Abstract: A layout tool for scribing an arc includes an arm, a variable location pivot point arrangement on the arm, and a plurality of mark openings spaced from the pivot point arrangement. A position fixing member, such as a nail, is engaged with the pivot point arrangement to fix the position of the tool on a workpiece at a pivot point defined by the position fixing member. A marking instrument is engaged within one of the mark openings, and the tool is pivoted on the workpiece about the pivot point to make an arcuate mark on the workpiece at a radius defined by the location of the position fixing member relative to the mark opening within which the marking instrument is engaged. The tool may be a square, which is configured with two arms that extend away from each other at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A tool for laying out framing members includes a body comprising a blade and a tongue, the tongue oriented at a right angle to the blade in a common plane, wherein each of the blade and the tongue include indicia marking linear scales. Other indicia on the blade and tongue include information useful for building structures, such as roof structures. For example, indicia can include improved tables of data for marking and cutting rafters of various slope. Other indicia along the blade or the tongue indicate the length of the common rafter per foot of run as function of the slope.

Abstract: A connector for securing a horizontally extending member of a sloped roof at a selected angle relative to an upright member of the sloped roof includes a first portion adapted for secure engagement with the upright member and a second portion adapted for secure engagement with the horizontally extending member. An angular measurement section extending from the first portion and having multiple visible features thereon is usable to secure the connector to the upright member at a selected angle by aligning a selected visible feature with a portion of the upright member. Each visible feature corresponds to a selected angular relationship, such that a desired angle between the horizontally extending member and the upright member can be provided through selective alignment of a corresponding visible feature of the connector with the upright member.

Abstract: A fascia board support device features a rafter bracket having a side member for placement against one vertical side of the rafter, and a movable member pivotally coupled to the side member for movement into and out of a deployed position in which at least a portion of the movable member depends downward on an opposing side of the roof rafter. A clamping mechanism forces the depending portion against this opposing side of the roof rafter to clamp the device thereon, at which point a fascia board support projecting from the front end of the rafter bracket can seat a fascia board. After fastening of the fascia board to the rafter, the device is easily removed by releasing the clamp, flipping the movable member over to same side of the rafter as the side member and lowering the device to withdraw the support from beneath the fastened fascia board.

Abstract: A tool for use when laying out lines on stair stringers or roof rafters along which cuts are to be made. The step and rafter tool includes a framing square, an angle bracket and two carriage bolts with washers and wingnuts. Each leg of the framing square has a longitudinal slot which is about 90% of the length of the leg. The angle bracket has two central longitudinal slots in the first flange, each of which is about 40% of the length of the angle bracket. The angle bracket is positioned against the framing square so that two carriage bolts are place within holes formed by the overlapping slots of the bracket and square with washers and wingnuts assembled therein. With the wingnuts loose, the angle bracket can be positioned wherever is desired with respect to the framing square and then the wingnuts are tightened.

Abstract: A square with longitudinal slots in the angular arms, a rule having a longitudinal slot, and two clamping screws for securing the rule in various angular positions on the arms of the square, so that the scale may be shifted on the square to establish a number of angles, and be maintained at its adjusted position. Spirit levels are provided on each of the square arms and on the rule. The square arms and rule are thick thereby providing saw guides. The square arms are each marked with measuring scales as well as with markers for twelve inch or sixteen inch center layouts. The rule is marked with a plurality of degrees for common pitch lines and hip and valley pitch lines.

Abstract: An all-in-one combination layout tool is provided for marking center lines for spacing studs, marking rip lines, marking cut lines for roof rafters and staircase stringers, and other purposes. The tool comprises a rectangular base plate, an elongate locator bar with a rounded pivot corner, and two connectors to connect the locator bar to the base plate in a variety of configurations. The base plate includes multiple “pivot” points for pivotally connecting the locator bar, two strategically-placed arcuate slots for marking or making angle cuts, and two strategically placed parallel slots for configuring the tool to mark or make rip cuts. Angle markings are provided on two adjacent edges of the base plate, and 1/16-inch markings are provided on the opposite adjacent edges. The base plate is planar and has no enlarged flange or lip that would hinder its use in laying out staircase stringers.

