How to cut perfect rafter feet or tails, I mark the rafters, then cut the rafters really straight

This is the way I have been cutting my Rafter feet or tails we also call this the eve of the roof, I talk about the process and demonstrate my teqnique and the basic tools needed
I also show a clip of the preparation of the rafter feet with the festool router
Roof construction is specialist and can be dangerous, please do not try anything you see me do without the correct training and safety in place
www.amazon.co....

[@videogalore]

Love the chamfer detail and that you took the time to cut one of the double rafters back at the wall line so that it doesn't look odd at the eaves. Great attention to detail!

[@winogod917]

Yep clearly knows his trade. He knows his worth. Routing the edges of rafters, if he puts the effort in for that small detail well the project will be of a very high standard. Great videos btw.

[@tlangdon12]

It was a great idea for Robin to show how little time it takes to add that detail; less than 60s per rafter foot. So for an extra hour on site, anyone looking up will see the quality of his work; and this will one of the few parts of Robin's work that is actual visible when the roof is completed.

[@peterbell4154]

Hi Robin, That's the way I have always set and cut mine, some carpenters I have seen pull a chalk line and mark it with the chalk but that won't work if a rafter is up a little or down a little as the line will cause the mark to be out or in more and then the Fascia will not be straight . Looks a tidy job as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@derekt7606]

Dam my wife heard you say about the dangerous tools and offered to buy me one for Christmas.

[@joshuamatheron1]

I use a similar method but would always use a level on each rafter as they will all vary slightly due to crowning etc. Nice job though

[@aidenboyle9946]

Joshua Matheron cx. Cccc. Cc.

[@mattryan1986]

Great technique, most people make the mistake of just pinging the line on top of the rafters with chalk line which snags on any uneven raised rafters and potential taking line out of straight and then using small bevel to add plumb lines which can be easily out of true if there any kinks or irregularities on the top of rafters. By isolating the string line from rafters and then using large roofing square ensures total accuracy and reduced risk of marking errors

[@kevocos]

The "mistake" would already have been made if the backs of the rafters are up and down!

[@denty32]

Matt Ryan I have put hundreds roofs on and always pinged a chalk line and never had a problem, maybe I just get my roofs a bit flatter than yours #justathought

[@mattryan1986]

Look out here come all the egos and dick swinging. Yes rafters should all be set right on the top but in reality timber bows can cause deviation at the point of the eaves. There's obvs different ways of marking and cutting rafter ends and yes all can work but I dont see how it can be argued that the method robins demonstrated isn't the most accurate which reduces the risk of any error

[@peterbell4154]

@@mattryan1986 You Are correct, pinging a chalk line is not the way to do your eves the end tail can deviate and some times does It doesn't matter how good you cut your birds mouth it takes just a small deviation in the plate and pinging a chalk line won't work Robin's way is the best way. Could I ask Does Dick mind being swung?

[@tomsmith9048]

@@kevocos not if they've come out of the mill that way one timber could be 200mm the next 198mm the next 201mm it happens all the time on every job I've worked on that's not the carpenters fault

[@rossmale8715]

This is the way I was always taught, on a very small roof I may cut the rafter feet first. On a long stretch this is the proper way 👌

[@davetaylor4741]

Reminds me of times past. My favourite carpentry job was always pitching roofs and we work very similar. Last 22 years Carpenter in Australia. Not a pitched roof in site all trussed. I really miss some of the complicated English roof builds with dormers and eyebrows etc. Now I put up numbered jigsaws which is not the same. The nail guns and modern tools help now. Never had them when I started 40 years ago. Love watching your videos keep them coming

[@dannyfinch6700]

Thought you were going to be juggling circular saws with that warning at the start 😂

[@elifire4147]

I do that for fun sometimes -=}

[@woodman8827]

Hello from Ireland Robin. Brilliant video, keep up the great content

[@marshp3]

All that work in 10 mins I think is pretty good. Camera technique showed how lined up it all was. Great quality 👌

[@jamesgordon8970]

Hello from N.ireland robin, great video, and tips as usual... we call them tails here so id a chuckle to myself as id never heard them called feet. Good warning for the saw as its needed for everyone who picks one up...Jimmy Joinery Works.

[@phillix5669]

Neat and efficient, as always. Same way I was taught. Funnily enough, in Australia, we call them rafter tails too

[@JKyfdo]

Top job Robin and great technique

[@TurinTuramber]

Great advice as always from Robin. Sure most of us watched this with scaffold envy for doing a single storey building / extension.

