Snap the Stemwall Layout Ep. 32

[@tomneumair2025]

My father was a builder and I started as his apprentice 44 years ago. Like you he was very particular about the quality of the work and the importance of measure and remeasure and check it again. We weren't very busy when I started so there was time for him to teach me how to be accurate, how Pythagoras theorem works and how to double check from both sides to ensure the accuracy of the set out. 20 years later I went to university to become a surveyor and although I learned much more the principle of the basics is the same. What you're teaching on your channel is right on the mark (pun unavoidable). Thanks, I look forward to each one.

[@markbone5028]

A while back I watched one of your videos about building a ramp into an existing home. It may have been your parents home, I can't remember. I really enjoyed your work as well as the narration of a variety of topics during that video. I subscribed to your channel and bought a t-shirt. I wear that shirt sometimes at work as a one man new construction plumbing contractor. I work on some high cost homes in the Lake Oconee area of middle Georgia. A trim carpenter noticed the shirt the other day and we began talking about your videos. I made a new friend and the world got a little smaller. You're giving us some hope that craftsmanship and integrity do still exist out there in the contracting world.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

Yes Mark that was his Mother's house. Scott put off this proposed build to focus on Family.

[@FinishCarpentryTV]

New video from EC...Good way to start the day !

[@leozmaxwelljilliumz3360]

Boy that makes me smile seeing you comment on EC videos

[@slingflur]

Man, I was hoping this was coming soon. Thanks guys. My five boys and I watch every episode. Keep up the good work

[@N1rOx]

Time to have a girl mate!

[@slingflur]

N1rOx haha....no go for launch. 8, 8,12, 14, 16

[@stevebounds4285]

I love that the grandkids are there helping. They may never build a house but they are learning so many valuable lessons.

[@tehsimo]

This guy is like a font of knowledge.

[@loganpatterson4674]

Go ahead and correct it to “fount” while the views are low and I’ll delete my comment

[@firesurfer]

grammarist.com/usage/font-vs-fount/

[@BPollard86]

Arial, Bold.

[@eustache_dauger]

Bold Impact indeed..

[@moomastico]

Loving this series, tons of excellent tips and tricks here with a really good general overview of what's happening. One thing i'd suggest is that your glossing over some minute things which people of a certain disposition ( myself included ) would love to hear about. For instance in this video you mentioned having to fudge a few marks get the string lines to run true. It'd be nice to have a small explanation of which lines you moved and the reason you moved them that way ( maybe with a layover diagram ). That is real gold for people like me, an explanation on how your applying knowledge to this information at hand to reach decision, in a word Experience. Just loving this whole project, easily the best thing on youtube at the moment.

[@arkansas1336]

@Thomas Dixon...That "small detail" could be a loooong video. Your 'requested example detail' is things learned in high school geometry class and usually takes more than 'one class attendance' to learn. But Scott is "the teacher" that can give you the information you desire. I'm sure he might cover some of this as the structure is built as he will have many opportunities within the framing measurements/details.

[@moomastico]

@@arkansas1336 All very true and I'm quite comfortable with geometry, my comment was aimed at being constructive in a more general sense rather than anything else. Sorry if it didn't come across that way.

[@arkansas1336]

@@moomastico...Oops, my mistake!

[@ModernMountainLiving]

For me the minute, hate to say it "compromise" is that 1/8. 1/4" fudge on checking diagonals for square.

[@adampease]

Aspiring to learn construction as a "weekend warrior" with lots of projects so far, I feel like I'm learning from an uncle or older brother how to do it all right. Very grateful for the instruction

[@pashkokalaj4682]

I purposely turn my phone into black & white mode when watching EC videos. A genuine guy with enough knowledge to fill a library. Yourr wisdom adds enough color to the videos. Bllack & white just matches the character!

