{"product_id":"cross-post-cap","title":"Cross Post Cap","description":"\u003cp\u003eA cross post cap joins two beams at 90° on top of one post, where the main beam runs on past the post and a crossing beam meets it from one side. It has a saddle for each beam and a strap down each of two faces of the post. Set your timbers' sizes below, and it's made to fit. Also called a column cross cap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA T, not an X\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeen from above, this joint is a T. The main beam goes straight over the post, and the crossing beam comes in from one side and stops at it. Choose this cap for a post in the middle of a run, where another beam ties in from the side. When both beams stop at the post and turn a corner, you need the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/corner-post-cap\"\u003ecorner post cap\u003c\/a\u003e. When nothing ties in from the side, a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/post-cap\"\u003epost cap\u003c\/a\u003e is enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSizes this cross cap is made in\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMain beam:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3\" to 12\" wide, in a saddle 9\" to 16\" long.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrossing beam:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3\" to 10\" wide, in a saddle 4 1\/2\" to 8\" long.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5\" to 10\", the same for both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePost:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3\" to 15\" wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStraps:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2\" to 6\" wide (the main beam's width at most) and 7 1\/2\" to 10\" long.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBolts:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3\/16\" to 1\".\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crossing saddle sticks out from the middle of the main saddle, and its length is measured from the main saddle's side. Both pockets get 1\/16\" of clearance, and every size steps by 1\/8\". The configurator calls the crossing beam the secondary beam, and it opens on a 6\" main beam and a 4\" crossing beam over a 6\" post.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHoles on a cross cap\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main saddle has a hole 1 1\/2\" from each end of both sides, near the top. The crossing saddle has one hole in each side, 1 1\/2\" from its open end. Saddles taller than 6\" get a second hole under each of those. Both straps carry two holes, 3\" apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLimits the configurator sets\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crossing beam's end is buried against the main saddle, so its bolts are the ones closest to end grain. They stay at least 3 1\/2 bolt diameters from that end. The shortest crossing saddle, 4 1\/2\", takes bolts up to 13\/16\". A 1\" bolt needs a crossing saddle at least 5\" long. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/timber-connector-guide#bolt-end-distance\"\u003ewhy bolts keep their distance from a timber's end\u003c\/a\u003e in our guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main saddle must be at least 6\" longer than the crossing beam is wide, which leaves room for its own bolts on either side. It also has to be 7\/16\" longer than the post is wide. The strap bolts follow the same end distance rule from the top of the post, and the standard 8\" strap satisfies it at every bolt size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuestions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan beams come in from both sides?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot from this configurator. It makes the one-sided cap. For a four-way joint, or a crossing beam wider than 10\", send a drawing through the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us#quote\"\u003equote form\u003c\/a\u003e. We build custom caps from plans and don't charge for the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the crossing beam sit at the same height as the main beam?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Both beams rest on one flat bottom plate, so their undersides are level, and the two saddles are the same height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e3\/16\" A36 steel plate, laser cut and welded in our ISO 9001 shop in Texas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHoles are cut 1\/16\" larger than the fastener you choose. Fasteners aren't included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEnter your timber's real size, not its name. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/timber-connector-guide#measuring\"\u003eHow to measure a timber\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBare steel, or matte black powder coat added in the cart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eShips free in the lower 48 states.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNo published load ratings. Ask your engineer, and see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/timber-connector-guide#load-ratings\"\u003ewhat to give them\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Timberplates","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42191816097949,"sku":"column-cross-cap","price":193.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/5985\/files\/render-column-cross-cap-3575646a.png?v=1791420083","url":"https:\/\/www.timberplates.com\/products\/cross-post-cap","provider":"Timberplates","version":"1.0","type":"link"}