Framing Square Roof Rafters

Ability to read a tape measure ruler.

Framing square roof rafters.

The key to accurately cutting the necessary angles is the proper use of a basic carpentry tool the framing square. 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. Its uses extend into framing and laying rafters and stairs. Input the pitch of the roof that you calculated above we ll use 7 12 for reference throughout on the framing square.

Video of the day volume 0. Also known as a steel square the johnson framing square is a handy tool for carpentry. To measure out your cuts you ll need a pencil a framing square and movable stair gauges to make accurate cuts. Above my pencil is pointing to the 6 inch mark read along the front of the framing square blade the long arm.

This is a video lesson of the common rafter layout for ed105. This is a video lesson of the common rafter layout for ed105. It can also be used as a straight edge finding and establishing right angles and marking cut off work on widestock. Using the rafter length table below this signifies that we are looking at rafter lengths for the various types of rafters on a 6 12 slope roof.

Next set the framing square on top of the rafter beam and use a pencil to trace the outside edge of the framing square s tongue. Demonstrate the basics on calculating laying out and cutting a common rafter for either a full gable roof or for a shed roof on a porch or small addition. That is on this roof there will be a 6 inch rise in 12 inches of horizontal run. The angle of the cuts made on the pitch end of the rafters will depend upon the rise you ve calculated.

Familiarity with using a speed square. Http amzn to 2sfscbz swanson speed square http amzn to 2svgnvt 16 x 24 framing square starrett http amzn to 2sflm5v milwaukee circular saw http amzn. In this first installment we ll start with roof framing. To cut roof rafters start by fixing the stair gauges on your framing square to the dimensions of your pitch.