The Simpson Strong-Tie BC46 Post Cap is a galvanized steel post cap made for connecting a nominal 4x6 beam to a wood post in light-duty framing. This is a post cap designed for fastening wood-to-wood beam and post connections. Model number BC46. If you want a cleaner, stronger connection than angled nailing and you are working on a deck, patio cover, or similar top-supported structure, this connector does the job without overcomplicating the install.

What matters here is not just that it is steel, but how it handles the connection. The BC46 uses opposing flanges to provide lateral resistance while also helping with uplift resistance at the beam-to-post joint. That gives the connection more support than driving nails at an angle into end grain, and it helps reduce the chance of splitting the post. For anyone framing outdoor wood structures, that is the practical reason to use a dedicated post cap instead of improvising the joint.

The connector is formed from 18-gauge steel and finished in Zinc Galvanized, G90. That makes it a good fit for light-duty applications where you need a purpose-built framing connector without moving up to a heavier bracket than the job requires. Simpson Strong-Tie also notes that the BC series attains its full allowable load with either common nails or pneumatic nail sizes when installed as specified, which matters if you are working from a framing nailer setup on site.

Size is a big part of getting post hardware right, and the BC46 is specifically configured for a nominal 4x6 connection. The listed dimensions for this model are W1 3-9/16 in., W2 5-1/2 in., L1 4-7/8 in., L2 2-7/8 in., H1 3-1/2 in., and H2 2-1/2 in.. In plain terms, that means it is shaped to capture the beam and post faces in the right places so the hardware supports the joint instead of fighting your layout.

Installation is straightforward, but it is one of those products where the details matter. Simpson Strong-Tie specifies installing the BC46 with 0.162 in. x 3-1/2 in. nails or 0.162 in. x 2-1/2 in. nails, and the manufacturer explicitly says to use all specified fasteners. The larger round holes visible in the connector are noted as pilot holes for manufacturing purposes, and bolts should not be installed in them. That is worth calling out because it is the kind of thing that can trip up a first-time buyer looking at the part in hand.

From a jobsite practicality standpoint, this is meant for top-supported installations. It is a good fit where the beam is properly supported and you need a reliable tie at the post connection, but it is not recommended for non top-supported installations such as fences or unbraced carports. That limitation is not a drawback so much as a reminder to use the right connector for the structure you are actually building.

The best buyer for the Simpson Strong-Tie BC46 Post Cap is a deck builder, carpenter, remodeler, or serious DIYer working on wood framing where a 4x6 beam meets a wood post. If that matches your project, this is the kind of connector that saves time, keeps the connection consistent from post to post, and avoids the usual slop and guesswork that comes with site-made fastening methods.

Simpson Strong-Tie BC46 Post Cap Keeps a Simple Joint Honest

If you are tying a 4x6 beam to a wood post and want a cleaner, more dependable connection than toe-nails, this is exactly the kind of hardware you should be using.

• Who it's for: Deck builders, carpenters, remodelers, and DIYers working on top-supported outdoor wood framing.
• Why it stands out: The opposing flange design adds lateral resistance and uplift support in a compact 18-gauge connector made specifically for this beam-to-post job.
• Worth knowing: This is a light-duty connector for top-supported installations, and you need to follow the specified nail schedule. It is not the right choice for unsupported fence-style setups or for swapping nails out with bolts.

• What size connection is the BC46 made for? It is designed for a nominal 4x6 wood-to-wood beam and post connection.
• What fasteners should be used? Simpson Strong-Tie specifies 0.162 in. x 3-1/2 in. nails or 0.162 in. x 2-1/2 in. nails, and all specified fasteners should be installed.
• Can the large holes be used for bolts? No. Simpson states those pilot holes are for manufacturing purposes and bolts should not be installed in them.
• Is this connector suitable for fences or unbraced carports? No. The BC46 is not recommended for non top-supported installations such as fences or unbraced carports.