Layout and squaring 💪 Learn the first steps before building. #carpentry #construction #learn

Layout and squaring is the first step in most projects. If a structure doesn't have parallel walls or 90° corners, the rest of the build is going to be very difficult. So, before we even start doing any forms or building, we want to make sure we have good layout. A great method for this is batter boards. These boards get installed on the outside of your structure so you can run string lines and find your corners. If any digging has to be done or lines removed, it's a lot easier to do with this setback. The further back, the easier it will be to work in this area. If you find that your line isn't square, you can move to square up your lines. The objective is to get 90° corners and parallel walls. The first most reliable method is a 3-4-5 method or the Pythagorean theorem. You can also do this as 6-8-10, 12-16-20, or any variable of 3-4-5. After you square one corner, it's easy to pull parallel marks off of that corner. To accomplish the 3-4-5 method, you need to measure from the corner here. Measure from this corner. Now, we'll get a diagonal measurement from the outside of the frame or from your string line. And there's your 5 ft. For a more accurate measurement, you can always hold on the 1 in mark or 1 ft mark and measure out and add it on the other end. The next step is you want to check corner to corner for your structure, your string line, or your deck. See here how I drew a 90° border around the frame. When these walls aren't square, you can see how things change. This measurement is at 30, while this measurement right now is only at 27. So, this means you have to move the structure back this way to get everything to be square. If these measurements here aren't parallel, then that means your structure will never be square. Here's how you can tie a line for one end. It's just an overhand loop like this. And you can hook it. For the other end, you put it around your finger, give it five, six spins, hook your nail, take your loose side, pull in, and pull the other side.