← Watervliet Brothers’ Dormitory
Watervliet Brothers’ Dormitory — materials
A rough list to take to a sawmill. The frame is cut green — full-sawn timbers straight from the log — and pinned with dry oak pegs: as the timbers dry they shrink onto the pegs, and the drawbored joints pull tighter. The mill cuts every stick to its section and length; the framer cuts the joints.
Each length is the piece’s cut length plus 10 in for tenons and trimming, rounded up to the foot. A piece longer than 24 ft is ordered in two or more lengths joined by a scarf (A2-16), except a post or a rafter is not scarfed. Board feet are full-sawn: width × depth × feet ÷ 12. Sizes follow the model, which is proportioned from measured drawings, not engineered — a frame that will carry a load is sized by an engineer first.
| Section (in) | Length (ft) | Pieces | Board feet | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 9 1/2 | 20 | 4 | 760 | first-floor girder, across at a bent |
| 9 × 9 | 8 | 4 | 216 | cellar post under a cross girder |
| 8 × 9 1/2 | 20 | 8 | 1,013 | sill, front wall · sill, rear wall · sill, gable end |
| 11 1/2 × 6 | 20 | 12 | 1,380 | gable end girt, north gable · gable end girt, south gable · cross girt at a bent · cross girt at a bent, the king-post truss's tie |
| 8 1/4 × 8 | 12 | 2 | 132 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder |
| 8 × 8 | 19 | 12 | 1,216 | wall post, front and rear walls (corner and bent) |
| 8 × 7 | 20 | 6 | 560 | wall plate |
| 6 × 8 | 12 | 2 | 96 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder |
| 6 × 8 | 11 | 4 | 176 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to girder |
| 6 × 6 | 14 | 4 | 168 | wall girt, bay 5 (front and rear) |
| 6 × 6 | 12 | 8 | 288 | wall girt, bay 2 (front and rear) · wall girt, bay 3 (front and rear) |
| 6 × 6 | 11 | 4 | 132 | wall girt, bay 1 (front and rear) |
| 6 × 6 | 5 | 4 | 60 | wall girt, bay 4 (front and rear) |
| 6 1/2 × 5 1/2 | 11 | 1 | 33 | king post |
| 6 × 5 1/2 | 11 | 6 | 182 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder |
| 5 × 6 | 9 | 1 | 22 | stairwell header |
| 5 × 6 | 7 | 1 | 18 | stairwell header |
| 5 × 6 | 3 | 6 | 45 | chimney header |
| 5 1/4 × 5 1/2 | 13 | 2 | 63 | principal rafter (king-post truss), under the common rafters |
| 5 × 5 | 12 | 2 | 50 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder |
| 5 1/2 × 4 | 11 | 2 | 40 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to girder |
| 4 × 5 1/2 | 14 | 32 | 821 | common rafter (32.0°, 7.5/12) |
| 4 × 5 1/2 | 13 | 4 | 95 | common rafter, headed off at a roof opening |
| 4 × 5 1/2 | 7 | 4 | 51 | roof header at a chimney |
| 3 × 7 | 14 | 9 | 220 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to sill |
| 3 × 7 | 5 | 9 | 79 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder |
| 3 × 6 | 14 | 20 | 420 | floor joist, girt to girt · chimney trimmer, either side of the stack |
| 3 × 6 | 12 | 17 | 306 | floor joist, girt to girt · stairwell trimmer, front and rear of the opening · chimney trimmer, either side of the stack · chimney tail joist, girt to header |
| 3 × 6 | 11 | 36 | 594 | floor joist, girt to girt |
| 3 × 6 | 9 | 4 | 54 | chimney trimmer, either side of the stack · stairwell tail joist, cross girt to header |
| 3 × 6 | 8 | 4 | 48 | stairwell tail joist, cross girt to header |
| 3 × 6 | 7 | 1 | 10 | chimney tail joist, girt to header |
| 3 × 6 | 5 | 16 | 120 | floor joist, girt to girt · stairwell trimmer, front and rear of the opening |
| 3 × 6 | 4 | 3 | 18 | chimney tail joist, girt to header |
| 2 × 8 | 21 | 1 | 28 | ridge board, on edge |
| 2 × 8 | 19 | 1 | 25 | ridge board, on edge |
| 2 × 8 | 13 | 1 | 17 | ridge board, on edge |
| 3 × 5 | 7 | 6 | 52 | tie brace, post to the attic tie |
| 3 × 4 | 11 | 4 | 44 | opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) |
| 3 × 4 | 10 | 4 | 40 | gable stud from the floor-3 girt, top cut to 7.5/12 |