[@danclausen1775]

My first thought. I do each one from a ladder

[@jamesdutton2091]

Great stuff Robin,the cordless circular saws have made this easier than it used to be with a 9 inch circular saw.

[@skyecore]

American here. I love your videos and seeing the subtle differences, I must say though, why not cut them all on the floor? That's how we do it here. I suppose part of it may be that we would never have scaffold like that. Anyway keep making videos I'll keep watching them

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Skye, I cut the level soffit cut on the ground, but quite often until the roof covering material arrives we will not know exactly how much to cut or leave, we have so many different types of roof coverings here in the UK!!! also I can get an absolute straight line this way!! All the best Skye

[@omnibuildersnz]

Yip good technique robin very wise with the disclaimer at the start😉🤣

[@Guide504]

Unusually you pushed the line with the square and so the arrow became a little bent from half way! The camera did a nice illustration as it disappeared the cut ends on closeup. Damn cameras! Enjoyed the vid as ever.

[@kkahlon9972]

Hi Sir I copy your tips & techniques at work and my co-workers think I am quite skilled little do they know I am learning this from the best, thanks for all these videos it has helped me getting a raise in my wages. Kind Regards

[@ukconstruction]

Thats brilliant well done you!!

[@gevanleeuwen747]

Hello Robin, Well done, as always. I would have done it the same way myself. Good to warn people about the use of power tools. Most carpenters do not reach retirement with ten fingers. Every time you have to be really careful with the use of the machines. Keep up the good work. Greetings from a dutch carpenter.

[@jlewis1688]

Fantastic, thanks for posting the video

[@davidlynch991]

Hello from Ireland also. Tasty bit of work.

[@niczoom]

Precision work, well done.

[@timmargereson332]

Hi Robin, love your roof videos as I learn so much 😀 👍👍. Totally agree with you about the circular saw's, just take it really slow & be aware of what you're doing. I've just bought a Makita 355mm beam saw - total monster (for cutting my ridge beams) and you need to be really aware of what you're doing with that !!! Thank you for the great videos - any more information about the roofing square & app ? Hope you have a great day. Regards Tim

[@zitobin1]

Great tip for marking out Robin. Thanks

[@kevinbowden1155]

Glad to see I’m doing it the same way as the master. 👌. Nothing bugs me more than a wonky line on the fascia.

[@christophercrowle9753]

Man, so envious that you have your scaffolding at the right height. Seeing as your a lover of good tools, invest in an occidental leather pouch, that one is looking bit tierd.

[@Tez73]

Your a good bloke saying that robin about safety

[@JohnComeOnMan]

Even though we call them rafter tails on the side of the pond, that's exactly how I was taught to do it 15 years ago. Sometimes I'll use a torpedo level for the plum cut. Fascia comes out perfectly straight every time.

[@Stop..carry-on]

I tend to make sure the wall plate is parallel with the brick and make or cut down the existing template and run saw off that - ive also done it robins way too

[@BuildWithAE]

Awesome video Robin great tips and tricks, So true about the power saw, we would have to cut them by hand for many years until he was happy we could use a hand saw then it was on to the power saws hey, i've still not gone down the cordless route yet to tight i think all the best Tony have a awesome weekend.

[@1patfin]

When I served my time in the mid 90s. I was into my 3rd year before I was allowed use any power tool. I must say I think it was the best of training. The respect and fear of powertool gets lost as the years roll on. And the" take a chance" approach takes over to get the job done. A great respect for an unforgiving machine is what's needed. 👍

[@ninjasixrr]

This method work perfectly if there are no large crowns in the rafter,otherwise you need to plum down from line with a level on every rafter

[@ninjasixrr]

Makes a big difference!

[@joshuamatheron1]

@@ninjasixrr certainly does. Nothing worse than a wavey fascia

[@mroldschool609]

The force is strong wiv this Jedi !!!!!!!!

[@soa324]

Its all in the detail.. Nice one Robin

[@liviurabet7326]

You're the best Robin 👍👍👍

[@rueban96]

Great videos, I’m learning a lot!

[@johnmorrissey1675]

Great idea for the exposed bottom of rafters 🍀🇮🇪🤟

[@user-xs9ik4zd6e]

Very good work

[@MathieuDAVID]

i do the same but i make a chalk line first then with my square i scribe my plumb line. easier i think and quicker. and you also have a straight edge. maybe i miss something

[@johncoppock3823]

For those of us new to circular saws any chance of a video some time. Perhaps do it with a young assistant. Great video, and didn't think the saw use was unreasonable (perhaps I've failed the test then)

[@austinbyrd3710]

You are the coolest dude!!!

