How To Use Swanson Square For Roof

Then divide the span by two to get the rafter run the length each rafter must cover.

How to use swanson square for roof.

Originally invented by albert j swanson in 1925. The swanson speed square has a diamond cutout along the ruler that allows you to square lines and make sure they re perfect. For a 24 foot wide building the run would be 12. Spacing roof rafters for plywood.

This simple device is crammed with tables data and tricks that allow a carpenter to lay out roof rafters stairs or other building features. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. Common rafter layout. Just flip the speed square and use the back side of the tool.

A try square a miter square a laser guide a saw guide and a protractor. The swanson speed square is five tools in one. Choose or determine a pitch the angle at which the rafters rise. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.

Swanson was a carpenter in a small town outside of chicago. That diamond cutout can be used to make a notch or a birdsmouth for rafter work. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. This video shows how to assemble a swanson big 12 speed sq.

Invest in a larger speed square and you could even use it for longer cuts. More information on how to use the swanson speed square. The speed square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson. How to use a framing square.

Rafters made by 2 x 4 s lay a carpenter square body flush with top edge of the rafter and marking the bottom edge of the square body. Using a speed square as a try square. First determine the width of the building the rafter span and the length for the number of rafters that will be needed. As a miter square for accurately marking 45 angles and.

See tool speed square made simple part two. A framing square is a lot more than a simple square cut saw guide. How to use a speed square the basics. If you ve ever spent much time on a construction site or watching youtube videos on making things chances are you ve seen a speed square.

Learn how to build a gabled dormer in your home. As a protractor for easily finding and marking various common angles especially roof rafter pitches and angles for stair stringers the vertical supports on a stairway. Got pole barn plans.