How To Use A Roof Framing Square

Generally the framing square is broken down into fractions of an inch on top and in centimeters on the bottom.

How to use a roof framing square. You can then see the cut of the roof and also the cuts which need to be made to the piece of wood. This will the first point of the rafter measurement line. Step 1 determine the roof pitch. This simple device is crammed with tables data and tricks that allow a carpenter to lay out roof rafters stairs or other building features.

Place one arm parallel against the edge of a piece of material that you wish to cut at a right angle. The standard two foot framing square also referred to as a carpenter s square and historically as a steel square is an l shaped tool that is used to mark angles for cuts used in building framing particularly roof rafters stair stringers and many other cuts or angles other than 90. Align the pivot point with the outer edge of the roof where it meets the side of the structure making sure the fence is facing up. How to build roof rafters using a framing square step 1.

Mark a line along the edge of the other arm and mark out a cut line. The pitch is defined as the. Place a 2 by 6 board on sawhorses to lay out the first full length or common rafter. Determine roof pitch fast using a carpenter square and torpedo level.

Measure down y height from the long point of the rafter cut and make a mark. Check the board for. A framing square is a lot more than a simple square cut saw guide. Step 3 layout the bird s mouth.

The slope or pitch of a roof is measured in inches of vertical rise per foot of horizontal run. Take your square and place the shorter end of the tool onto the tongued rafters at the 8 mark and the longer arm along the 16 mark. Step 2 layout the rafter tail. Step 3 template cut the rafter and then use this as a template for your other tools.

Step 4 determine the overall length of the rafter. Determine the slope or pitch of the roof by referring to your building plans. Roof framing rafter layout from one end of the rafter material using a speed square or framing square mark an x in 12 angle on the rafter and cut it. How to use a framing square.