The built up beam html calls for a 4.5 to 5 inch nail. Where do you find a 5" nail, Lowes no success ???
6" barn nails too much?
The purpose of the longer nail is to tack all the layers together. They are not structurally functional as it is the wood doing the work.
(http://www.countryplans.com/images/nails.jpg)
When I built my cabin foundation beams I used 3 1/4 inch air nailer nails. I built it up one layer at a time, nailing the third and fourth layers to the center two. Mine were 4 layers of 2x, no spacing materials.
Thank You MountainDon i will do the same
Same here as MountainDon did. My pole barn beams were three 2X10s with 1/2" plywood sandwitched for fill. 52' long.
kevin