How To Use Swanson Square For Roof

A framing square is a lot more than a simple square cut saw guide.

How to use swanson square for roof.

Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. The swanson speed square has a diamond cutout along the ruler that allows you to square lines and make sure they re perfect. See tool speed square made simple part two. Choose or determine a pitch the angle at which the rafters rise.

This simple device is crammed with tables data and tricks that allow a carpenter to lay out roof rafters stairs or other building features. 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. For a 24 foot wide building the run would be 12. More information on how to use the swanson speed square.

Place the pivot point against the shingles. This video shows how to assemble a swanson big 12 speed sq. Then divide the span by two to get the rafter run the length each rafter must cover. The swanson speed square is five tools in one.

Spacing roof rafters for plywood. Originally invented by albert j swanson in 1925. 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. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1.

For rafters made in 2 x 6 s or larger lay the square body flush with the bottom edge of the rafter and mark along top edge of the square body. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. Got pole barn plans. Invest in a larger speed square and you could even use it for longer cuts.

That diamond cutout can be used to make a notch or a birdsmouth for rafter work. Swanson was a carpenter in a small town outside of chicago. 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. As a miter square for accurately marking 45 angles and.

How to use a framing square. Common rafter layout. Learn how to build a gabled dormer in your home. First determine the width of the building the rafter span and the length for the number of rafters that will be needed.

The speed square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson. These triangular devices have been used by makers for decades. Just flip the speed square and use the back side of the tool.