| 3 × 4 | 9 | 70 | 630 | wall stud, front and rear, first story · opening jamb stud, full story · gable stud, first story · opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) |
| 3 × 4 | 8 | 70 | 560 | wall stud, front and rear, second story · opening jamb stud, full story · gable stud, second story · opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) |
| 3 × 4 | 6 | 4 | 24 | gable stud from the floor-3 girt, top cut to 7.5/12 |
| 3 × 4 | 5 | 48 | 240 | wall stud, front and rear, story 3 · cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header |
| 3 × 4 | 4 | 69 | 276 | opening header · window rough sill · cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header |
| 3 × 4 | 3 | 30 | 90 | cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header · opening header · window rough sill |
| 3 × 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header |
| 3 × 3 | 5 | 4 | 15 | knee brace, corner post to plate (45°), inner half of the wall |
11,533 board feet of green timber in 568 pieces.
4 members are longer than a 24 ft stick and are scarfed.
Pegs: 210 of dry oak, 1 in by 12 in, estimated joint by joint — order a tenth over. Keys: 12 dry oak keys for the tusk tenons.
Boards: floors about 2,737 sq ft at 1 in thick (≈2,737 board feet); roof boards about 1,320 sq ft at 1 in (≈1,320 board feet). Add for waste.
Not in this list: stone, brick and mortar; siding, trim, windows and doors; roofing; nails. Nothing here is priced.
Cut list, piece by piece
| Piece | Qty | Section (in) | Cut length (in) | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cellar post under a cross girder | 4 | 9 × 9 | 77 | A6-22 foot on a stone pad · head under the girder, A6-02 tenon |
| Sill, front wall | 1 | 8 × 9 1/2 | 623 1/2 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Sill, rear wall | 1 | 8 × 9 1/2 | 623 1/2 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Sill, gable end | 2 | 8 × 9 1/2 | 222 1/2 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner |
| First-floor girder, across at a bent | 4 | 12 × 9 1/2 | 222 1/2 | A6-17 tenon into the front sill · A6-17 tenon into the rear sill; on the cellar post |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to girder | 4 | 6 × 8 | 119 5/8 | A3-16 housed into the north sill · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to girder | 2 | 5 1/2 × 4 | 119 5/8 | A3-16 housed into the north sill · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder | 2 | 5 × 5 | 125 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder | 2 | 8 1/4 × 8 | 125 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder | 2 | 6 × 8 | 125 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder | 6 | 6 × 5 1/2 | 120 1/4 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to girder | 9 | 3 × 7 | 41 3/4 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, girder to sill | 9 | 3 × 7 | 152 3/4 | A3-16 housed dovetail into the girder · A3-16 housed into the south sill |
| Wall post, front and rear walls (corner and bent) | 12 | 8 × 8 | 216 1/8 | A6-22 foot on the sill · A6-02 head tenon into the plate; A6-05 girts housed and pegged |
| Wall girt, bay 1 (front and rear) | 4 | 6 × 6 | 121 5/8 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 2 (front and rear) | 4 | 6 × 6 | 129 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 3 (front and rear) | 4 | 6 × 6 | 124 1/4 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 4 (front and rear) | 4 | 6 × 6 | 45 3/4 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 5 (front and rear) | 4 | 6 × 6 | 154 3/4 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Knee brace, corner post to plate (45°), inner half of the wall | 4 | 3 × 3 | 45 3/8 | A6-03 foot on the post · A6-03 head under the plate |
