Timber Truss Tools

Tape Measure

• An accurate tape measure is essential to making straight cuts and uniform trusses. Choose a tape measure according to the size of your project, particularly the overall length of your trusses. Tape measures range in lengths from 15 feet to over 100 feet. The best type of tape measure for carpentry projects, such as truss building, is retractable and has a clip, called a "tang," attached to the end of its tape. Truss building requires precise measurements, so ensure that your tape measure includes increments at least as small as sixteenths of an inch.

Rafter Square

• Also called a framing square or carpenter's square, the framing carpenter cannot do without a rafter square, particularly when building trusses. Although many versions of the square exist, the most common and readily-available is a large, L shaped piece of metal. Like the letter L, one side of square is long and one side is short. The straight-edged sides this tool meet at an exact 90 degree angle. Markings etched across the surface of the rafter square outline mathematical equations and increments of distance. A carpenter places the square on a timber, consults the equations and measurements and marks lines across the timber's surface. The lines lain out with a rafter square serve as a guide for the angled cuts at which a truss' separate members connect.

Radial Arm Saw

• Commercial truss-building operations and professional framing carpenters often use table-mounted radial arm saws to cut truss components, particularly when working with large lumber such as timbers. The radial arm saw's circular blade slices through wood with its sharpened teeth. The rapidly spinning blade attaches an arm suspended above a stationary base. A radial arm saw's arm rotates and tilts to create both angled and mitered cuts. A truss builder places a timber upon the machine's stationary base, activates the saw and pulls the large-diameter blade through the lumber.

Fastening Tools

• Individual truss members typically connect by means of flat braces, brackets or nails. Truss brace plates often do not require independent fasteners, rather they feature integral spikes molded into their form; builders attach such braces with a mallet, so as not to mar their surface. Some trusses employ brackets, which the builder fastens with hammer and nail. Alternatively, large timber trusses require bolt-fastened brackets. Bolt-fastened brackets typically require wrenches and sockets for installation.