[@edh.9153]

Great Job! Yes! Things tend to amplify. We were laying out a lot in town for excavation on a house site, and noticed a house project nearby was dreadfully out of level while we were shooting our site. We were not sure how to approach the crew that was working there, so we went over and introduced ourselves. We got to talking, and they brought up the problems they were running into. Come to find out, the first crew were run off the site by the owner and these guys were trying to start to fix the problems. The foundation was over 3" low on one corner and nothing was square. They thanked us for telling them what we had picked up on with our transit. The whole sub floor was taken off and a new foundation had to be constructed. Horrible job! It turned out great and you would never know it now. Thank you for always demonstrating perfection in everything you do. I really enjoy watching your videos! You never know when some young person is watching that you are helping start out on the right path. Thanks, Ed Hicks

[@toolsavvyhandymanservices7736]

I learned from my Dad at a very young at that, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right." Clearly, you subscribe to that philosophy.

[@freb7331]

These videos produce the most positive and cheerful comments section on the whole internet.

[@psidvicious]

You’re right. Didn’t really occur to me until I read your comment. Very few haters or trolls on here. 🤜🤛

[@jiml5837]

Love the channel. Deviation accumulation or "Tolerance Stack Up" (as they refer to it in the Engineering world) can be a killer. The thing is that because deviations can cancel each other (If your lucky) or accumulate (If your not so lucky) I think that some people get lucky when they are starting out and never learn the lesson until... Bang the luck all goes in one direction and then they have a huge mess.

[@chuckmitchell4608]

Been there done that Haha!

[@digitalman269]

Something I learned while I was a GC living and working in Hawaii for 30 years... Spray lacquer on your freshly snapped lines so they don't disappear overnight.

[@Judahmangi]

My dad uses a can of dollar store hairspray to keep his chalk lines from disappearing!

[@robfoster5516]

I'm a joiner/cabinet maker and have been on my tools 33years now, being UK based it's very interesting how much you stress the importance of geographical location, not something we generally consider. Always a joy to watch a master tradesman at work, all the best.

[@MagnumVideos]

Perfect timing. This is the stage our new home is at right now. The poured the footings last week and should be forming and pouring the stem walls this week. LOVE THIS SERIES.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

There are no Masons around here, Did my own stem walls and pour with ICFs. Look into it.

[@younghoenig5553]

Best series on yt

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Thanks for the detailed explanation Scott, it never ceases to amaze me ,the level of skills you obviously have , and your three dimensional thinking, so that what you do now doesn't mess up something further down the line, a ruler, plum bob, and a piece of string,and some knowhow, built the Pyramids. Lol. I would just like to say how much I appreciate the time you take to give us these videos , all that I have seen up to now is great viewing ,and very instructive, Hope the Spec house goes well for you all. Best wishe's to you and your's. Stuart, UK.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

Scott I may have missed it, but surprised I didn't hear you explain the "3,4,5" Rule for squaring up. Good stuff, always good. Thanks

[@squashhead1374]

My father always told me the difference between an average person and an exceptional person is the willingness to learn from others and paying attention to detail. I’m sure EC listened more then he talked while coming up and now he is passing it on. He obviously pays close attention to detail.

[@gregcollins3404]

I've never seen a builder this fussy about accuracy. But I've seen plenty of out of whack buildings. I and hopefully a lot of other builders are learning something here...

[@rjtumble]

So you don't subscribe to RR Buildings? Kyle is at least as fussy about accuracy and he's the most fussy in the same stage of the build.

[@jandrewmore]

@@rjtumble I agree, this really IS the phase to be fussy.

[@kierandoherty1600]

@@rjtumble this is slightly more complicated than the majority of the rr builds

[@rjtumble]

@@kierandoherty1600 More complicated, sure, but the point I was making is that Scott's not the only one who works on being very precise at this stage: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWOXnJaBqpWef5I

[@SuperAWaC]

there's nothing for them to learn, they know that they are cutting corners, usually directly or indirectly at the demand of the owner.

[@marvincarvin1846]

Accuracy is like knowledge - it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. ALWAYS get as much of both that you can.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

I never heard this quote, but I love it.....

[@ModernMountainLiving]

Writing that one down....

