The scissor-like tool illustrated here can be useful in plumbing and aligning stud walls during framing. With it, a worker can exert and maintain great pressure against a wall while another worker nails bracing to hold the wall in its correct position.
The scissor can be assembled quickly on the job site from a pair of 8-ft. 2x4s and a 3/8-in. by 4-in. machine bolt. The proportions shown in the illustration are only approximate; I usually trim off one end or the other until the tool feels right and gives the best leverage.
To use the scissor for plumbing a wall, tack a cleat to the subfloor about 6 ft. from the bottom plate and place the foot of the tool against it. Next, open the arms of the scissor until its raised end can be firmly wedged against the top plate of the stud wall. By pressing down on the tool’s handle, you will increase its span and force the top of the wall away from you. Fine adjustments can be made by altering the pressure on the handle.
—Malcolm McDaniel, Berkeley, CA
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #8
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Yeah, yeah. More crappy looking old shit from FH "tips."
That was uncalled for and asinine. Now it's your turn to post an idea and have some wannabe weekend warrior critique it.
Now,now marleyjune; Lets give credit where credit is due. This is he first drawing that has been complete and understandable that we've seen. I've been in the building trades for 53yrs and this is old hat to an old fart like me but--give the newbies a break!!!
This is a post from 1982, so it's really digging into the archives. But, good ideas are timeless, and, as said, still valuable to newbies.