How To Make Common Rafters [Measure, Mark & Cut]

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Shannon from www.house-improvements.com shows you how to use a speed square to measure & mark lumber / timber in order to make common rafters. Also shown here is cutting using a circular saw and includes information on how to determine slope / rise, etc.
If you have questions about your home improvement projects, stop by the forum on our website, where Shannon will answer your questions in detail for free.
Website: www.house-improvements.com
Facebook: / 180657245288627
Twitter: / house_improve
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Video © 2020 SKS Media. Videos produced by SKS Media (House-Improvements.com) are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in the videos is intended to give general guidance to simplify DIY (do it yourself) projects. Because tools, products, materials, equipment, techniques, building codes and local regulations are constantly changing, SKS Media cannot and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information contained therein. Further, SKS Media will not accept any claim for liability related to, but not limited to, omissions, errors, injury, damage or the outcome of any project. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project. If there are any questions or doubt in regards to the element of a project, please consult with a licensed professional. SKS Media conducts all matters in accordance with the laws of Saskatchewan, Canada.

[@jarrodholt3278]

After watching 2,176 videos on rafter assembly, this video was by far the most helpful.

[@brianschuele7437]

Where did he get the 400 to add to the total?

[@calvinwilhite228]

Lol

[@guidoitaliano7722]

If you ever decide to teach carpentry in school, I would be very interested. This guy should be teaching our young high schoolers. We need more trades people like Shannon.

[@jacquelinegutierrez4712]

Yes I like the way he explained everything

[@TheRicardo7500]

He is amazing!

[@oliviergagnon2592]

True. Love this channel

[@johnryder8464]

Yep he's awesome.

[@yummytummy88]

This is the most simplest method to cut a common rafter. A big Thank YOU.

[@cliffhillquist2377]

I appreciate your video. I just used your info for building a 30 ft chicken coop. My wife is very happy.

[@mikelitoris7001]

Omg you are amazing at teaching , wasn't boring at all , fire your cameramen for yawning 😂😂😂 no seriously keep posting . You make this world a better place already

[@EireFirst2024]

A good teacher is the main ingredient of teaching 👌

[@HouseImprovements]

Wow, thanks

[@rocketdogticker]

Finally a good video. This one is best

[@jrbjrb7425]

This video has been the easiest to understand out of all others. Thank you!

[@raycapella498]

You explain things sooo much clearer than all these other carpenters

[@gregorcykf]

This is the most informative video I've ever seen

[@ronchalmers5439]

This video is beyond excellent!!!! 1 thing to note though....you must account for the ridge board and subtract 3/4 inches on each side of the rafter run.

[@HouseImprovements]

If you have a ridge board , yes. Actually the deduction is also measured on the slope of the roof through the ridge board not just half the thickness of the ridge. On steeper roofs this becomes more of an issue

[@lesliejane50]

Building a storage shed with my husband. Neither one of us are exactly mathematically inclined. This helps so much. Love your videos! Thank you! Subscribed!

[@outofhatred]

This was excellent. I suddenly have the urge to go build a shed! Also, kudos on your production. Lowering the volume when your crank up your tools is very much appreciated!

[@HouseImprovements]

Awesome, thank you!

[@osfw0lf674]

HouseImprovemen0)4##@. >] yeah 8* 5

[@gregr1672]

Great video! I love watching them .I spent many years as a labor monkey for a self employed carpenter. He started showing me the trade as I enquired to know Why we did things a certain way. He was a great teacher ,you remind me a lot of him.He learned in high school vocational school using textbook from the 1950's probably .The big Orange Carpentry Bible I called it.Basic Carpentry principals do not go out of style or grow old . We built some huge custom homes with no blue prints only our drawings we worked on with home owners ,and could adapt if changes were desired. Using only framing squares, string lines , plumb bobs and levels ,circular saw. Thanks for your videos ! Being an old guy now ,I don't build things very often but when I do ,I like to make them strong and square . Your videos give good reminders of things I know but need refreshed on. Cheers ,and thanks !

[@Mandbec]

Thank you! I’ve been wrecking my brain on how to build a roof with all those angles, but I think you made it a lot easier now. The algebra came in handy😅

[@bobadams1696]

I can always count on you to provide the info I need. Thanks.