[@candace3676]

"Deviations accumulate, that's a rule of building". I figure that's actually another one of those EC rules for life. Thanks.

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Scott, good to see that things are progressing, and thanks again to you and Nate for taking the time and trouble to educate us. I really appreciate your efforts.

[@chrisjamz2206]

Always fun to watch a true boss work his craft. Concrete was never my main line of work, but is sure fun to learn something deeper after all these years.

[@Finn-McCool]

As a cabinet maker I would always tease my carpenter buddy about tolerances. "1/8 inch!" I'd say..."That's enough to make me have to start over!" Then of course he would say "When is the last time you made a 50 foot cabinet" HAHA But to this day I must say he calls me on all of his cabinet work as a consultant. Never think that your 'network' isn't directly tied to your 'net worth'. They can both grow exponentially together 😉

[@cncwoodworxroc6881]

Also as a cabinet maker, in commercial work, 50 ft cabinets.....all day my friend 😉

[@Finn-McCool]

@@cncwoodworxroc6881 of course a 50 foot "run" of cabinets is commonplace. If each of let's say 25 cabinets were supposed to be 24" wide, they had better all be EXACTLY 24" wide. That 1/8" tolerance adds up quick.

[@cncwoodworxroc6881]

@@Finn-McCool all Too quickly

[@SuperAWaC]

i am a machinist, one thousandth of an inch is a mile to me, and stacking tolerances in the range of one ten thousandth of an inch can be come a problem. people often ask me if i can get their tolerances within 0.00004" and i say "yes, but it's going to cost you more to pay me to do that than it is to take this print back to your engineers and have them improve the design so the tolerance is 0.001" instead"

[@mcpheonixx]

I never had to work with wood but I made aluminum cabinets. It always amazed me how tight of a tolerance the human eye can pick up. I always held to the 32nd + or -

[@chrisbooboo3840]

I started watching you before this house build. I wait for your new uploads to watch your great execution and excellent video-ing you do. Im learning so much. Thank you.

[@andrewworley1776]

At 3:32 , it's a good example of "slow is smooth and smooth is fast". I've worked for both kinds of people, want it done fast and wanting it done right. Fast was always followed by cost repairs, drilling down beside rebar, bending it over to fit. I found it cost more to fix the problems, then lay it out correctly and let smooth take you straight through to the next step.

[@dylanmounsey7515]

Also been using that 6 twist line tie off method!!! So amazing! Simple and efficient!

[@frankstalteri972]

Excellent. This is true a building show that's I believe for professional builders the other craftsman and those who are just interested in seeing how a house or any other structure gets built. The shows on tv can't come close to your channel.

[@dblackjr52]

Its really coming together, and just like all my projects it's always so much prep work that goes virtually unnoticed as you narrow in on the variables at play and decide where and if the detail in question needs more persuasion. It's amazing though, when you can construct something regardless of difficulties and are able to do something so practical with your skills. I've been anxiously awaiting every video and truly appreciate the access to your content, Thank you Scott and Thank you Nate. I'm so glad this is such a stark contrast to the housing developments that I see down here in California that seem to only be driven by population density unlike this beautifully crafted home.

[@samiralbalushi4611]

Thank you

[@markwilson7423]

You help me alot I building my first foundation for barn you do a professional job you made me look at string a different way very impressive

[@Jessassin]

5:45 "Transfer the mark [...] gonna leave my pencil there so I can find the mark" It's little things like this - very simple, not at all obvious, but make perfect sense in context. Thank you for sharing this information with the world, this is definitely one of the best instructional series' on KZbin!

[@63256325N]

I worked with a fellow that designed and built custom spec homes and an eighth of an inch off he'd say it was big enough to throw a cat through. 😁 Look forward to the videos you put together. Thanks for taking the time. 👍

[@jimquick1855]

After we chalk the form we spray paint the lines with clear lacquer. This way rain or dirt will not erase the line making more work.

[@paultacy186]

Red chalk is waterproof, and just about lasts forever outdoors. And cheaper than lacquer.

