Speed Square Roof Angles

In this video i show how to find angles using a speed square.

Speed square roof angles.

Lay the lipped fence flat on the shoe and take note if it s not even with the speed square. Finding angles with a speed square whether you want to make a nice pitched roof on your kids treehouse or you need a utility ramp for your shed entrance getting the right angle on every side. Holding the level and speed square level locate the measurement on the speed square where it meets the bottom edge of the rafter to. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof.

Before miter saws and even since professional carpenters used speed squares as a quick saw guide for cutting 45 and 90 degree angles. Photo 2 shows how to use the speed square to mark a 33 1 2 degree angle the same as you would need on a rafter tail for a roof with an 8 12 pitch. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. The speed square also called a rafter angle or triangle square is an extremely versatile tool originally intended to help carpenters quickly and accurately mark roof rafters it is a triangle shaped measuring tool that s invaluable for the diyer s tool box.

The rafter square or speed square does more than mark perpendicular lines. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. Made from plastic aluminum or steel this multi measuring tool combines a protractor a try square a ruler a. A quick way to check the angles is by using a speed square.

A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Swanson was a carpenter in a small town outside of chicago. As a protractor for easily finding and marking various common angles especially roof rafter pitches and angles for stair stringers the vertical supports on a stairway. Check out some tips on working with a circular saw.

Locate the desired angle on the hypotenuse side of the square. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. The speed square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson. For example for a 7 12 roof pitch.