How to Use a 7 Inch Framing Square

A framing square is an essential tool for any carpentry work. The two main parts of a framing square are the body and the tongue. The body is the wider and longer arm of the square and is used to mark and level horizontal cuts. The tongue is the narrower and shorter blade that is used to mark the plum or vertical cuts on rafters. Learning to use a framing square assists in more accurate carpentry work.

Framing square
Measuring tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the span of the common rafters. This is the width of the building.
- 2
  Determine the run of the common rafter. This is calculated by dividing the width of the building by two.
- 3
  Decide the pitch of the roof you want to build. A pitch of 3:6 means the roof rises 3 inches for every 6 inches of run (width).
- 4
  Place the framing square on the wood at the top edge of the rafter. Align the 3-inch measurement on the short side of the square with the top edge of the rafter and the 6-inch measurement on the long side of the square with the top edge of the rafter.
- 5
  Draw a line along the outside edge of the framing square with a pencil. This line indicates where to make a cut to build the rafter.

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