Rafters

[JDiehl]

I am going to be building a 8'x10' shed in the backyard next week and need a little info on cutting the rafters. It will be a 4/12 pitch and the rafters will have no tails. How do I find the long angle that will set on the top of the wall?

 

[fest3er]

IIRC, arctangent(4/12) gives the angle: 18. 43 degrees. (If your calculator works in radians, multiply the result by 180/3. 1415926 to obtain degrees).

You could also use a framing square to set the exact angle. Use any combination of lengths (pitch) that fits 1:3 ratio: 4"/12", 1"/3", 2"/6". Oh, right; cutoff saws are set in degrees. Hmm. Perhaps you could apply the framing square to the cutoff saw in a similar manner to find the proper angle so you don't have to resort to using a calculator.

 

[JDiehl]

I will try that and go buy a framing square. It's been along time since I had a project like this. Thanks

 

[Hoefler]

Find a good metal speed square. It is marked in roof pitch and degrees. Read the little booklet that comes with it, once you start using it, it will become a breeze.

 

[kenny61]

Rafter Angle Calculator

 

[JDiehl]

Thanks for all the info guys! Next week will be much more enjoyable with out wasting all my wood just guessing.

 

[kenny61]

cut 2 and make sure they fit once they are good use one as a template to mark the rest. when you put tem up do both ends then the middle also do not do one side then the other do both sides as you work. this will prevent the weight from pushing any side out