Abstract: A combination measuring tool includes a main body having a first portion having a plurality of first graduations and a second portion having a plurality of second graduations, a transverse bar movably and rotatably mounted on the main body and having a semi-circular protrusion having a plurality of angle scales, a protractor secured to the transverse bar and having a plurality of angle scales, a pivot plate pivotally mounted on the protractor, and a ruler movably mounted on the main body and having a plurality of graduations. Thus, the measuring and drawing angle of the combination measuring tool can be adjusted easily and freely, thereby facilitating a user operating the combination measuring tool to draw marking lines.

Abstract: The invention is a portable trussetter gauge for quickly and accurately marking a predetermined distance from an overhanging end of a truss to a position on a crossbeam. The trussetter gauge has a first elongated member with a marking end lockably engaged with a locking and aligning member which is movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the first elongated member. A second elongated member is lockably engaged with the locking and aligning member and movable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first elongated member. The portable trussetter gauge can be foldable.

Abstract: An adjustable framing tool 10 for laying out hip and valley rafters 216. A planar body 12 has a measuring edge 14 and first and second scribing edges 16,18 disposed at right angles to the measuring edge. An arm assembly 20 comprising first and second parallel arms 22,24 disposed on opposite sides of the planar body is rotatably mounted on the planar body. The arm assembly extends across an arcuate slot 40 in the planar body centered on the pivot of the arm assembly. A thumb screw 42 selectively positions the arm assembly at any rotational position. The measuring edge is numbered in increments from 0 to 12, the length of the measuring edge being equal to 12 times the secant of the angle c formed by the hip or valley rafter 218 with the nearest common rafter 208. The slot is numbered in increments expressed as the pitch of the main roof 202.

Abstract: A framing square includes a right-angle square formed from a first member and a second member connected to each other at a respective distal end of each thereof and forming a right-angle connection therebetween. An angular measuring member is positioned at the right-angle connection. An indicator guide is positioned on a first side of the right-angle square and pivotally connected at a pivot point positioned at the right angle connection and moveable about a first side of the angular measuring member. An indicator arm is connected to the indicator guide and further includes a means for securing the indicator guide at a predetermined angle along said angular measuring member. The pivotal indicator arm and the pivotal indicator guide can be secured to the right-angle square resulting in a user able to consistently measure a same angle.

Abstract: A template and method for fabricating rafters. The template including a U-shaped component including a first arm with a slot, a second arm with a slot, and a base perpendicular to and connecting the first and second arms. The template also including an adjustable main arm slidably connected to the first and second arms of the U-shaped component, a seat rotatably connected to the base arm of the U-shaped component, and a ridge arm rotatably connected to a first end of the main arm. The template also includes a fascia arm rotatably connected to a second end of the main arm, and a soffit arm slidably connected to the fascia arm.

Abstract: An adjustable tool, and method of use thereof, for use in cutting a workpiece having a face extending between first and second opposite borders is disclosed. The tool preferably comprises an elongate guide member having proximal and distal ends, a bottom surface and a primary side including a straight-edge; a post fixed at the proximal end; an arm extending from the guide member, having measurement indicia marked thereon and defining a slot; and a movable pin positionable in the slot, the pin adapted to be secured at a desired location corresponding to a desired measurement indicium. The post and the pin are adapted to simultaneously contact the first border of the workpiece so that the straight-edge identifies a desired cutting line corresponding to the desired measurement indicium.

Abstract: A common rafter and hip layout tool which provides a protractor portion, a common cut marking edge, a common cut marking edge pantograph arm to which is connected a bird's mouth marking arm, a seat cut marking arm connected at a right angle to the bird's mouth marking arm and a tail length marking arm. The pantograph arm and connected bird's mouth marking arm facilitates the marking of the bird's mouth cut and the seat cut. Movement of the common cut marking edge to the location indicated by the tail length marking arm facilitates the making of parallel cuts for the common rafter ridge cut and the tail cut.