[@kevocos]

Proper method but I would have though standard among carpenters? I use a red builders line though, I don't feel a chalk line can be pulled tight enough to be accurate especially so on long runs.

[@anthonyharper5954]

Nothing is standard in the elitest world of any skilled tradie..!

[@Vinc-onhisway]

In this case it doesn't matter if it's a long run. The line still gives the correct measurement cause it's not moving sidewards.

[@2112kustoms.]

Prebuilt trusses, guys won't even snap a line to cut. Which does work, but stringing the tails is the only way on a hand cut roof. The tight string never lies.

[@longleaf0]

If you want a *REALLY* tight string line then buy some Dyneema throwline (find it on ebay or arborist supplier stores like FR Jones or Honey Brothers), a 50m roll is about 17-18 quid, it's 1.6mm (the thinner a line is the better, gets less effected by wind), it'll take 300kg to snap it unless it's frayed... I've tested it, made a rope swing out of a single strand, took my weight swinging about on it no problem. You can get it tight as piano wire even over long stretches. When I'm not chucking weights in trees I mainly use it for fencing, amazing stuff!

[@2112kustoms.]

@@longleaf0 like fly line backer. You can get that shit so tight that it will cut your hands.

[@bren4061]

Great stuff nice and simple many thanks

[@jonjones1170]

Wow now this is a craftsman incredible skill level really is

[@tlangdon12]

Careful preparation, a steady hand, a steady eye, and the right tool for the job are the sign of a craftsman. Well done Robin!

[@jonjones1170]

Tony Langdon he’s a true example mate really is preparation is everything

[@ef7480]

Great camera work !!

[@drgrowuk8830]

Great video Very helpful as this is a job I have to do Thanks 👍🏻

[@ashleyhall4378]

Good video Robin, like the use of square to plumb down, I'd use spirit level but much quicker with your method. How you getting on with the squares? Interested in purchasing one if you do manage to get something sorted👍.

[@superjoiner63]

The way I have always done mine the only thing I note is the wal plate is not always the most accurate due to varying cavity sizes and using face work line is often better

[@dougthebuilder1]

Don't forget to add the bird boxes in those open eaves Robin 😉

[@adamlancaster183]

Robin smashing KZbin at the minuet, camera man upgrade as well, absolute master craftsmen, would love to have been you apprentice. Keep it up mate

[@tlangdon12]

This is the beauty of KZbin; we can all be Robin's apprentice!

[@chrisgardner2597]

You’re an artist son

[@AB-nu5we]

Can't wait to see the fascia board go up.

[@steveworkman4289]

Great work Robin, nice now we have these dinky skillys aye

[@ukconstruction]

Yes indeed

[@johannesvanrooijen1773]

Hi Robin,its a pleasure watching you work. Any updates on the new roofing square?

[@rocky75094]

One line Robin!

[@kierandoherty1600]

Those turn ups on your shorts must be a great spot for collecting sawdust.

[@mattymc6802]

I normally just use a bevel with a string line to mark the feet

[@LoveNeverFails81818]

Nice… so nice

[@kiri5104]

Hienoa työtä hyvä asenne työhön ja hyvät työkalut Hyvää jatkoa👍🇫🇮

[@danthechippie4439]

Great tips, can I ask~ you put noggins between each rater outside the wall plate with some sort of black ventilation system. Is that to allow airflow and keep vermin out? If so what's it called? Cheers

[@michaelbrandrick9594]

Bird block I’m guessing it’s an open soffit

[@TheToolnut]

@@michaelbrandrick9594 I usually block between the rafters even with closed eaves. It stops the rafters from twisting over time, I usually leave out every fourth one for ventilation, 👍 🔨 🇮🇪

[@tmwoodhams]

We call them sparrow boards.

[@benchippy8039]

I might try this but with the hkc and rail to eliminate a step. I used to just ping a chalk line but there’s no doubt it wanders

[@peterbell4154]

you couldn't ping a line with my mentor years ago, you would be removing your hammer from a dark place always pulled a line through.

[@michaelgraystone7881]

Why not just use a sliding bevel ? Smaller lighter less cumbersome

[@DP80s]

Your cameraman's getting really good! How's his carpentry coming along?

[@Monavah]

Surely u can chuck a laser line down from a slight height. Unless its too bright to see

[@michaelplays2449]

Very good video ,thanks

[@CORRIGEEN71]

Yes the disclaimer was a good idea, 9by 2 ridge? What's the span and Internal height achieved?

