I am amazed how much I use this thing! From foundation to roof it never fails to impress. Spend a little time with the manual and The CMPro and you can calc just about anything. Not saying you couldn’t with a normal calculator or even a brain and a pencil but plug in a few numbers and stair layout is a breeze. I framed a gable rake wall today (ran the number through the calc last night) and cut all gable studs first thing and all ended up dead on layout with my framing partner on a bet that it would be faster to snap it on the floor, mark and cut( his way) he, he, he…Even marked layout on gable rafter and studs landed right on on every mark.
Any one else do this? As long as I know the top/sole plate & studs are same length, I plug in the rise/run of the wall, bump it to the # the calc gives for diag and only pull tape one time!
Any other stories out there?
Octagonal(half) framing roof bump outs are easy with irr hip/jack function ( framed the thing on the driveway slab then forked in up, easier/ faster than on scaffolding.
The plastic/rubber cover thing saves the wear and tear.
I think it is one of the most underused tools
Judo Chop!
Replies
I have the CMC and rarely use it but bought the cheap sears version on sale a couple of weeks ago and love it.
You can program in fence lengths and it tells you boards, runners and posts.
Figure up square footage for a room for painting then it tells you how much paint.
Pretty cool for 13$
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I live and die by my calculators. Couldn't do what I do without 'em.
Sure beats what they did before - Using the old Smoley's tables...
I'm not that familiar with the CM calculators, the programmable calculator is my first preference, or just an ordinary scientific calculator. Neveretheless a lot of people I work with use CMs and being able to calc dimensions directly in Imperial measurements is definitely a bonus.
I couldn't do what I do without calculators either. (Actually, yes, roofs have been cut without the help of digital electronics for centuries. But time is money!) They make it possible to cut a log or timber roof on horses sitting safely on the ground. No more setting up and moving scaffolds, and climbing up and down to scribe fit the roof components. With trigonometry the lengths, joinery layout and angles can be solved quickly and with deadly accuracy.
Just lay out and mark, cut, and deliver.Joe Bartok
I Think the CM is one of the best tools in my truck. Its one of the cheapest "tools" I have yet it definetly earns me the most money especially when it comes to roof framing.
2 guys can cut everything down on the ground with the calculator while the rest are up on the roof nailing everything together. And most importantly it takes the head scratching out of framing problems
I think it is one of the most underused tools
I use it more than my hammer<G>
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
I agree wholeheartedly. Some days I have that calculator in my hand more than my hammer. Today I started in on cutting a (smaller) hip roof for part of an addition while the guys were still snapping out the lines for the walls. By the time they had the walls braced I was done cutting.
Sure it could be done without the calculator, but man does it speed things up. Just double checked with my lead to make sure we were both figuring layout from the same corner and voila! Rafter over stud and everything fits nice-nice.
Bastard roofs is where I really fall in love with that thing though.
I'm not the only one out there then... For the price of the thing, it paid for itself within a week in time saved. Feels great to chop my hip jacks all in one shot and plop into place. Too bad I work for myself or I'd be gunnin' for a raise.
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Judo Chop!
I love my CM. I have had the same one for at least 5 years, and it has taken more abuse and sawdust than my cell phone! It is just now starting to die- I think it is just the batteries. It had done so well though, I am just going to buy a new one. I used the blue book for years and when i started to use the calculator it was so much faster, easier and more accurate. Less chance to make a mistake adding or subracting ;-) One of my all time favorites. I find myself using it for everything. Rob z