8 X 12" Ridge beam

[alanh]

My son is modifying his stick built garage into living space. He wants to eliminate some collar ties and raise up the rest to get the cathedral ceiling look. its a 26 ft span but there will be a post at the 16/10. I was going to make an 8x12 beam on 8x8 posts with knee braces to support the existing ridge, the plan is to cut the angles on top to match the rafters and router a 2' groove down the center to fit around the existing ridge board. the plan was to use pine but I just landed some nice strait (for now) hickory logs. Would the hickory be stronger\ better or should I not bother with the devil wood and use the pine?

[Don P]

It's not just that. The top chords, rafters, are only sized to span from one web member to the next panel point not the entire length from ridge to heel. You will also need to install large enough rafters, which can be on hangers on a properly sized ridgebeam. If you want to proceed with the thinking process, what is the building width and snow load?