42 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking September 2019 http://www.getwoodworking.comCollar-tie roof truss jointWOODWORKER’S
ENCYCLOPAEDIAPART 7
In the next part of this series, Peter Bishop continues
to look at everyday terms and phrases used within
and about the timber and associated industriesPhotograph courtesy of American Woodworking
Supplies and Custom Hardwoods –
http://www.americanwoodworkingsupply.comI
n part 7, we cover excessive claims, through
explosive stuff, and on to chasing things
around and about. There must be more to
working with wood than you can imagine!Carpenter’s boast
Not a boastful carpenter telling you how good
he is, but a specific type of joint used in roof
structures. The collar-tie is the horizontal length
of timber that binds two opposing rafters together
to stop them splaying out or bowing. The collar-tie,
traditionally, was jointed to the rafters with a half
dovetail housing joint called the carpenter’s boast.
This prevented slippage and the dovetail naturally
tightened as downward pressure was exerted.
Carpentry
When working with wood, people often get
confused when describing what they do or
what they are looking for. Carpentry is simply
the structural part of woodwork in buildings,
engineering woodwork, and any associated
preparation of materials for these items.