[@katabrontes]

Hi Robin Great video thanks. What are the black ? foam strips for? I. assume it was the upcut at the end that prompted the warning. You could have used the square and marked the other side and cut down? Mike

[@24vince1]

Awesome robin, how do you keep all the sawdust & wood splinters out of you socks, I’ve been building a treehouse this last week & my socks are trashed 😂

[@jdickson242]

This guy is rare in construction. I hope you charge well !

[@jakestanton1350]

I was my uncles apprentice and he used to cut them with a chainsaw 😅

[@antonyporter5045]

I`ve seen that ! being done

[@wjm1676]

Hi robin, Was that just a string line in that reel or chalk line? If it’s a string with the chalk have you got a link? Cheers

[@solidus784]

I was on a job years ago and I seen the chippies doing this except their way was to snap a chalk line across the top then walk backwards along the scaff lopping them off with a chainsaw. Probably the roughest s**t I've seen in my life

[@cesvr.3747]

Ha

[@steveworkman4289]

Years back i became a dab hand with a small chainsaw and a lekky planer, if you have technique , this is quick and tidy[sharp chain req] trust me , great for big cut roof.🤭💪😇

[@steveworkman4289]

@@stevehallam6495 for sure steve, this was back in the day, and much bigger timbers then, and the type of timber allowed easy use in terms of accuracy, the kiln dried stuff today...well, haha sounding my age lol😅🌞

[@jimhorne2578]

Great video. I'm no carpenter or joiner but was wondering if you put the string line underneath rather than on top then it would be quicker to place your square each time to mark the vertical?

[@tomsmith9048]

It's just easier to set it up from the top as you can see what your doing but there's nothing to say you can't reverse it I've just never see it done personally 🤔🔨

[@moomastico]

Hi Robin great video. Do you have any experience working with the festool HK55c or Mafell Kss50 for this type of work or more generally ?

[@GregsMowing]

Great video Robin but why don't you cut those bits when you cut the birds mouth etc?

[@TurinTuramber]

You can actually but if they seat differently, your plate isnt perfect, rogue rafters means your fascia line could wander. More of an issue with shiny plastic fascias.

[@007_Damo]

What is the black DPM/DPC like material on the wood? Is it the same stuff you put on your decking frame?

[@glenfordspencer2987]

Hi there thanks for the great veideos. I'm in the process of completing my first 2 storey extension and I'm at roof level now. The hipped roof is my general concerns and wondering if you have and general advice?

[@wolfgangselle4307]

I do this “ technique “ as long I’m a carpenter and that is now over 20 years and we in Germany have a tool to marker the rafter tail and all roof construction in general, it called alpha square .... one think more I would say your birds mouth it’s pretty deep u lose a lot structure load bearing power. Because from the engineering point “ only “ the wood over the birds mouth is counting for load bearing.

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Wolfgang, thank you for your comment, I have seen the alpha square when I was at Dach Holz in Stuttgart this year, the birds mouth rule at 2 thirds and 1 third was based on using small timbers such as 75mm or 100mm rafters and if you took more than 1 third thickness for a birds mouth then the overhang is compromised, however we hardly ever build roofs with such small timbers, people want larger spans and rooms in roofs so we need the deep rafters for insulation, ventilation and those big spans, this means that the rafter tail or foot is always far stronger than a 75mm or 100mm rafter so in my case on this roof I was able to allow my seat cut to sit across my full wall plate thickness for greater strength, I plan to do a video on this very topic, all the best Robin

[@wolfgangselle4307]

@Robin Clevett ... I mean even 75mm or 100mm is normally nothing in GER ... it’s more over 20cm I’m not so really sure about the actual buildings codes because I live now over ten years not in GER anymore. The think is if your birds mouth is so deep then u lose a lot of load bearing capacity. And it doesn’t matter if it’s “ just “ the tail end ... I brought my alpha square here at work and when people or so called carpenter this tool see they have no idea what it’s or how it works. ... otherwise keep up your work I saw few of your videos and in general they are not bad at all. For me it’s not learning something new it’s more to see how other guys do it

[@ukconstruction]

@@wolfgangselle4307 We only have small eves here in the UK maybe no more than 600mm overhang and in lots of cases far less, so the cantilever past the wall plate is very small, thanks for your kind words have a good week Wolfgang all the best Robin

[@herbertherbomoore415]

Where did you mark the cut line with the rafter square?

[@mr.wizeguy8995]

Instead drawing each line with that jig you could just use that jig as circular saw guide clamp it in place and cut, even more precise.

[@azurmaglajlic1572]

It wouldn't work the jig would get in the way of the saw

[@mr.wizeguy8995]

@@azurmaglajlic1572 It can be it just need to adjust that metal angle that those wood strips doesn't come proud over line and then you can use metal as guide.

