It was ME on Gage's trailer!!




Bruce