🔨 Spring & Summer 2026 Yard Structure & Timber Frame Bracket Design “Contest” Projects

TinWhisperer · March 14, 2026, 6:54pm

As we head into the spring and summer 2026 building season, I’d like to invite everyone in the community to take part in a friendly design “contest” focused on yard structures and the metal bracketry that holds them together, including timber frame brackets and connectors.

The main idea behind this is making outdoor construction easier for people. Good bracket designs can simplify projects so that builders can assemble strong, reliable structures without complex joinery, specialized tools, or difficult measuring. Simple, repeatable connections can make it much easier for people to build their own sheds, pergolas, and other outdoor projects.

Here’s how it works:

Design a metal bracket, connector, or joint system intended to make building yard structures simpler, faster, and more accessible.

This can include timber frame brackets, post bases, beam connectors, gussets, corner brackets, adjustable joints, or modular connection systems.

Your designs could be used for projects like pergolas, sheds, timber frame structures, raised garden beds, trellises, fences, wood sheds, lean-tos, greenhouses, tool shelters, or other outdoor builds.

The focus is on designs that help people assemble structures more easily—for example:

brackets that reduce the need for complicated cuts
connectors that help align posts and beams quickly
modular systems that allow structures to be assembled with basic tools
hardware that helps beginners build sturdy projects with confidence

You can create completely new designs or improve on existing bracket concepts. Creative remixes and practical improvements are welcome.

Upload your design files to our FireShare website along with a short description of your project. You can also post your design directly in the comments section of this thread.

Feel free to submit as many designs as you like.

Take time to browse other submissions and encourage fellow participants by liking posts and sharing constructive feedback.

The contest will run through the end of July 2026.

There won’t be any official winners—the goal is simply to build a collection of ideas that help make building outdoor structures easier for everyone.

If you decide to fabricate or build any of the submitted designs, please share photos of your finished brackets or the structures they’re used in. Seeing how these ideas work in real-world builds is always the most valuable part.

Remember, the focus is on yard structures, timber frame projects, and especially the metal connectors that simplify construction.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments.

Let’s see what everyone comes up with and have some fun with this year’s spring and summer “contest”!

TinWhisperer · March 14, 2026, 6:56pm

Thought it was about time we had another one of these “contests “ I had ChatGPT help me rewrite it for this time around.

I think it would be great to get some renewed community involvement for 2026!

No matter how big or small the project is, let’s see some posts.

TinWhisperer · March 14, 2026, 7:44pm

To get things started I’ll post a example project.

This is a eighth inch bracket to square a corner between 2 by 4 and give it a solid connection and keep it from Raking.

EXAMPLE PROJECT SPRING SUMMER 2026.f3d (331.1 KB)

EXAMPLE PROJECT SPRING SUMMER 2026 FLAT DXF.dxf (5.5 KB)

Next time I’m out cutting out the machine I’ll make one of these and then bend it on the titan to see if it actually works. That one inside bend might crash but it’s worth giving it a try.

ChelanJim · March 14, 2026, 11:17pm

I am submitting this as a demonstration piece and not a part of this project since I used it on another contest. This is my version of a swingset bracket that is very sturdy and worked well for many years for the daughter’s children. They relocated the swings a dozen times without disassembling. Lag bolts were used vs bolts.

On my version, I plan for the use of bolts that will extend all the way thru the brackets and timbers to sandwich the timber.

You will need to bend the metal and you will need to weld the ‘gusset’ part to the ‘beam’ pieces.

Each beam bracket will require five (5) 3/8” x 4” bolts, nuts and lock washers. Double the quantity for the two ends.

Each leg will require three (3) 3/8” x 4-1/2” bolts nuts and lock washer. (Four legs will require twelve of each.)

To save money, I designed the top beam to be two 2x6’s sandwiched together. I have found that this is certainly as strong and perhaps stronger than a single 4x6 since the two pieces can correct for each other’s flaws.

One last instruction: It might be very difficult to get the gusset part to bend the final bends. Use a spare piece of 4x4, clamp securely and gently beat with a 2 pound mallet. It is not imperative that it is perfect because you will be satisfying the strength with the bolts that go thru and clamps the post between the metal. The best way to get the holes to meet up is to drill 1/2 way from one side and then the other. Once the drill finds the previous hole, that will be the path of least resistance and the bit will try to follow it.

Note: I have NOT used this bracket. I only designed it after I bought the other bracket. I designed it with 1/8” mild steel to be used but I believe 10 gauge would be fine. I believe the brackets I purchased were closer to 12 gauge.

Here is the original bracket and listing:

https://a.co/d/03trBVBa

Here is my version:

SwingSetBracket.f3d (1.4 MB)

SwingSetFlatPanels.f3z (2.1 MB)

TinWhisperer · March 17, 2026, 4:33pm

I took a stab at this swing bracket. I also tried to do it in one piece.

I’m not sure if you could actually bend it up on the Titan in reality without it crashing? but maybe.

swing bracket.f3d (680.0 KB)

72Pony · March 17, 2026, 7:54pm

Very creative making that work all in one piece. I would be interested to see one completed.

ChelanJim · March 17, 2026, 8:31pm

Very clever. I wonder who we know that might happen to have such a device…this “Titan" that ye refer to.

Sounds like a mythical beast!

TomWS · March 17, 2026, 11:18pm

I think you need two of them…

Knick · March 18, 2026, 12:51am

looks like legs could fold outward to me. But remember its me saying this

Just-For-Fun · March 18, 2026, 2:58pm

Let that rotten neighbor kid try it out first…….

Knick · March 18, 2026, 5:08pm

That’s funny

72Pony · March 19, 2026, 12:38am

@TinWhisperer lives in Canada… not sure they have any rotten neighbors up there.

TomWS · March 19, 2026, 1:18am

If they had, I’m sure TW would have ‘solved’ that problem. I’m sure he has only ‘really nice’ neighbors now.

Bigdaddy2166 · March 19, 2026, 10:55am

I don’t think the Tin Man has neighbors. I realize the entire town knows him as the “TinWhisper” and A/C guru. Being from British Columbia, I for the life of me don’t understand the need for A/C? Probably a freaking legend up there.

TinWhisperer · March 19, 2026, 1:47pm

Only in my own mind.

Heat pumps

ChelanJim · March 19, 2026, 3:25pm

So I have revisited my bracket. I don’t like how difficult it would require for precise bending/braking.

And it doesn’t really add to the strength.

It is now in two pieces. All of the edges of the slot joints have dogbones. (Note: I did not recreate the beam pieces in this file so they would need to be grabbed from the other file. If there is any interest, I would combine them. As it is, I see this as an “exploration of ideas.”)