Abstract: An improved framing square having integral features for automating the marking and cutting of angles. The square contains two sliding carriages—one in the body and one in the blade. Each carriage has a deployable pin. In order to set an angle, the user first deploys the pins in each sliding carriage so that they protrude downward from the square. Next, the user sets the sliding carriage in the body to the desired position and locks it in place. The user then sets the sliding carriage in the blade to the desired position and locks it in place. The two pins protruding from the sliding carriages are then butted against the board to be cut. Once they are in place, the blade of the square will form the correct cutting angle across the board. Since many common cuts employ a twelve inch base leg, the invention includes another feature: Rather than set the sliding carriage within the body to twelve inches, the user may opt instead to deploy a fixed pin located in the body at the twelve inch position.

Abstract: A construction tool and method for its use in laying out stud marks. The tool is adjustable and is especially suited for laying out stud marks on a rafter of a pitched roof so as to be aligned with the corresponding stud marks on a sill beneath the rafter. The tool includes an elongated measuring member; stud-marking members attached to the measuring member in spaced, transverse relation therealong, at least one of the marking members being adjustable along the measuring member; measurement indicia on the measuring member that enables the spacing between the marking members to be set; and conversion indicia on one or more of the members that sets forth the relationship among various roof rises and stud spacings on sills and rafters. The method involves laying out markings on the sill and rafter boards with the tool including the steps of placing the layout tool along a first of the boards, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a folding framing square and layout tool which has an elongated base having a channel and two faces. Pivotally attached to the elongated base is an arm which opens up to a preset angle which is preferably ninety degrees (90.degree.) and closes into the channel thereby taking up a limited amount of room. At the end of the elongated base opposite the pivoting point there is placed a tab which allows the user to layout a preset distance for marking the location of studs. The preset angle of the arm with respect to the elongated base is adjustable and correctable. Linear gauges are placed on both edges of each of the arm and the elongated base. Additionally, pitch gauges are placed on one end or both of the arm and elongated base that indicate a pitch based upon the intersection of either of the arm or the elongated base across the pitch gauge. An angle marker is placed on the pivoting point to show the angle of the arm with respect to the elongated base.

Abstract: A measuring tool includes a primary body having an elongate rectangular primary ruler with a primary protractor at one end describing a segment of a circle. A secondary body is provided having a pair of parallel spaced members. Each of the parallel spaced members has an elongate rectangular secondary ruler with a secondary protractor at one end describing a segment of a circle. The secondary body is pivotally connected to the primary body such that the primary body is positioned between the parallel spaced members of the secondary body with the secondary rulers overlying the primary ruler and the secondary protractors overlying the primary protractor. The measuring tool, as described, combines in a single tool functions which would normally require multiple tools.

Abstract: A woodworking square having multiple uses. The square may be used to locate long and short points for trimming an opening and may be used to locate pitch line for rafters in a quick, efficient manner. The device also serves as a arc or circle drawing instrument. The device includes ledges so that it may slide against a straight edge and perform a cut or draw a line parallel to the straight edge.

Abstract: A slide rule comprises, to calculate the parameters of a stairway to be installed between lower and upper floor surfaces, (a) a first scale on a stationary body denoting the number of risers, (b) a second scale on a first slide denoting the elevation of the upper floor surface above the lower one and associated with a first arrow on the body, (c) a third scale on the body denoting tread depths and associated with a mark on the first slide, (d) a fourth scale on a second slide denoting the horizontal spread of the stairway and associated with a second arrow on the body, (e) a fifth scale on the body denoting the number of treads, and (f) a sixth scale on the second slide denoting the length of the stairwell and associated with a third arrow on the first slide. The first arrow indicates on the second scale the height of the risers when the number of risers on the first scale is aligned with the elevation of the upper floor surface on the second scale.

Abstract: A layout marking cut guide lines and drill hole locations on timber members during the construction of a timber structure. The layout tool is a quadrilateral planar body with a portion of one of its sides relieved to form a quadrilateral void. The layout tool has a calibrated linear guide slot and a calibrated arcuate guide slot used to measure and mark cut guide lines on rafters corresponding to various roof pitch angles. The layout tool may also have view holes for marking particular angled cut guide lines and drill holes for measuring the drill centers for foundation bolts on 2.times.4 and 2.times.6 timber members.