The Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ3-6SDS2.5 CCQ Column Cap is a structural wood connector made for a 3-1/8 inch beam and 6x post. This is a column cap designed for strong wood-to-wood column-to-beam connections. Model Number: CCQ3-6SDS2.5. If you need a cleaner, faster alternative to a bolted post-to-beam connection, this cap gives you an engineered way to tie the beam and post together while adding bearing support under the beam.

What matters here is how the connection works in the field. The seat extends beyond each side of the column, which gives the beam more bearing area and helps distribute load more effectively. For this specific model, Simpson lists allowable loads of 5,370 lb uplift and 21,485 lb download under the published table, so this is not light-duty decorative hardware. It is built for real structural work where the connection has to do more than just hold alignment.

The big advantage over standard through-bolts is the fastening method. This model installs with 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and those screws are included. That gives you a lower-profile connection than bolts and speeds up installation. In practical terms, that means less hardware sticking out, less drilling, and a simpler install process when you are framing or setting timber members.

Simpson also calls out certified welds, which matters because the weld quality is part of what gives this connector confidence under load. The connector is made from 7-gauge steel with a gray paint finish. The heavy steel body, wrapped cap shape, and long side straps are all there for a reason: they keep the beam seated, tie the members together, and transfer load through more of the post instead of relying on a small fastener area.

Jobsite details are well thought out too. The diamond holes for temporary fastening help hold the part in place during setup, which is useful when you are working with larger members and trying to keep everything lined up before final fastening. Simpson also notes increased uplift loads for earthquake or wind loading, which makes this connector especially relevant in builds where uplift resistance is part of the conversation from the start.

This model is for builders, framers, deck crews, pergola builders, and general contractors working on wood structures that need an engineered post-to-beam connection. It is a good fit when you are connecting a 3-1/8 inch beam to a 6x post and want the speed of SDS screws with a stronger bearing seat than basic hardware can offer. If your project calls for a specific structural connector instead of a generic cap, this is the kind of part you buy once and install with confidence.

Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ3-6SDS2.5 CCQ Column Cap Gets the Structural Job Done Cleanly

This is the kind of connector you buy when a basic cap or a field-built bolt-up is not good enough and you want an engineered answer that installs faster.

• Who it's for: Builders and serious DIY users putting a 3-1/8 inch beam on a 6x post in decks, pavilions, timber details, and other structural wood framing.
• Why it stands out: The extended bearing seat, certified welds, and SDS screw install make it more practical than a lot of bulky bolted connections.
• Worth knowing: This is a model-specific connector, so beam and post sizing need to match the part number exactly.

• What size members is this column cap made for? This model is designed for a 3-1/8 inch beam and a 6x nominal post.
• What fasteners does it use? It installs with 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and the product data states those screws are included.
• Is this connector intended for wood-to-wood applications? Yes. Simpson lists the application as fastening wood-to-wood.
• Why would someone choose this over a through-bolted connection? The SDS screws create a lower-profile connection and allow faster installation while the cap seat adds bearing area under the beam.