evodawg wrote:
Steve Turner wrote:

Jay R wrote:
I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross
stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4.

I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces.

I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado.
Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and
rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and
that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying
to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by
the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the
structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it
would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal.

What are those stepped dowels I've seen. Bet that would be as strong as
a %#^@ brickhouse.

Looks like it, yeah: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=10483

If only they made them in sizes big enough to go down through a 2x4
standing on edge into a 2x8...

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