How to Cut Plumb Cuts on Rafters

You can calculate the correct rise to run ratio when marking a rafter for plumb cuts. However, if you have forgotten some of the math taught in high school, or if you don't have a calculator handy, you can use a carpenter's square to accomplish the task. A carpenter's square is marked with degree graduations that allow you to mark various angled cuts without having to resort to complex trigonometry calculations.

Instructions

Place the carpenter's square guide against the long edge of your rafter, with the pivot point on the proposed cut line.

Rotate the carpenter's square about the pivot point. Line up the desired pitch on the graduation scale opposite the "common" arrow on the speed square with the edge of the rafter. For example, if you're cutting a rafter with a 6:12 pitch roof -- 6 being the rise and 12 being the run -- pivot the square until the 6 on the common graduation scale lines up with the edge of the rafter.

Draw a cut line on the rafter with a pencil, using the sloping edge of the square as your guide.

Slide the square sideways and line the 6 up with the edge. Place the side of a circular saw base plate against the square and use it as a guide. Ensure that the saw blade is on the line and cut through the rafter to achieve an accurate plumb cut.

How to cut a rafter - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QuJYtq8MsU
This video explains how to figure your rafter length and lay it out.
Popular Mechanics - How to Design and Cut Signature Rafter
www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/woodworking/4314676
Oct 01, 2009 How to Design and Cut Signature Rafter Tails for a Pergola One of my favorite things about pergolas is how unique they can be. Each one, while built on the ...
How to Cut Bird's Mouths in Rafters eHow
www.ehow.com Home Repair & Maintenance Carpentry
How to Cut Bird's Mouths in Rafters. Prior to factory-made trusses and metal rafter brackets, every framing carpenter knew how to cut a "bird's mouth" or "bird's beak."
How Do I Know Where to Cut the Bird's Mouth in a Rafter? eHow
www.ehow.com Building & Remodeling Home Building
A bird's mouth cut lets a rafter sit squarely down on the top of the wall, rather than resting against it at an angle. For the rafter to fit correctly, you need to ...
How do you calculate the length, and top edge cut, plumb cut of a ...
uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080202031448AA9R1dLLast updated: Feb 02, 2008 7 posts First post: Feb 02, 2008
Feb 02, 2008 Best Answer: first a question for you; Do you have a Swanson Speed Square? If not go get one, they are invaluable in the application. I will be happy tell ...
Plans How To Build Your Own Wood Scissor Roof Trusses Any
howtobuildplans.com/?wpsc-product=plans-how-to-build-your-own-wood...
Plans How To Build Your Own Wood Scissor Roof Trusses Any Size For House Cabin. Are you planning on building a new house, cottage, garage, cottage or shed with ...
How To Cut Common Rafters 2 - Building Cost Calculator
www.jccalc.com/cut-rafters-2.php
Step 2. FASCIA BOARD CUT -1b This is the second cut. As you can see by the drawing below, the framing square is moved to a new position to layout the cut for the ...
How to figure the angle to cut a shed type porch roof rafter ...
www.summerville-home-inspector.com/content/how-figure-angle-cut...
Explains how to derive the proper top angle cut of a porch shed type roof when it lies on another higher pitch roof.
WonderHowTo - How to Use a rafter-angle square Tools &
home-tools.wonderhowto.com/how-to/use-rafter-angle-square-78922
This video teaches you how to use the rafter-angle square - also known as a speed square - measuring tool for measuring and drawing angles. Use a rafter-angle square.
EzineArticles - How To Build A Shed Roof - Building Shed Roof Rafters
ezinearticles.com Home Improvement Storage Garage
Sep 20, 2011 Learning how to build a shed roof often slows people down when it comes to shed building. It seems that the walls are easy because they are square and ...