Can rough but beams be sanded down at one spot to fit strong ties?
My plans called for 6x6 post to connect to 6x8 beams via post to beam Simpson connectors . I had to go with a rough cut saw mill to cut the 6x8 beams because no lumber yards carried it 16 ft long. That leaves me with a 5.5 sanded post to 6 inch rough cut lumber beam. I called Simpson and they said it was a special order bracket because it has to be custom made, probably around $100 a piece.
My question is , would it be okay to take a sander or plainer and take off a 1/4 inch off each side of the rough cut 6x8 (only where the connector fits) so the normal in-stock connector 5.5x5.5 would fit it?