Gambrel rafters without gussets?

[kristingreen]

I have an abundance of rought cut 2x6 material that I'm going to use for the rafters on my 8' x 12' shed. I decided that a gambrel roof would be best but I was wondering if I could get away without using gussets if I half-lapped the 2x6's. My concern is that the remaining material will only be 1" thick at the overlap. Should I be concerned?

I'm considering 7 rafters spaced 24" apart to support a roof made from 1" pine boards covered with metal sheet roofing. There may be some minor snow load to consider.

Do need purlins if the roofing boards run horizontally? Do I need gussets if I half-lap the rafters? I tend to over-engineer everything so I'm intentionally trying to minimize.

[Jim_Rogers]

We can't answer any of these questions without running the numbers and figure the exact load on each rafter pair/assembly.

What is the snow load for your area?

Jim Rogers

[isawlogs]

 I would butt joint them and put gussets on both sides. Use plywood 1/2" or 5/8" at least 16" long or better, cut the gussets to match the angle of the 2X6 after you have butt joint them.

[kristingreen]

I would butt joint them and put gussets on both sides. Use plywood 1/2" or 5/8" at least 16" long or better, cut the gussets to match the angle of the 2X6 after you have butt joint them.

Yep... that's what I thought. I was hoping I could get away without gussets given the small size of the roof but as I think about it, it won't be the type of half-lap in which the pieces continue past the joint... this would give it strength as the two pieces would lock together. But without the outside edges, there is nothing to prevent the joint from falling.

Gussets it is.

[isawlogs]

When I wrote to cut the plywood the match the 2x6 .. I mean the outside on the roof side  :P