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Stesso

Mark the Horizontal Notch Line

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2:36
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At 0:57 in

Cutting a birds mouth for a 2x4 top plate using a speed square! #diy #tools #home #construction

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What happens here

The speed square features diamond marks at 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 inches from its pivot point. These marks are specifically designed for common top plate widths. For a standard 2x4 top plate, which has an actual width of 3.5 inches, align the 3.5-inch diamond mark with the previously drawn angled line. Pivot the speed square on this point and use the carpenter's pencil to mark the horizontal line that forms the bottom of the bird's mouth notch. This completes the outline of the bird's mouth cut.

Goal: Mark the horizontal cut that defines the depth of the bird's mouth.

Tools and materials

  • Carpenter's Pencil — Drawing the cut lines
  • Speed Square Milwaukee — Marking angles and dimensions
  • Wood — The piece of wood being marked

What they say

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have one, this one at an inch and a half, three and a half, and five and a half. The inch and a half is for your layout, three and a half and your five and a half are for your top plates for this exact use. So now you've established your roof pitch and this would also work for a rafter tail. I can make a separate video on that, but this will work for rafter tail. So go ahead and line up the diamond on your three and a half right with your line. Like like so, right? Three and a half is the width of a 2 by 4. Make sure your pivot point is in place and make sure that your three and a half is right on your line and go ahead and mark the outside. Now you're going to want to cut this out. So let's cut this out and I'll come back. All right, now

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