Abstract: A timber beam is formed by butt-joining timber lengths (19) using a pair of joining plates (12) each of which extends around three sides of the abutted timber lengths. Each joining plate has a base section (14) and two side sections (16), at least the side sections each having a plurality of projections (17) extending therefrom. The base section has either additional projections (17) or holes (25) through which fasteners (20) engage to secure the base section to co-planar surfaces of the abutting timber lengths (19). The joining plate is formed with the base and side sections (14,16) co-planar or with the side sections (16) extending at an angle to the base section (14). A press plate (21) forces the base section (14) against the co-planar surfaces of the abutting timber lengths with any projections (17) extending therefrom embedded in the timber.

Abstract: A timber beam is formed of butt-joined timber lengths using at least one joining plate which extends around three sides of the abutted timber lengths. The joining plate has a base section and two side sections at least the side sections each having a plurality of projections extending therefrom. The base section has either additional projections or holes through which fasteners engage to secure the base section to co-planar surfaces of the abutting timber lengths. The joining plate is formed with the base and side sections coplanar with the side sections extending at an angle to the base section. A press plate forces the base section against the co-planar surfaces of the butting timber lengths with any projections extending therefrom embedded in the timber. Rollers or presses act on the side sections to bend them around the timber lengths to embed the projections extending therefrom into opposite sides of the abutted timber lengths.