| Wall stud, front and rear, first story | 26 | 3 × 4 | 87 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon into the sill · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Opening jamb stud, full story | 58 | 3 × 4 | 78 1/2 – 87 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon · A2-07 stub tenon |
| Opening header | 35 | 3 × 4 | 21 – 34 | A2-07 into the jamb · same |
| Window rough sill | 33 | 3 × 4 | 21 – 28 1/2 | A2-07 into the jamb · same |
| Cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header | 35 | 3 × 4 | 6 – 44 3/8 | A2-07 stub tenon · butts the rough sill or header |
| Wall stud, front and rear, second story | 28 | 3 × 4 | 78 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon into the girt · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Wall stud, front and rear, story 3 | 46 | 3 × 4 | 38 1/8 | A2-07 stub tenon into the girt · A2-07 stub tenon into the plate or top girt |
| Gable end girt, north gable | 2 | 11 1/2 × 6 | 222 1/2 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Gable stud, first story | 10 | 3 × 4 | 87 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon into the sill · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Gable stud, second story | 10 | 3 × 4 | 78 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon into the girt · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) | 12 | 3 × 4 | 74 1/2 – 111 | A2-07 stub tenon into the end girt · cut to the rake under the end rafter |
| Gable stud from the floor-3 girt, top cut to 7.5/12 | 8 | 3 × 4 | 58 – 103 7/8 | A2-07 stub tenon into the end girt · birdsmouthed under the end rafter |
| Gable end girt, south gable | 2 | 11 1/2 × 6 | 222 1/2 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Cross girt at a bent | 7 | 11 1/2 × 6 | 222 1/2 | A6-05 into the front post · A6-05 into the rear post; A6-32 summers, A3-16 joists |
| Floor joist, girt to girt | 76 | 3 × 6 | 42 1/4 – 151 1/4 | A3-16 into the girt · same |
| Stairwell trimmer, front and rear of the opening | 5 | 3 × 6 | 42 1/4 – 125 1/2 | A3-16 into the girt · same |
| Chimney trimmer, either side of the stack | 8 | 3 × 6 | 89 1/2 – 151 1/4 | A3-16 into the girt · same |
| Stairwell header | 2 | 5 × 6 | 68 3/4 – 93 1/2 | A2-08 tusk tenon into the trimmer · same |
| Chimney header | 6 | 5 × 6 | 21 3/4 | A2-08 tusk tenon into the trimmer · same |
| Chimney tail joist, girt to header | 6 | 3 × 6 | 26 1/4 – 131 1/8 | A3-16 into the girt · A3-16 dovetail into the header |
| Stairwell tail joist, cross girt to header | 6 | 3 × 6 | 83 7/8 – 89 1/2 | A3-16 into the girt · A3-16 dovetail into the header |
| Cross girt at a bent, the king-post truss's tie | 1 | 11 1/2 × 6 | 222 1/2 | A6-05 into the front post · A6-05 into the rear post; A6-32 summers, A3-16 joists |
| Wall plate | 2 | 8 × 7 | 623 1/2 | A6-02 on the post heads · same; scarfed A2-16 over a post |
| Common rafter (32.0°, 7.5/12) | 32 | 4 × 5 1/2 | 154 5/8 | A6-20 seat on the plate, 10 in tail · A6-48 butted to the ridge board, nailed |
| Common rafter, headed off at a roof opening | 4 | 4 × 5 1/2 | 137 5/8 – 138 3/8 | A6-20 seat on the plate, 10 in tail · A3-16 into the roof header |
| Roof header at a chimney | 4 | 4 × 5 1/2 | 68 7/8 | A2-08 tusk tenon into the trimmer rafter · same |
| Ridge board, on edge | 1 | 2 × 8 | 206 7/8 | A6-48 flush with the end pair · against the chimney |
| Ridge board, on edge | 1 | 2 × 8 | 238 3/8 | against the chimney · against the chimney |
| Ridge board, on edge | 1 | 2 × 8 | 145 7/8 | against the chimney · same |
| King post | 1 | 6 1/2 × 5 1/2 | 115 3/8 | A6-13 housed stub tenon on the tie, pegged · A6-24 jowled head, a joggle each side for a principal |
| Principal rafter (king-post truss), under the common rafters | 2 | 5 1/4 × 5 1/2 | 141 3/4 | A6-23 heel tenoned into the tie · A6-24 head in the king post's joggle |
| Tie brace, post to the attic tie | 6 | 3 × 5 | 67 5/8 | A6-03 head tenon into the post, under the plate · A6-03 foot tenon into the tie |