Framing Square

[elvis459]

Great help, thank you, however that is just a miniture roof, if my pitch is 4/12 and my roof is say 5ft wide how do I work out how far apart those markings should be ?

[bysdto]

Good job. Thanks for the tip

[rayunseitig]

Good video. You'd have to go a long way to find a carpenter who can cut a roof, these days with the advent of the truss.

Hips, valleys, jacks, cripples, birdsmouths, etc.

Thanks.-common rafters are a good start.

[likeke34]

thanks for this! i'm a carpenter apprentice and right now the company i work for really isn't teaching me anything besides toenailing studs and crosscutting lumber all day long, and my schooling is just making me do math problems everyday lol (fractions)... so i've been searching for vids on my own so that i can learn and your vids are really helpful! i intend on becoming a master carpenter one day and don't want to end up a carpenter who can only do one thing... thanks again!

[AsktheBuilder]

You will do VERY well. You have the most-important ingredient right now. That of self-education and an attitude of self-sufficiency. Good for you!

[grinfostar]

@AsktheBuilder i would like to get the lengh of my rafter using the framing square how can i do this

??

[Matr2z]

in your video you make your lumber using two different sides of your square ,you used both the inside and outside .

[johnyonge]

There is no right or wrong way to do things. Each to there own. I have cut up entire roofs also without ever touching a framing square. I did use a bevel though!

[AsktheBuilder]

I have to disagree. There absolutely is a wrong way to do many things. I believe you meant to say that if you have a different way to get the angle cuts marked on the lumber, then what's the difference? I agree with that. But you sure can do painting wrong, window installation, thousands of things.

[usaearthling]

Thanks Tim, I just bought a framing square and lot's of other tools. I plan to do some tile work myself since my husband has no clue. I love tools, and this demo really helped me want to bond with my square. I watch all your videos and have learned so much from you. Thanks.

[AsktheBuilder]

You're most welcome. I intend to do a series perhaps this winter on this amazing tool. There is so much to show how it really works.

[mcmullanryan]

The slope is 8/12. The pitch is always exspessed as a fraction which would be 1/3 for and 8/12 slope roof often u'll find on a set of plans a fraction e.g 1/4 to turn this into slope to use with your square multiply the fraction by 24 which would equal 6 so 6/12 is the slope

[AsktheBuilder]

Yes. I have a column at my website that really goes into detail explaining this. Pitch and slope are often confused.

[0466rymaspencer]

Hi, I just need to know if you start your marks on the outside of the square do you stay on the outside. For example if marking a 4/12 pitch, if you mark the number 4 on the outside of the tongue, then the 12 needs to be marked on the outside of the blade...correct??

thanks

Chet

[AsktheBuilder]

Correct!

[joegoatman]

I've been a carpenter for over 40 years & have a construction management degree.

Using ONLY that framing square you canfind the length of rafter runs providing you have the width of the building as a given.

The framing square can also be used to figure hip length,valley length, and a progressive sequence of either hip or valley rafters. I have cut entire raftered roofs, including hips, jacks & dormers without once going onto the roof.

It all fits.

[Humpedoverclown]

You didn't allow for any adjustment, like adjustments for the ridge board, or wood above plate in the birds mouth. Also knowing the pitch of the roof is only knowing part of the question. You have to know the run of the rafter in question, the total number of units of run in that particular rafter, the LCPUR, there is allot more to laying out roof rafters than you are leading onto. The roof is an important part of the building structure, and its irresponsible to only show part of the theory

[AsktheBuilder]

First, thanks for your comment. But I must tell you I love comments like yours. You seem to have lots of knowledge about the topic, as well as boundless energy to compose such a detailed comment. Refocus that energy on making your own video about this topic, and include all the things you say I missed. That way we can really see what you know. Be sure to come back here and tell us when the video is complete so we can all come and judge its merit.

[bigbadbowie]

no sorry i wrote that when i was tired i mean if you just turned up on site and you were told to put a pitch roof porch over a door and you had to use the same pitch as the house,how do i find the angles and rise of the porch any help would be great

[AsktheBuilder]

There are many tools out there that will tell you the pitch, but you can take a straightedge, framing square and a level onto the roof to determine what you need.

[bigbadbowie]

hi good vid i found it very informing but what i would like your help on is if you were on site dont know any info other than the span and the rise of a roof how would you go about finding the plumb angle

[AsktheBuilder]

Unless I'm missing something, you have what you need - the rise and run.

[rimia44]

hey that was very interesting.Can you please transfer those measurements into centermeters?Im from Australia,we are roof framing soon and Im sure the boss will be imressed thanks to you. Cheers mate

[AsktheBuilder]

Sorry! I don't have the time. There are many conversion websites out there. You can do it in a minute or less.

[Knight785]

The ratio should be the same. If it is 8 to 12 (8/12) in inches, it should be 8/12 in cm. Likewise, 4/12 is 4/12.

There were no length measurements in this video, but if there were any measurements in inches then multiply any number by 2.54 to get them in cm, or by 25.4 to get them in mm.

[seant67]

I once showed an "old" carpenter, (about 80) the difference in rafter formula on the side and he said, "Aw heck, you don't need that, just pull your tape diagonally from the tounge to the body on whatever pitch it is" (It's the same number!) I don't think i'll ever get too old to learn.

[AsktheBuilder]

Yep.... the diagonal!

[seant67]

I saw the same thing, had to rewind a couple of times. Been framing for 20+ yrs. Look forward to the framing square series. It's kind of fun to get just one measurent from the guys on the roof and then cut all the rafters with just using the "diff in jacks" formula. It blows the minds away of less experienced framers.

[AsktheBuilder]

I agree. The look on homeowners' faces is even better. You make all of the cuts and the pieces fit perfectly like magic. Very fulfilling!

[GeoffLafayette]

It looks like you marked the wrong side of the lumber for your level cut. I'm guessing it is editing, you seem to know your stuff (the rafter worked!)

[AsktheBuilder]

Good eye! Yes, that was an editing goof up. I don't have access to the original footage any longer. The good news is I am getting ready to do a SERIES on the framing square. We will get plenty of close-up shots, and you can bet they will be right. Thanks for your polite comment.

[loverofsith]

This is a gem of info.

[larksp]

things like this is great to know, i would never thought of it on my own of i was ever to do it

[ianhound]

Thanks very much for such a great video...

[AsktheBuilder]

You are welcome. I have lots more coming your way. Look for ones explaining all sorts of tools and how to use them.