builderbill

Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Hand Tools >> Framing Square

Framing Square
Also called a roofing square and steel square this is a flat steel square with legs of 600mm and 400mm or 2ft by 18 inches. It can be used just a general square but it can also be used to perform roof and stair set outs by using sets of tables inscribed on both faces of the square.



a framing square

a steel square with battens

What you see above is a Lufkin framing or rafter square. It is made in the USA where I think that the idea of using inscribed tables as an aid in roofing was first used. The Stanley company comes to mind.

The square in the photo is a metric square and of course imperial ones are also available.

The square is particularly useful with the US system of describing the pitch of a roof as a ratio. As in say 4:12. It is simple to then place the square on a piece of timber with the tongue (the thin short leg)at the 4 mark and the base(the wide long leg) at the 12 mark and straight away the roof top cut and level cut are defined.

Personally I was taught a different system of finding rafter lengths and bevels. We use a system where an architect may specify a roof pitch as 22.5 degrees.

In the right hands these squares have helped to build many roofs. However, only simple ones. As soon as things get away from standard the then the roofing square is not the tool for the job.

It is of course an excellent and robust tool for general squaring work on the bench and on site. Also I do not recall ever having built a flight of stairs without one. Set up with a couple of battens screwed to it like in the sketch it is the absolute best method of marking stair angles.



If you didn't find exactly what you are looking for try this search tool that will search the site and the web.


"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
Adam Smith 1723-1790


"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900


coates hire
Hire Equipment
hafele
Furniture Fittings - Architectural Hardware - Electronic Locking Systems - Technical Hardware
BuilderBill sponsorship

BuilderBill Books


building maths
Building Maths

Stair Design
asbestos ebook
Asbestos Book

Calculator Pages.

Concrete yardage calculator

Reader's Questions.

Questions and answers.


 

 



Please Note! The information on this site is offered as a guide only!  When we are talking about areas where building regulations or safety regulations could exist,the information here could be wrong for your area.  It could be out of date!  Regulations breed faster than rabbits!
You must check your own local conditions.
Copyright © Bill Bradley 2007-2012. All rights reserved.
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape