Start with the Simpson catalog. If they don't have one, then you're looking
at custom steel fabrication. If you can do it, do it. Else you're going to
wind up asking contractors who they use, and farming it out. It isn't so
much the cost as the delay, those guys can have delays of several weeks. I
live in the Seattle area and do this kind of work for some builders, owning
an ironworker and welder and having the requisite skills. I find that my
work is well valued. The commercial vendor in this area is Allied Steel
Fabricators in Redmond, Washington. But you probably don't live here. - GWE

Gary Brady wrote:

Lane wrote:

"ldg" wrote in message
...

I've been lurking this group for a few weeks in hope of answering my
own questions from your experience, but I'm a little to dense to solve
this apparently.

I need patio brackets.

I hired a guy to make plans for several additions to the house, one
being a tile covered patio. This patio looks simple enough on paper.
it has 6 posts, with 4 being at 45 degree angles. The framing is 6x6
lumber, and there are 2 large trusses made with these large beams that
span the 20 foot width.

The problem is no one seems to make 45 degree brackets to hold the
wood up.

My carpenter found a local blacksmith who can make the brackets, but
his schedule is such that I'm probably not going to get the thing done
this year. My wife is upset and that, believe me, is not a good
thing.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I did some welding about 30 years ago. I suppose I could buy an arc
welder and plasma cutter, then just do the job myself. (To tell the
truth this is appealing.) The problem is I'm not in the least
artistic. How can I make a simple, yet decorative set of brackets?

I looks at though a fairly simple jig could be made of the decorative
cuts in some sort of (ceramic?) guide, then the shape could be cut out
with a plasma cutter. This would leave straight welds, which I could
probably handle.

Am I way off base?

Thanks for any help.

It's ok to make fun. I deserve it by now. Anyone that would pour
concrete in 45 degree corners and not research the entire patio parts
list ahead of time should be made fun of. :-)

From this group, I've sort of settled on the Miller 625 plasma cutter
and the Miller 210 welder. The cost is still considerable less than
having the brackets made. What do ya think?

Regards.
Larry



Take a look at this website http://www.strongtie.com/
Simpson makes many types of beam hangers, some set at 45deg and some
adjustable. You can probably find what you want here.

Gary Brady
Austin, Tx