[@niccomaker]

Not even red chalk lasts through a couple rainy days and foot traffic. I know. I've been through it. Lots of layout guys in California use concrete dye in their chalk boxes.

[@pluggergaming7195]

I’m a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter and I love all your videos. I learn something knew every time. Keep up the good work

[@jaynaforsgren4755]

Congrats on 500k

[@farmerbobsgarden5554]

i love this series of videos. you truly are a master craftsman. i have found this information to be inspiring and very helpful as i am in the planning stages of building my own home for me and my wife. i'm 64 yrs old and even though i have built some small outbuildings, i was a mechanic all my life. i never learned all the lessons needed to build a house.thank you for these videos. thank you very much.

[@semco72057]

That is nice planning and good that you all double checked to make sure the measurements was correct before going any further. I don't know much about carpentry since I worked in other fields and only helped lay down concrete when I was a teen and helping a friend put down carports.

[@CynicalDad81]

I love to see the little ones helping, and the womenfolk bringing lunch to their hardworking men...the old ways are not completely dead and it’s good to see. I took mine with me to the job site as much as I could and it is some of their fondest memories of their childhood they tell me.

[@thepsychonaut8212]

this guy is freaking hardcore! great channel

[@chuckmitchell4608]

Great video, l was never excited about Math in any form until l became a craftsman, now l understand! There is nothing wrong with perfectionism and you sir pursue it with vengence!

[@mathtime4578]

Very interesting. Nice video. We do basements with the major them being large and cut up. To do one or a few homes a year like this wouldn't be bad and accuracy is a must. We bought a total station and is worth every penny. We do more than just a few basements a year though but reduces layout time dramatically. Enjoyed your video.👍

[@2chipped]

One of my first jobs, was helping the contractor layout , a new house build. Squaring to the road, batter boards etc. The 2 most important tools, were on my first day. Strings, Pythagoras (3,4,5). Now-a-days they are spraying clear coat on top chaulk marks, in case of rain. Or using layout lasers. My tip for marking, concrete to hold visibility thru dew and rain.. Is gently going over with an diamond blade on an angle grinder. This mark is permanent typically on stamped concrete, so it needs to be dead on.

[@KetterHomeImprovements]

Thanks Scott, Really enjoying learning from you.

[@xavytex]

6:15 Gees, you're building the only square walls have ever seen. True unicorns ! When I started I used to be bothered by out of square walls. Now I don't even check if walls are square, I just assume they aren't. And anyway, my skills evolved in such a way that I don't even need square walls anymore (I do home renos: drywall, tile, floors, cabinetry etc...).

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

Those reveals make the retaining wall on the background so neat.

[@richardbruhn2499]

And thank you for a Monday morning EC video!

[@anonymousSyllabic]

Are we witnessing the creation of the first house with walls which are square, plumb, and true?

[@scottmoore8080]

Yes I have passed it on to my daughter who is a certified architect in MA. Just a nice video series of how to take a design and bring it to life. S

[@deanraffington1017]

Thank u maan ur a great teacher, wish I could be a part of your team to do some practical that way I would learn more .

[@Quietvibes07]

It’s a good day when an EC video gets uploaded! Waiting on the next one...... Great job as always.

[@Jack.333]

Scott, Have you thought of auctioning the completed home to the top bid ? Set a minimum and do a segment on the winner and move them in after the party. Great job I love it

[@ThePositron2]

Isn't that what happens every time anyone sells a home? They put it on a market, receive bids, and pick the best one.

[@Oilhammer]

Learning so much watching this series of videos.

[@kengamble8595]

Know the lot took some extra work for a house, but what a nice view ! 😊 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@terrysullivan1992]

As a ceramic tile contractor I've seen every out of square and out of plumb building ever. I'm not talking 1/4 inch or 1 inch, but several inches. Then the contractor/developer wonders why I can't fit perfectly square tiles in a trapazoid shaped room without angled cuts. How about a custom two story seaside house overlooking Laguna, CA. out of plumb by almost a foot. Ya ! 12 inches of lean. Builder planted some fast growing eucalyptus to hide it. Love your channel Scott.

