On Feb 1, 3:32*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
"John" wrote in message
...
Finally, proof load the finished structure.

John

I am going to fishplate most of the connections, too. *That should improve
it greatly. *Without totally using destructive testing, I think it will
handle the load I want.

Steve

I test beams for deflection by clamping two together with spacer
blocks at the ends and pulling them together in the middle.
The best truss design:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss_bridge

jsw