Could someone explain how to use the numbers on a carpenter’s square to figure the slant of the rafters. Also any explaination of the other numbers would be appreciated. Tried to find a web site with the info with no success.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
This 654-sq.-ft. ADU combines vaulted ceilings, reclaimed materials, and efficient design, offering a flexible guest suite and home office above a new garage.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
You might want to consider getting yourself a new framing square becaise they come with a substanial book. Then you can all of it and the stairs too. Buy an elcheapo for the book.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Side note: Welder for the curtain wall outfit on the last job was customising his tool box, in the way welders all seem to. (He had a new box, the old one having been stolen in Laredo, at the motel, about a month eariler.) Got my attention when he was drilling the square to fit some wing nuts in the lid. Kidded him about his drilling through some of my favorite rafters. He was puzzled a bit, until I pointed out that those numbers in the middle had meaning.
Told him I couldn't tell him anymore about the "secrets of the square" as he's a certified welder. Any knowledge of a square would make him a carpenter, and the boys at the welding shop would pick on him as a result.
If I told you I'd have to kill you.
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Anything, just PLEASE don't ask about black diamonds!
Some of the older carpenter's books will explain this. Perhaps one of the best is the Audels book ("Carpenters and Builders Library"; Audels was the publisher, with Ball being the editor); your local library, if it's any good, will have it, and a lot of used bookstores will have copies cheap, as it's not exactly a collector's item. Look on Half.com too.
Roof framers bible