Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Aug 11, 2003 04:19pm | #1

   Not exactly what you want, but HD and Lowes have a protractor that reads in degrees.  It has a flat base and an automatic leveling dial, you set the base on the slanted roof and read the degrees of slope.  Wouldn't take but a minute or two to create a chart with degrees-to-slope conversions.

   I have a friend who's an architect, and he uses a level that reads in degrees to to ADA checks of ramps.  I'll try to get a brand name.

   Do it right, or do it twice.

   
   

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   Edited 8/11/2003 9:32:11 AM ET by ELCID72

2. 
   rasconc | Aug 11, 2003 04:35pm | #2

   For a paltry $89 you can get the "Smart Level" module only, made by Mac. Duncan sold by Amazon Tool Crib.  I has a hold button and will read in degrees, %, or inch per feet.  Handy if in an attic, stick the level up against decking and push hold, take down to read.  Also has an audible feature if checking level.

   It has the capability to calibrate and reads to .1 degree.  You could probably get by with the module only which would fit in a briefcase.  I got the 24" and use it a lot.

1. 
   Teeds | Aug 11, 2003 04:51pm | #3

   I had a electronic level that read in slopes and degrees, but it was stolen with my truck (another story).  I have a slope guage similar to the one described as well.  It works, but is prone to misread the variations of the roofing materials.

   The one I am referring to is similar to a center finder for pipes and dowels.  It has a series of v shaped lines that are embossed (printed) on the acrylic.  All you have to do is align yourself with a ridge and sight through the acrylic and align the ridge with the intersection of the inverted v and bingo, you have the slope.  The nice thing is, you can do it from the ground.

3. 
   MojoMan | Aug 11, 2003 05:43pm | #4

   Is this something that can be used from the ground? If I'm on the roof, in the attic, or near the rake, I use a 4' level and tape measure. But, what fun is that if you can buy a special tool to do it??

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

4. 
   skids | Aug 11, 2003 08:06pm | #5

   i use a squangle by mayes, or a speed square and a torpedo level. like the squangle best as it reads both degrees and pitch

5. 
   pixburd | Aug 11, 2003 10:05pm | #6

   Tony, Owens Corning makes that "Roofing Calculator."   See if you can get one at their toll-free 1-800-ROOFING.

6. 
   xMikeSmith | Aug 12, 2003 04:11am | #7

   tony, i got mine from Owens-Corning..

    i have about 3 of them , but i can only put my hands on the one that's tucked into my daily log

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

7. 
   Turtleneck | Aug 12, 2003 06:11am | #8

   Ever since I fell off one, I can now accurately guess the slope of most roofs within an inch or two just by looking at them.

    Turtleneck

   the only miracles I've ever produced are waiting for me at home

8. 
   MikeCallahan | Aug 12, 2003 07:21am | #9

   I use a framing square and a torpedo level. The barge rafter is a good place to get a reading. Just place the tongue of the square on the rafter and run the blade section by the rafter and get a reading. The tongue is 14" on the inside and I read the number on the blade when level. Then I divide 14 by the number to get a ratio and get the inverse tangent of that on my calculator. That gives me the angle of the pitch. Often it is not exactly an even increment like 6/12. It might be 6.15 and 12 especially on a roof built on purlin beams. The framer might have not placed his beams at the right height and framed the roof as is. I have done a lot of remodeling involving roof framing and the framing square gives me the most accurate reading before I start.

   Start out slow, Then ease up
1. 
   Teeds | Aug 12, 2003 04:59pm | #10

   Thanks for all the great info!  I'm gonna put a call into OC today, and I am going to try the square/level method as soon as the attics here in Texas are cool enough to get back into.