Post and Beam, p2
Cutting the Posts
Once all of the beams have been set, plumbed, and braced, it is time to mark them so they may be cut at the same level to support the beams. To do this we simply set a rotating laser in the middle of the building and marked the laser line on each post. From that line we measured up to the desired height based on six bale courses; here that was 96 inches. Subtracting the distance from the top of the bale curb to the laser line from 88 (96in - beam height) gave us the length of the required distance from the laser line up to our desired cut.
All posts have been set and cut level. The first beams are in place.
After all of the beams were marked, they were taken down, cut to length, and replaced. Measurements were taken at the tops of the posts along each wall and from corner to corner to ensure the posts were set plumb and square, and then they were braced. The posts were now ready to receive the beams.