Building rafters requires knowing the length and pitch of the roof and cutting the rafters to just the right length, from the outside of the wall to the roof ridge. Layout rafters of the right length and cut with instruction from an experienced builder in this free video on carpentry.
Expert: Robert Markey
Bio: Robert Markey earned his B.S. in Physics from M.I.T in 1969 and his M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1982.
Filmmaker: EquilibrioFilms Erik
9 Comments posted on "Carpentry & Home Improvement Skills : How to Build Rafters"
canubelieve on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
What if you don’t … What if you don’t know the length of the rafter, which is the case nearly all the time? Usually you just know the width of the building.
73Mackem on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
why not join the … why not join the rest of the world and get metric…feet n inches died years ago…as for that tuition, crap……i doubt u could level water…
dexsmasher on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
to get the pitch of … to get the pitch of a roof can you measure up thee rafter 12 inchs put a level across the mark and when its level you measure the gap.? say its 7 inchs from the bottom of the level to the mark on the rafter and that would be a 7/12 roof? is that the right way to do it?
DRNEFDR on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
wow all the sudden … wow all the sudden everyone becomes an expert huh just use a construction calculator if your to cheap to buy one then use the Hypotenuse formula and if didnt understand anything get someone who knows personally I dont like to use a framing square because its not exact on longer rafter remember each pencil line is almost 1/16″ thick
andybarnes20 on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
the bird mouth is … the bird mouth is alway a 3rd of the timber what ever and it alway the plumb cut is 90 % of your seat cut
andybarnes20 on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
quick sqaure and … quick sqaure and recker lol
8reste on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
Thank you for … Thank you for common sense, Other video’s were a bit confusing, Once again…Thanks
beanbag84 on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
the pitch is 1/3rd … the pitch is 1/3rd not 8/12, the SLOPE is 8/12, he is usiong the wrong term, and the birdsmouth should be 1/3rd of the material, it dsnt mater what the plate is made of,
embitteredshurpa on March 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm #
This is the most … This is the most ridulous way to lay out a rafter. You walk the rafter length out with the square and not measure from the ridge because the ridge height hasn’t been established yet. NEVER use square nuts because they come loose and you won’t realize it till after it is too late.Your birds mouth has depth cut requirements you just don’t measure 3.5″ for the wall plate your birds mouth is required to overlap your exterior sheathing.Hire a professional framer unless your building a chicken coop
Building rafters requires knowing the length and pitch of the roof and cutting the rafters to just the right length, from the outside of the wall to the roof ridge. Layout rafters of the right length and cut with instruction from an experienced builder in this free video on carpentry.