Key Features

Higher Uplift Strength Built for demanding beam-to-post connections, this column cap has increased uplift capacity for wind and earthquake loading. That matters when the connection needs to resist pull-apart forces, not just carry weight straight down. SDS Screw Installation The Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ4.62-5.50SDS CCQ Column Cap installs with included Strong-Drive SDS connector screws instead of standard through-bolts. You get a lower-profile connection and faster installation with less hardware sticking out. Extended Bearing Seat The extended seat adds bearing surface beyond each side of the post so beam loads are spread more effectively. In plain terms, it helps support the connection where the load is actually being transferred.

Overview

The Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ4.62-5.50SDS CCQ Column Cap is a steel wood-to-wood connector for tying a triple 2x beam to a 6x post. This is a column cap designed for strong beam-to-post connections in wood construction. Model Number: CCQ4.62-5.50SDS. If you are building a structural post-and-beam connection and want a cleaner, lower-profile install than standard through-bolts, this is the hardware meant for that job.

What sets this CCQ column cap apart is the way it combines load path strength with faster installation. It uses 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and those screws are included with the connector. Compared with bolt-based connections, the SDS screw approach gives you a lower profile and cuts down on the extra hardware sticking past the post or beam faces. On a real build, that means less fuss during fit-up and a cleaner finished connection.

The seat is the part that matters here. Simpson designed the CCQ with an extended bearing seat that projects beyond each side of the post, giving the beam more supported surface area. That helps distribute the beam load into the post instead of concentrating it at a smaller contact point. For this specific model, the connector fits a 4-1/2 inch beam width and a 6x post application, making it a good match for triple 2x beam assemblies.

For structural performance, this model carries published allowable loads of 6,785 lb uplift and 30,940 lb download for DF/SP conditions from the provided load table. Those are the numbers buyers actually care about because they tell you this is not just a decorative bracket. It is a load-rated structural connector built for real framing demands, especially where uplift resistance matters.

Material and construction are straightforward and jobsite-focused. The CCQ4.62-5.50SDS is made from 7-gauge steel and finished in Simpson Strong-Tie gray paint. Certified welds add confidence where the straps and seat come together, and the diamond holes allow temporary fastening during setup. That makes layout and positioning easier before the full screw pattern is installed.

Installation is specific. Simpson states this connector should be fastened with the provided 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and that lag screws will not achieve the same load. That is worth paying attention to. If you buy this connector for its published capacity, you want to install it with the hardware it was engineered around. For this model, the load table lists 16 screws total.

In practical use, this Simpson Strong-Tie column cap makes sense for decks, pavilions, covered outdoor structures, timber-style framing details, and other post-supported wood framing where you need a strong, code-minded beam connection. It is especially useful for builders who want structural capacity without the bulk and projection of traditional through-bolt hardware.

If you are a contractor, framer, deck builder, or serious DIYer working on a structural wood connection, this is the kind of connector you buy when the connection itself matters as much as the lumber. It is not general-purpose hardware. It is a purpose-built structural column cap for beam fastening and load transfer in wood construction.

Built for Real Beam Support

This connector is made to do more than just wrap the joint. The extended seat supports the beam while the side straps tie the assembly together, so the load is transferred into the post in a more controlled way.

• Designed for wood-to-wood beam and post connections
• Extended seat increases bearing area beyond each side of the post

Lower Profile, Faster Hardware

The SDS screw design is one of the big reasons to choose this style of connector. You get structural fastening with less projection than standard bolts, which helps when space, finish appearance, or install speed matters.

• Uses 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS connector screws
• Diamond holes help with temporary fastening during positioning

What’s in the Box

• (1) Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ4.62-5.50SDS CCQ Column Cap
• (16) 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector Screws

Key Specifications

Compatibility

Materials Connected Designed for wood-to-wood connections. Beam and Post Fit Sized for a 4-1/2 in. beam width and a 6x nominal post. Fastener System Install with 1/4 in. x 2-1/2 in. Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws. Simpson notes lag screws will not achieve the same load.

Built For

Carpentry Construction Deck Building Outdoor Structures Post-and-Beam Framing Remodeling General Contracting Structural Wood Connections

Pro Tip

If you are choosing between a bolt-style cap and this SDS version, remember the published performance depends on using the specified SDS connector screws. On retrofit or appearance-sensitive work, the lower-profile screw installation is usually the cleaner choice.

Tool Nut’s Take

Tool Nut’s Take

Why the Simpson Strong-Tie CCQ4.62-5.50SDS CCQ Column Cap Earns Its Keep

This is the kind of hardware you buy when the connection is doing real structural work and you do not want to mess around with a generic bracket.

• Who it’s for: Builders, framers, and serious DIYers putting a triple 2x beam on a 6x post in a structural wood framing application.
• Why it stands out: The extended seat, rated uplift capacity, certified welds, and SDS screw installation make it more purpose-built than a basic cap or improvised bracket setup.
• Worth knowing: This is a specific-fit structural connector, not a universal bracket. Match the beam and post sizing correctly, and use the specified SDS screws if you want the rated performance.

Common Questions

• What is this connector used for? It is a wood-to-wood column cap for connecting a beam to a post in structural framing.
• What beam size does this model fit? This model is sized for a 4-1/2 inch beam width, commonly described as a triple 2x beam application.
• What post size is it designed for? It is intended for a 6x nominal post.
• Are the installation screws included? Yes. The product data states it installs with 1/4 inch x 2-1/2 inch Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws, and they are provided with the column cap.