Mark and Cut Rafters

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Learn framing fast 👍 hope this helps #learn #framing #carpentry #rafters

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What happens here

To mark a rafter, first lock your speed square onto the 'pivot point' at one end of the rafter. Bring the square down to your calculated pitch (e.g., 6 for a 6:12 pitch, aligning with the 'common' measurement on the square). Mark this angle; this will be your 'plumb cut' for the ridge. Next, measure down the rafter's edge by the calculated rafter length (e.g., 21 1/2 inches). Mark this point. Now, to make the 'seat cut' or 'bird's mouth', align your speed square again with the rafter's length mark, using the same pitch (6). Draw a line. Then, measure 4 inches horizontally from this line (towards the end of the rafter) and draw another line. Flip the speed square over, align it with the new line, and connect to the previous line to complete the seat cut. This cut must be below one-third the depth of the rafter to maintain structural integrity.

Goal: Accurately mark and cut the rafter for installation

Tools and materials

Circular Saw — Cutting the rafter along the marked lines
Pencil — Drawing cut lines on the rafter
Speed Square — Marking plumb cuts and seat cuts on the rafter
Tape Measure — Measuring rafter length
Wood Rafter — The angled structural member of the roof

What they say

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But typically, this will be the width of your wall. I'll take the square and lock it on the pivot point, bring this down to six. This is the common, so you're looking for six here. As you see, we line up perfectly. Now we'll make a mark. This gets cut. Now we'll pull a measurement down to 21 and 1/2. Pull this down and make another mark. Then we can make a 4-in measurement this way. Then flip the square over, line this up, and make your mark. This cut needs to be below 1/3. So in this case, I just make it. Now you set your rafters. You can measure out to make plumb cuts,

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