[@Zthreve]

Good job on the sound quality. Most long shots outdoors are filled with wind noise or impossible to hear.

[@boboconnor1403]

I find your layout videos very interesting and I understand all the concepts but never having done a foundation layout I worry about my practical application. I'm filling a pool and will be extending a covered patio the whole width of the house that was previously occupied by said pool. I'll take what you taught and try to apply it to my new layout. Luckily I can go back and watch them as many times as I need to...

[@antoniohenriquez9902]

Such a great channel, I can watch it all day.

[@robert_wylie]

One more step that I would recommend is to grind with a diamond wheel on a grinder ,a shallow groove at each end of every line you have flicked out . because at some point you may need to reflick a line that has washed off from rain or covered in mud etc . even using black oxide I find snap lines do disappear . the few minutes this takes now once you are happy with your set out can save heaps of time latter if you need to reestablished a set out line .

[@joeseabert8391]

You know, this is better than what tv has to offer.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

What is TV?

[@joeseabert8391]

Gobuilditbetter good question. To be honest, I was just trying to sound smart.

[@TylerCox.]

Listen here old man...... I love you

[@Comiekiller]

Im gearing up to head down to Phoenix, OR. Looks like its still nice an clean while you were shooting. Looking at the fires going on down south. Not looking forward to breathing that. Stay safe guys.

[@philfoster4298]

Joshua Fifita The entire Rogue Valley is full of smoke of varying density that changes constantly. Not real bad yet but not going away either. Im in Jacksonville a few miles from Phoenix, no blue sky at the moment. Have a safe trip.

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Enjoyed.

[@strider6056]

I think they're the neatest house foundations I've seen.

[@michaelcarroll991]

I absolutely love your videos. I love the way your so meticulous about your work as well as I am. Keep up the good work. Cant wait until you next video.

[@Handleyman]

A good job starts with good preparation.

[@kevinobrien1933]

I strive for an 1/8" in framing even though it means a lot of extra work fixing/straighting the Mason's work but time well spent. We started framing for a company a year ago and have quickly become the go to crew for quality.

[@arkansas1336]

@Kevin O'Brien...Sir, 1/8" IS NOT CLOSE ENOUGH. You should strive to be 'spot on' everytime and if you're not, make adjustments before moving forward. I didn't like finding 1/16" inaccuracies in my framing work and the employees knew to 'get better'. 'SPOT ON' is just as easy!!!!!...."try it, you'll like it!"

[@kevinobrien1933]

@@arkansas1336 not to argue the point but most framing lumber isn't that accurate. Take any two 2x and they can very a 1/16" or more. Even engineered lumber isn't that accurate

[@arkansas1336]

@@kevinobrien1933...Correct, you just work to known established points!

[@kevinobrien1933]

@@arkansas1336 right that I do if a walls called out at 36' that's what we make it. It usually means adjusting plates in order to correct the foundation but it's worth it.

[@ILikeWafflz]

5:47 Stuff like that is why (well...one of the many why's) I like watching this channel. I've gleaned a decent number of little tricks like that that have increased efficiency at work, and I like keeping an eye out for them. I'll try to take notes as I work so I can remember as many as I can and, if I manage to remember some of them, I'll make a list in a comment on a subsequent video.

[@giovannifiorentino8947]

With this video you anticipate reward for a well done job since the beginning.

[@rtz549]

Interested to see how the blocks are attached down to the concrete.

[@Nightman2152]

Thanks for snapping the chalk line twice! I always snap it twice.

[@alexkeeney4121]

Awesome video series!!

[@rubenvarela4077]

Pretty good

[@grantgood8456]

Its nice to watch a gc that prides himself in everything he does. Now a days it is almost impossible to get some guy out of the air conditioned trailer. I guess they figure if they arent out doing anything they can always blame someone else for mistakes?