[@poilevale2173]

It's been 2 years ago since you posted this but I want you to know that really help me as I'm trying to built myself a shed. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom bro.

[@kennydemartini2169]

Perfect! No complicated formulas or jargon. This was just what I needed! Thank you.

[@valenntinoo]

Thank you very much sir, from us who are just starting out on the DIY journey. It is quite fun leaning to woodwork and get the calculation of correct cuts. Kudos to keeping your videos simplified. GOD Bless.

[@mrbillyd83]

Thank you

[@micha6887]

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Thanks, very informative 🙏

[@HouseImprovements]

So nice of you

[@austincookies]

This has been my headache for a long time now. I love how you explained this easily. Thank you. Subscribed 🤝

[@camcordernonsense5264]

"i know right." (valley girl voice) my dad wanted a fence. then it became id like a roof. i said okay dad but its not built to support a roof. filled it in got walls going and then...intimidation! ive seen some weird approaches that my inexperienced self thought, what but how is that strong? i asked somewhat experienced people about notches. they acted like they hadnt considered notches. ive been questioning this project and myself for several months. this makes so much more sense to me. i believe ive grown a pair and will have to watch a few more times, but i will be using this for my dads fence/ building whatever it is.

[@thomascloyd868]

Looked at a lot of these videos. This is the best one by far. Very well done.

[@azremodeling8392]

Please do not worry about your camera man getting bored, You have done a fantastic job explaining this

[@1671bryan]

Also another step is to always crown your lumber before you start laying out and cutting your rafters, keep all the lumber bowing in the same direction and lay it out with the natural bow facing up its much more consistent finish!!! Great video like always very informative 👍 👏 👌

[@eddyflo2978]

Fantastic tip, the crown of a 2x lumber is essential

[@joeydidomenico1941]

Stumbled on this video and after 20 others and still not having my "lightbulb" go off- This one saved the day. Super amazing thank you!!

[@HouseImprovements]

You're welcome!

[@ceciliaescobedo5624]

Hi Shannon, I just love watching your videos. You explain everything so expertly yet what you teach is no way intimidating for a DIY novice. This particular rafter is what I'll need for my little house. Thank you for patiently explaining this process. Your the best.👍

[@CaptainOaktree]

I worked for a knowledgeable carpenter for a couple of years. Every time I'd inquire how and why something was done, he'd literally " flip out" and chastise me. I hated working for him but needed the money. I basically took it upon myself to learn everything I needed to learn about carpentry to find a decent employer. Watching your videos is amazing!! You're a natural teacher. I wish back in the day I could've watched this, but there was no internet at that time. Thanks for your videos. They are truly helpful.

[@matteversole5980]

Hi, I used this method today on our deck project. Thank you for the help. Your videos are great and very helpful! As owner of a home improvement company, I have learned much from you.

[@Scotman7Up]

I've watched many how to videos but yours is the best for anyone without experience. Your calm simple instructions make it easy to follow. Most KZbinrs are don't realize what they aren't showing. Your videos are such that the least experienced novice can understand. A super thank you.

[@johnryder8464]

Excellent video. You're a naturally gifted teacher. Appreciate the effort you put in to your videos. I'm a total novice and maths and angles has always been my weak spot, thanks for explaining it so clearly.

[@monkeyman41333]

I have watched numerous videos on this subject, and this was by far the best one for my feeble brain to understand. Plus, you did it old school, like my father was, No fancy calculators. He though never use a speed square, just the big framing square. Thanks so much. New subscriber,

[@danielfreeman8634]

Best explanation on KZbin. Thoroughly explained in a clear and concise manner.

[@ms-zd3eg]

That was actually very clearly explained and easy to understand for a non carpenter DIYer.

[@christofferraby4712]

Great video. Watched from South Africa.

[@mrfruitsnacks21]

I’ve watched two other videos and yours was the best

[@MrEfortney]

Dude.... thank you. This 15 min video taught me SOO much

[@suzmaca650]

Thank you so much. I appreciate that you speak slowly. Your videos are the best!

[@afk41001]

You are a really good teacher and helped me understand maths in a way I did not understand before. The way you explain and teach is excellent. Keep up the good work !!!

[@BEAdventurePartners]

Great job showing how to make common rafters! Appreciate you're concise way of showing how this works!

