Cutting Rafters Accurately

Cutting rafters is not hard, the difficulty lies in finding the correct rafter length and using the framing square to lay them out accurately. Nice tight rafter cuts are the key to a sturdy well built roof. On this web page I will discuss the techniques used for cutting common roof rafters.

There are only three basic methods I use to cut and mark rafters. These I call one at a time, marking all at once, and gang cutting.

Cutting one at a time is the simplest way to learn to cut common rafters. I would recommend this technique to all homeowners, rookie carpenters, or anyone building a small shed or other simple structure. This method requires the least amount of tools and carpentry experience to accomplish the task at hand.

Marking rafters all at once is a way to gain speed over the one at a time technique, but requires more time to set up. It works well on larger rafters especially if there are several rafters to be cut. It requires no special tools but should only be used by highly skilled carpenters.

Gang cutting rafters requires specialized tools that are very expensive, upwards of $1,000. Unless you have a pocket full of money or a truckload of rafters to cut, better to leave this method to the pros.

Cutting Rafters One at a Time

One at a time is the best way for cutting a few rafters for a small shed, dormer, or even a 24' by 24' garage. The steps involved are fairly simple and once a rafter template has been made can be performed by anyone reasonably skilled with a circular saw.

basic roof framing

framing square

To make it easier to use the rafter pattern, cut two pieces of plywood or similar material at 12" X 3". Secure the plywood strips to the top edge of the rafter leaving 3/4 of an inch hang over each side of the rafter. One strip near the top and the other on the height above plate mark just above the birds mouth.

stock

will fit

Only mark and cut two more rafters at this time, we need to test them to fit before cutting all the rest. You will probably be forgiven for cutting three rafters wrong, but forty wrong, may find you honing your carpentry skills on a different job site.

plumb

Now is the time to make any corrections if necessary. Once you are satisfied with the rafters go ahead and mark and cut the rest.

When you start cutting rafters do the top or plumb cut first and then move on to the tail cuts saving the birds mouth for last.

Don't give up your rafter pattern until you hear the words "I need one more".

Marking Rafters All at Once

All of the rafters can be marked at once with the aid of some simple site built tools. After they are marked for length the top plumb, birds mouth, and tail cuts can be marked. A smaller rafter template can be made with the proper cuts eliminating the need to move around a full sized template, 22' X 2 X 8 rafters are not uncommon, they are heavy and awkward to handle.

A set of heavy duty cutting horses can be built on site to hold a rack of rafters. All you really need are four 30" 2 X 6s, two 16' 2 X 10s or 8s, and twelve triangular shaped blocks. The cut outs from stair stringers work well for these blocks. Once the horses are built they can easily be moved to other job sites.

Build the cutting horses on level ground close to the lumber pile, so you won't have to move the heavy rafters any further than necessary.

Place the rafter stock in the horses crown up with about a foot hanging over on both ends.

Flush up what will be the top plumb cut of the rafters on one end. A good way to do this is with a 2 X 4 held on edge against the end and tapping the rafters back and forth until they are all in a square line.

Use the triangular blocks to push the rafters tightly together. I prefer to use screws to secure the blocks because the are easier to remove and won't move the rafters around like driving in nails.

On the top edge of one side of the rack measure / mark the length of the birds mouth and tail cut. Do the same thing on the other side of the rack and snap a chalk line to mark the rafters in between.

After the reference lines are correctly marked the rafters can then be taken out of the rack and placed on their side with the crown facing away from you.

Using the smaller rafter template mark the plumb cut and move on down and the HAP mark with the one on the rafter stock and mark the birds mouth and tail cuts.

As before you should always test two of the rafters before you begin cutting rafters in earnest.

Gang Cutting Rafters

If you are considering using this technique then you must already know how to lay out and cut rafters. There are some expensive tools involved with gang cutting but the time saved is great if you know what you are doing. This procedure insures that all rafters will be the same so bear in mind if they are wrong they will all be wrong.

Place the rafters in the cutting rack with the crowns facing down.

ï»¿Square up and secure the rafters with the blocks and straps or whatever it takes to get them lined up reasonably well.

ï»¿Mark and snap lines for the plumb, birds mouth, and tail cuts.

ï»¿Using a worm drive saw and Prazi Beam Cutter set the saw to the correct angle and make the top and tail cuts.

ï»¿Using a Big Foot Big Boy 15 Amp 14-Inch Wormdrive Circular Saw set it to the correct angles and make the birds mouth cuts in two separate passes.