[@terrystephens1102]

Thanks for another educational episode, Scott. 😃👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@RJ-je2hg]

Awesomely informative video as always. I have learned countless lessons and skills through your awesome videos and have enjoyed the Cy videos as well. If you have time and feel up to it would you do an edc video on what you carry everyday on your person? I’m a big pocket knife fan and after your heroic tools video I’ve gotten hooked on carrying a leatherman multitool and now I don’t know how I ever went without it. Thanks again for the great videos.

[@outlandishprofessor]

So the old dictum of "Measure Twice" doesn't go far enough. Measure three times, four times, measure as many times as you need to so that you're confident you have it right on. Great video, Scott! Thanks for taking the time to make this, and all of your videos.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

confidence is no replacement for assurance!

[@badlandskid]

Reminds me of the old adage, Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

[@gilbertfranklin1537]

I saw a TV episode in a series that followed builders of somewhat crude cabins in Alaska. But one of them used a cluster of laser devices, one of which sat in the middle spinning in a 360-degree circle. The effect was to create a group of intersecting "light" lines, similar to strings, where they marked for sticks to layout the corners, walls, and other parameters. I guess some of it was the same theory that you are using, just modernized. But there was a storm, and some of the sticks were knocked over, then set back up a bit carelessly by others - which messed up the accuracy and caused problems later. As they say, the best laid plans of mice and men...

[@mikescheve429]

How about a video on using a chalk line? What's the best way to get a crisp line? How do you avoid getting chalk all over your surface when you pull the string out? Can you overfill it with chalk? Do you have to wind the string back up for each mark? Bet that would make for a good 5 min video...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video Essential craftsman

[@davidrutter3192]

Great job.Hope the hill never shifts for whatever reason.

[@mattberg6785]

Love watching your videos. When I was in my tools I did concrete[commercial, industrial nothing fancy], some piling and a lot of scaffolding [look up the sketchiest videos on KZbin and what we did was crazier]. So accuracy wasn't exactly an everyday occurrence. But the projects I do for myself I always shoot to make it as near perfect as I can. But now I'm trucking to try to preserve what's left of me so your videos help me work my brain a little bit.

[@mvblitzyo]

Excellent

[@Hoaxer51]

I worked with a guy doing concrete work who was a real hillbilly, he always said “string is tools too”. I always laughed when he said it, but he was always right about it!

[@nonompofana8915]

Hi. I'm from South Africa, I like your videos. I wish to see a video of a foundation built on a slope site

[@IvelLeCog]

Ehhhh there it is! 1mil subs, congrats guys

[@joeschlotthauer840]

I'm beyond impressed and lost at the same time, more comfortable taking the engine out of your truck...

[@Joe___R]

With lines you want to be permanent you should look into using an ink line, they have been used in Japan for over a hundred years and they are finally becoming more common in the U.S.

[@katesmith5010]

Stunning view!

[@Erelyes]

4:51 "Nice line" really reminded me of "Nice hiss".

[@uzi-el..nunes..xavier]

great work 👍🏽I LIKED

[@danielpistor950]

Great stuff !

[@cougill_trim_and_cabinets]

Always worth a watch. Thanks guys!

[@adamm2716]

wow nice view

[@arkansas1336]

More great lessons taught!

[@maxmoran1683]

Thanks so much! Great content. Keep it up

[@doctwiggenberry5324]

Since you mentioned Pythagoras as it relates to right angles, I thought I would bring up Bernoulli, which reminds you the faster you talk the closer to the camera you get. Just some BS trivia for you to think about. Love the videos.

[@-_James_-]

Using the same music as My Self Reliance in the beginning caused a few moments of confusion here. :D

[@janis1981]

Where is my handsaw !!

[@michaeldalton8374]

Jan Bovenberg Or spatula? That guy sure cooks a lot on video.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

Unless you get all fussy about it the editing software we use has the same music to choose from. Eventually you run out of new choices. I record my own sometimes. I did look for a yellow dog on the set.

[@gregbaksh3373]

The 2 best craftsmen I've ever got to learn from man

[@carolexo7269]

Ya, me too! 🇨🇦😂