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

"When will I ever use this in real life?" said the student to the Math Teacher. This vid should be shown in every Math class / Home school math lesson. Thanks for sharing... best to you and yours Shannon.

[@joelpele100]

I was that kid

[@thebeardedskateboarder]

Love your channel, Shannon! I'm always learning something when I watch you.

[@victorlozano2486]

I know it's been a While since you did this Video...But, just wanted to thank you. You Sir, have taught me something new. That will save me time and Money. I've grown tired of waiting on sub-cotractors.

[@HouseImprovements]

You are very welcome

[@donhill1825]

As usual, an outstanding, thoroughly explained tutorial. Thank you. I used your 3 way switch tutorial & nailed it the 1st time.

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad it helped!

[@accountnumber3276]

This is the best rafter video I found so far

[@driveman6490]

This video has given me the knowledge, confidence and motivation to hire someone to do this for me.

[@michaelballinger6419]

Built a partition wall thanks to your videos and now I'm gonna build a simple little firewood area off the back of my workshop. This is perfect, I can't thank you enough!

[@camcordernonsense5264]

sounds cool

[@toddavis8603]

Carpenter Shannon knows his rafters!"

[@YourRelaxMind]

Your explanation is really easy to understand. ❤ Thanks.

[@vanquish_engineering]

Thanks! This video helped tremendously! I got my numbers! woot!!

[@mwa1252]

I must have watched a hundred videos on how to mark and cut common rafters. This is the first one that, when I finished watching, I was able to understand what is going on! I've referenced many of your other videos as well and they are all great learning tools. Thanks for all you do! Maybe you could do another quick tutorial on how to calculate the height of the ridgeboard placement prior to putting up the rafters?

[@Davesmodels]

Simplest example I’ve found lately

[@p.chandler2189]

Awesome! Learned alot! Thanks for taking the time to make this video!

[@Jirehshalom0712]

I had to come back to his page amazing teachings I learn alot every time I watch his video Thank you

[@giseltorres2699]

You explained so so well that I managed to understand every single thing. I´m subscribing to this channel right now. Thank you very much, indeed.

[@buckparrish3392]

Thank you sir...for making this so simple to understand...i started building my own shed and wasn't sure about pitch...birdsmouth...ect... Thank you again for helping me complete this...

[@dorinb4085]

Thanks fellow tradesman 😊

[@Spook3910]

Great video and clear explanations. I’ve watched a lot of related videos, also with good content, but I learned a lot more about the speed square. Thanks!

[@anneklaasjousma4125]

Thank you. Perfect explanation. Just one thing. A^2+B^2=C^2 and not the square root of C^2.

[@HsingSun]

Agree!

[@jacobcathcart1473]

Wish I saw this yesterday lol still learning. I made it work through a series of complicated tracings.

[@mattdarbyshire4962]

This guy is the best at explaining simply. My go to. SUBSCRIBED

[@alexanderstevens145]

I like knowing the maths behind the cuts thank you

[@allydog3452]

Your videos are the BEST. I am building a shed, got the walls up (thank you for your videos), now getting to the dreaded rafters. NOTE TO ALL: Do Shannon's math BEFORE you get the lumber. I learned the hard way and had to reload them all in the van, lug back to the store, exchange them all (30) and lug back home and unload them again in 100-degree heat. I got 8 ft instead of 10 ft. Duh. If I manage to screw up measurements after this video, that is all on me. Thank goodness no snow-load to worry about in California. Keep making the videos! You are helping many of us out here!

[@tedsmith7579]

Thank you. I have been trying to figure out how to cut rafters for a deck roof. Tomorrow is the day. Thank you for your help.

[@stephencambron7943]

Must have looked at dozens of websites and videos trying to understand rafters/birdsmouth etc and was so frustrated as most were ridiculously and unnecessarily complicated. YOURS did the trick. We’ll done!

[@messygreasyhand5465]

Thank you very much for this tutorial. Just about to start on my shed project I already have everything drawn out on SketchUp now I am going to use your Technique and do a practice on my rafter cuts before I start, thanks again

[@eddieallen9847]

One of the best straightforward explanations...thank you!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Great tutorial! I’m going to be making footage in the near future putting my roof on. Your video is definitely helpful. OK I got to get back to laboring thanks!

