Kevin wrote:
These 8' ceiling are closing in on me.

Anyone have experience opening up the ceiling and reshaping the rafters into a
cathedral or stepped-up open box (If that's the right name)?

I'm good with a saw and hammer, and can cut the hell out of boards, but I
know nothing about reshaping rafters and still have them strong enough to carry
the loads.

Is it as simple as adding boards to the rafters that will be in the final shape,
and then removing the sections that you don't need from the old design?

I have no clue what you mean by "reshaping rafters".

While, in general, you can remove ceiling joists and install collar
ties to resist the spreading forces in a gabled roof, there are so many
factors involved that it would be nuts for you to take newsgroup advice
on how to proceed yourself.

I suggest that, if you're equally adept with a phone as the saw and
hammer, that you call an engineer. It might cost you a couple or three
hundred bucks, but he will keep your roof where it's supposed to be.

R