On May 6, 3:33*pm, "James" wrote:
Thanks for the nice replies.... I made a mistake in using the word
non-reciprocating... I meant non-sliding.... *one chap caught that....

What is the next size, after 12 *inch ? * * Does it go to *14, or larger ?

BTW, will be cutting dozens of 6 x 6 *beams, so could cut down on work if we
had a saw that can cut in one pass.

Am building outside steps on a slope, in the mountains. *Will build
"squares" *out of beams, and stake them in the ground with rebar. *Will nail
beam squares together wtih 10 inch galvanized spiral nails. *For the
project, it will require a lot of drilling. Thinking about buying a basic
drill press to drill pilot holes first.

James

Are you sure 10 inch nails are long enough?

You might want to consider re-bar. Probably cheaper and can be cut to
lengths that can go through multiple beams and into the ground.