[@caseyb7493]

I wasn't bored by the math at all! Most videos won't even go that in depth. So glad I found this channel

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad to hear it!

[@trdtuner7]

Great video! Have been attempting to repair some rafters on a old shed. This has been extremely helpful!

[@thomas8230]

Best common rafter DIY video I've come across. Thanks!

[@macmund]

Wow Thank you so much. Your video is the best tutorial on rafters I got. Simple and easy to understand. Stay safe.

[@brianlaporte7499]

Very well explained you took the time to lay out the rafter including the calculations and drawing . Your a well spoken teacher and helped me with my own home project ! Thank you awesome video

[@ericryan1681]

Thank you! Straight forward and a lot of useful information.

[@samel-amad7548]

Thank you for the thorough explanation. I have a good understanding now how to do the calculation for the rafters. Thank you for all the videos you put out as well

[@alexischavez7953]

The most informative one I’ve seen yet, thank you!!

[@davidwoollard8472]

This was a great video,i have watched so many of these and yours was by far the easiest one to follow without getting a headache.Thank you very much.,

[@brianwassmann5904]

Very well explained and demonstrated. I loved the sketch you presented to help explain. Not boring at all, very interesting.

[@diggybean2705]

Every time I think I've seen all your videos I'm always surprised with a hidden gem .You are my hero bro thank you

[@ebrahimamin8275]

Like all of your other videos, this demonstration was very helpful. Thank you very much for teaching us.

[@stevetucker2533]

The easiest explanation I have found!!!

[@DC632A]

Excellent tutorial 😊

[@MD-ot3nl]

Perfect timing! This will come in handy on my gazebo project I'm about to start. Thanks for yet another top notch video!

[@vincentosullivan4090]

I have learned so much in a sort video. A massive help to me anyone constructing a pitched roof.

[@hannah1033]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I am about to build my first roof and could not get my head around this. All other videos I have seen were way too fast and assumed some understanding/prior knowledge. Great video, simple explanation and a good pace. I have confidence m roof will go up with ease!

[@matthewfossen8942]

Absolutely a natural at explaining things! Thank you

[@RaoulThomas007]

Great video!! All the information in one video!

[@Billsunderoly]

This is Awesome, I always tried to figure this part, finally I know how to do it, thank you Shannon .

[@teluvv66]

Thank you so much brother. your instructions. Bring back all that I learned while in school for the military. I appreciate your pace of instruction and the detail of what you share. This is going to be the video that I used On the roof job for my garage. Thank you sir.

[@zeuszuki6698]

Spent all day trying to nut this out, 15 minutes later and this guy nailed it. Legend 🍻

[@BRTowe]

Extremely educational. I feel much better about the roof I have to build tomorrow!

[@littleelvisiscombatready9310]

Me too

[@safaafreeman564]

Thanks a lot, easy to understand really helped me after I got so confused with all math videos 🙂

[@psgamer2]

Very well explained! I knew nothing about this subject and it is all very easy now. Thanks for everything (including the math).

[@ThePowerWithinOnline]

This is so cool! I had figured out the lengths using the Pythagorean theorem, but I didn't know how to get the angles for my slope. I'm excited to use my speed square in a new way! Thank you Shannon! ❤️ - Marisa

[@flyfishing1776]

Thank you,I was stumbling on cuts for chicken coop.NEEDED THIS VID 👍👍👍💪😎

[@patrickjay6434]

Really enjoyed this video, great explanation, very simply laid out. Thanks for sharing! 👍🏿

[@stoneyj1a1]

Great explanation. I need to do this on my shed next week.

[@nicolescott1617]

Thank you for explaining it so patiently and detailed!

[@dammit7045]

Oh my gosh!!! Awesome. Now I can do this. Thank u for the explanation.

[@RalphSampson...]

Good explanation and video.

[@ksoriano9766]

From the bottom of my heart thank you! After watching dozens of videos finally found yours with easy explanation and teaching how to do it. I have a quite large gazebo I am building and this is going to help me a lot!!

[@HouseImprovements]

You're very welcome!

[@dannyflanery7466]

The only thing you didn't take in to consideration was the thickness of your ridge material.