Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Jan 24, 2009 06:31pm | #1

   The gages are for setting the shingles face to the weather reveal, often 5" w/three tab shingles.

   The blade can be for scoreing the back and snapping shingles, chopping wood shakes, or cutting felt..but IMO seldom as handy as other tools more adept for the job.

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2. 
   frammer52 | Jan 24, 2009 06:49pm | #2

   I always took the scoring device off my hatchet, rather use a knife with hook blade!

3. 
   Hazlett | Jan 24, 2009 08:12pm | #3

   If you whre installing a standard 3 tab shingle-- you can snap a line @ 11-1/4" up from the bottom of the roof--this gives you a 3/4" overhang if you install the first course to that line

   the gauge will then hook on to the bottom of the tabs of the first course and the nailing face of the hammer end is 5" away---so you use that to gauge one end of the shingle-----then the other end---nail-er in place--and on to the next one( most hatchets have different holes for the gauge so you can set it for metric 5-5/8" and so on

   as long as the first line is nice and straight all the next courses will be EXACTLY as straight--- I did many,many roofs in the past snapping 2 vertical bung lines and one horizontal line---and no more lines

   I also remove the blade and cut shingles with a hook knife----much safer,much more accurate---much neater cuts-just better all around
   Estwing makes a couple of indestructible ones--- I use them a lot for repair work, bashing off old flashing-all the nasty abusive stuff

   AJC makes very nice wood handled ones of a slightly different design that are much easier on your elbow long term and my favorite is an AJC titanium hatchet----very light weight that I carry when gun nailing to mash down the occasional misfire
   A guy here on Breaktime called Piffen is a past master of hand nailing shingles---- I am Ok---- I actually like it sitting on my roofing cushion and I "Zen Out".

   BTW-speed in hand nailing doesn't come from the hatchet hand--it comes from the hand working the nails into position--and also laying out your work effectively

   Have fun,
   stephen

   
   

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   Edited 1/24/2009 12:13 pm ET by Hazlett

1. 
   jimk1287 | Jan 25, 2009 12:36am | #4

   thanks alot for explaining it to me simply....most people make jokes when you ask a question on here so thanks again...

1. 
   oldhand | Jan 25, 2009 04:19am | #5

   There is much to be learned from this site. A thick hide and open mind is helpful..

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Jan 25, 2009 09:58am | #6

   yep, and sometimes a question asked then a closed mouth and an open ear.
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.