As soon as this first truss is up, it is braced in position temporarily, as in
Illustration I . The second truss is then raised in like manner, and as soon as
it is up the girts are added, as shown in Illustration 2.
Then one after the other the trusses are put in place, the girts being spiked
on as you go along. The last two trusses, when laid in position for raising,
will project over the end of the barn. The projecting portion is supported by
temporary props, which are removed when the truss is being raised. The end
girts can be added at any time convenient.
How much simpler than the old-time barn raising, when heavy timbers
were in common use. No longer is there need for getting together thirty to
forty men for the raising of a medium-sized barn! Today, a half-dozen men
will put up the plank frame in less time than thirty or forty could in the
old days.
To put on the plates no scaffolding is needed, since it is not difficult to
climb up on the truss itself.
Next the purlines are put in place, raised to position with block and tackle.
Before putting on the rafters and cornice, the siding is nailed on ; it can be
done more conveniently before the rafters and roof boards are in place, there
being nothing to interfere with nailing on the boards under the cornice.