[@_babyjesus]

Nice.

[@davidleverett6347]

Who doesn't on occasions pull the blade guard forward and hold it so you can move the saw through slightly faster? I've seen much worse practice on sites including working a table saw without the riving knife or guards on.

[@okboston9086]

I yank the guards off every tool I own, been doing it coming up on 40 years and I've only lost 3 fingers in all those years

[@chrisdick5448]

Hi Robin, love your channel. If u don't mind, I have a question. I'm currently building my own extension and have ended up with a roof pitch of 10 deg. No velux or anything and the roof will have sarking (18mm osb). Roof is sheltered and will be tiled with low pitch tiles - with your experience do you think the 10 deg will be ok with the tiles?

[@PrettyGreenMonk]

No

[@alexmoules8630]

Are you going to put tricoya mdf for facia you do seem to like the stuff.

[@benjaminedleston6519]

Hi robin. Where your belt and pouch from ?

[@MarcosJ-mq4lk]

Do you not have a wormdrive circular saw?

[@mikemorgan5015]

There are a lot of ways to do this right. This one always works. But, it can be a little time consuming if you don't have scaffolding like this. If you can site down the rafters and they are in plane, a chalk line works fine. If your wall is kept true as you nail of your ceiling joists, cutting them on the ground is fine. Pulling a string on the top of the wall while nailing joists can save a lot of headaches come rafter time. But if your lumber is as bad these days as what I've seen in the last few years, you probably should just cut the tails in place. Go with what works for you. The end result is what counts. Getting that result quickly makes more money. Has anyone tried a laser for this?

[@MsElijah16]

Nice

[@ragingblood7791]

please rob show us how you tied that knot at 3.47. I've watched it so many times and still don't get it it looks so simple

[@cesvr.3747]

Put youtube in slow motion

[@RichieRich845]

What is the black tubing you have nailed from one end to the other? Nice work.

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Rich, this is a vent strip to vent the roof over the insulation

[@markb1971]

Great video.. Put ur tape measure in yer pouch tho 😀

[@timbarry5080]

Do u have a video describing your method for laying out and cutting hip rafters? Thank you

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Tim, I have one on skillbuilder look under videos and browse down and you will see it or google How to cut a hip rafter and its there, let me know if you see it?

[@timbarry5080]

@@ukconstruction Awesome! Thank you, Robin

[@covecarpentry]

What do the black plastic strips on the blocking achieve? seal off insulation perhaps?

[@ukconstruction]

Roof ventilation

[@fd1150]

How many closed their right eye at 8:25 ?

[@killbuzzinton]

Is it not easier to cut all the sofit and facia on the ground when your cutting the birds mouth first?

[@ukconstruction]

You can but... due to the way timber behaves and its tendency to move and some have a bow or twist, once you are all framed pre cut fascia cuts will sometimes be a few millimetres different and this is evident when you place a straight edge over the ends, I like to frame all the roof, and get it all fixed then strike a perfect set of feet using the method shown here, hope that helps...

[@killbuzzinton]

@@ukconstruction ah I get ya. I remember when I was an apprentice the lads would cut everything first and the we would put the rafters up.

[@Al_Fel]

I don't think filming while driving is the best way to get across being safe. Those split seconds you spend looking down at the camera could be dangerous. I think health and safety is important but sometimes it can be over the top for simple tasks. This was just a thought, I'm not having a go or anything. Love your videos!

[@markmarlow]

Another great video robin is there any updates soon on the roofing square can I be one of the first to buy one ?

[@ukconstruction]

Fancy a prototype?

[@harrylenton9984]

@@ukconstruction i do!

[@markmarlow]

Robin clevett Yes please I would love one I use a old Stanley 10inch used it for years and I do like the look and size of your square 👍

[@djjax1675]

@@ukconstruction just tell me where i send the money and i will order first thing

[@peterbell4154]

@@ukconstruction Oh! Robin, Sorry my friend, Now don't get mad!! If you Remember I am an old timer and have been using the imperial square for many years, But I have purchased a Gibson Metric square,( yes I know unbelievable ) I have been giving it a test run and really like it. I have a roof coming up in two weeks and intend to use it on that, can't wait. See you can teach an old dog new tricks and god am I old!!!!

[@k.d.8924]

I'm a yank so I'm ignorant, what's with the pipe at the plate line?

[@ukconstruction]

Hi K D we use a ventilation strip to provide ventilation to the cold side over the roof insulation, hope that helps mate