Top plates.

[Dave Shepard]

There's no such thing. There are plates, purlin plates, and crown plates. I know it sounds like nit picking, but it's important to maintain consistent terminology when discussing design elements. Not pointing out anyone in particular, but have seen it used a lot lately.

[4x4American]

*Ahem*


There is such a thing as top plates.


On saw chain, the top flat part is referred to as the top plate.  Which I what I thought this thread would be about in the first place from the title!

[Dave Shepard]

This is in the timber framing section. ;)

[4x4American]

You people and your sections!

[Jim_Rogers]

Well I guess that all depends on who you are talking to.

There are several different definitions of plates in the glossary of terms, because in England or the UK there are different names for these timbers.

In Germany there are lots of different names for different plates in a timber frame.

My German drawing program lists all kinds of plates.

Here is an example of them:

300/plates layer
   -310/plate
      -311/bottom plate
      -312/midspan plate
      -313/ridge plate
      -314/overhang plate
           -315/chamfered plate
      -316/chamfered midspan plate
      -317/ridge board
      -318/chamf. ridge plate
   -320/purlin
      -321/canted purlin
      -322/canted plate
      -323/common purlin
   -330/rising plate
      -331/rising purlin
      -332/rising purlin chamfered
      -333/rising purlin unchamfered
   -340/plate connector
      -341/plate connector
      -342/post sole plate
   -350/plate post
      -351/king post
   -360/plate post brace
      -361/king post brace

The numbers before these names are so that the program knows exactly which timber you are referring to. And it keeps track of each and every one of them that you use when you select a timber to put into your drawing model frame.
Many of these are even different colors when you draw them.

Every timber in a timber frame gets it's name by it's location in the frame.

I'm not trying to bust your chops, Dave, I'm just stating that in different places there are different names for the same thing.

Jim Rogers

[fishfighter]

Well, I still using TOP PLATES in my build. :D

[Dave Shepard]

Well I guess that all depends on who you are talking to.

There are several different definitions of plates in the glossary of terms, because in England or the UK there are different names for these timbers.

In Germany there are lots of different names for different plates in a timber frame.

My German drawing program lists all kinds of plates.

Here is an example of them:

300/plates layer
   -310/plate
      -311/bottom plate
      -312/midspan plate
      -313/ridge plate
      -314/overhang plate
           -315/chamfered plate
      -316/chamfered midspan plate
      -317/ridge board
      -318/chamf. ridge plate
   -320/purlin
      -321/canted purlin
      -322/canted plate
      -323/common purlin
   -330/rising plate
      -331/rising purlin
      -332/rising purlin chamfered
      -333/rising purlin unchamfered
   -340/plate connector
      -341/plate connector
      -342/post sole plate
   -350/plate post
      -351/king post
   -360/plate post brace
      -361/king post brace

The numbers before these names are so that the program knows exactly which timber you are referring to. And it keeps track of each and every one of them that you use when you select a timber to put into your drawing model frame.
Many of these are even different colors when you draw them.

Every timber in a timber frame gets it's name by it's location in the frame.

I'm not trying to bust your chops, Dave, I'm just stating that in different places there are different names for the same thing.

Jim Rogers

This is why I'm making the argument for consistency.

Are those even timber names, or are those for dimensional construction? I don't see those names used in timber work, and they are not in the TFG definitions. They are just confusing the issue. The only other definition I saw in the TFG definitions was wall plate used in English framing.

[stanwelch]

In the glossary of timber framing terms at the beginning of this section, PLATE is defined.  At the end of the definition is "Also top plate, wall plate"
From this definition, I think either term is appropriate.  Am I missing something?

[Chilterns]

I note that there is an excellent illustrated article - "What's in a name" on pages 4 & 5 of the Autumn 2010 issue of The Oxon Recorder No. 44 that might help those persons struggling with the proper application and use of vernacular nomenclature.

Chilterns