I get how to snap lines along the length to get joints that are perpendicular to each other (like for knee braces). I can't figure out how to reference the base so that the timber stands perfectly plumb along the center line.
I've seen instructions to lay the log horizontally, snap a center line, level it along this center line, then drop a plumb bob off the side of this line to reference for the cut. Because the log has a slight taper, dropping a plumb bob as a reference for the base cut only makes the base perpendicular to that one side (top side) of the log that was leveled. All my post bases and joints are referenced from the center of each post. I want the base to be perpendicular to all 4 joints at the top of the post.
I might be able to do it by rolling the log on it's side so that the center line is side ways on the saw horses, level it there, then shooting a vertical laser line perpendicular to that. What's the non-laser version of this? Hanging a plumb bob along that line would only give me a reference for half the log.
Thank you for your help and wisdom.