Framing Square Pro Tips

If you are new to carpentry, be aware that this video does NOT EVEN TRY to explain all of the uses of a framing square (also referred to as a steel square) but rather is an overview to provoke appreciation! For an in depth study I recommend "Essential Guide to the Steel Square "
by Ken Horner

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[TheDadx]

The scale you wondered about is an octagon scale. It was used to layout octagonal gable vents and windows as well as octagonal cross-sectioned poles/timbers. The proportions could be scaled up or down as necessary. Both were frequently used around here back in the day. At one time many poles were octagonal, as it is a good, rigid profile while reducing some of the unnecessary weight of a round pole.

You're correct, the framing square is a tragically unappreciated piece of analog computing equipment.

My Dad had three older carpenters of my grandfather's generation that worked for him. He put me with them and told them to train me. That was a tremendous gift that gave me a huge boost in my youth by allowing me to benefit from their knowledge, wisdom, economy and efficiency of effort, and their astounding productivity without seeming to get into any great hurry. I also learned how to sharpen hand tools, saws, etc. and realized there can still be a place for them on a modern job site.
Last week, we reversed the "hand" on a door for a client that wanted to reuse a 150 year old door in a building from 1839. With a router plane, chisel and a # 4 1/2 plane, it was finished before the laborer could round up the extension cord, router, the hinge templates and the electric door plane.
Keep up the great work you're doing! There's no other source, for many people, for what you teach!

[ethanross]

This man speaks purely from experience. He is so proud of his knowledge and the skills he has learned and practiced. And I really appreciate your generosity in sharing you skills and knowledge that you value.

[leemartin]

I am a young carpenter. I grew up working for the builders whom my dad sold lumber, since I was able to use tools. I have a college degree, but I enjoy carpentry so much I do not use my degree. Fortunately for me very few people my age know how to run a job site start to finish, so I have my own company at 31. I truly feel blessed to be a carpenter, and I enjoy my trade every day! I will teach my children the skills I have learned even if they want to do something else, because this knowledge is so valuable. This channel is amazing, and I hope one day to be as learned a craftsman as you old timers who inspire me on a regular basis! Also if Jesus was a carpenter, then I couldn't find a better path to follow.

[jerrysmith]

"Tuning a Square". That is freaking amazing! Never heard of that and would have never even considered such a thing. Your videos are so peaceful, relaxing, enjoyable and so bloody informative. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge. The world is a better place because of you.

[atokeman]

There’s over 6k comments so I don’t expect you see this. But I’m commenting on this video having watched many.

You’re the father figure I didn’t realize I could ask for. Meaning, your attitude, your gumption is so far past anything else I’ve seen. And I grew up on New Yankee workshop. To be honest, you’re as good in your own way as NYWS. But you got something special. You’re a true mentor.

You ARE INCREDIBLE to share all your knowledge. I’m a first time home owner and your videos give me so much confidence. You sir. Are absolutely amazing.

Thank you so much for your time and effort. 🧡

[scottharrington]

I've been a metal stud framer for over 27 year's and am considered a journeyman carpenter. I've installed 100's of roof's and put in probably 500 footer's too.. With all my hard work and plenty of experience in the construction trade in general. But I do have to say that after watching your video that you did show me a couple tricks that I didn't even know. So that tells me that your never to old to learn something new. Thanks for the tips.

[daveyjones]

13:45 I'm sure someone has already mentioned this, but that is the octagon scale. If a square piece has side lengths of 'x' and you want to make a perfect octagon, lay out dividers on the scale to the appropriate 'x'-th dot and mark in from either side of a centre mark for all four sides. Connect each of these points to the nearest on the adjacent side and the result will be a perfect octagon. Note that the stock must be trued and squared and actually *square* for this to work.

[jeanmorin]

I've had a carpenter square for years and never used it for anything else than to draw a right angle and to measure length. My father once told me that his father, a foreman in carpentry, knew how all of these tables worked, yet with very little formal education (and fourteen children). The image of that man always stood tall in my memory. Surely, a man who can use a carpenter square nimbly can sort out a straight line of thought. This Essential Craftsman certainly proves that... Superbly well done video. Much obliged for the smooth and rightly pitched education.

[gsh]

1st.... I doubt we know much more than each other... I'm a life long carpenter and I still love carpentry, working outdoors,  and standing back and looking at what we've just built from scratch. There's no better feeling.  The mystery scale you spoke about is an Octagon scale used to lay out octagons from a square.  That's right,   an Octagon scale.  Can ya believe it, ? One of the easiest scales on the square to use but nobody ever uses it.    Who is ever gonna use that unless you specialize in yard gazebos.. haha, and I doubt even they use it.  P.S.  You know more, I'm always picking up something new from your channel

[nakamakai]

I just love your videos. You are explaining many of the aspects of the craft, the tools, the methods, and the "how not to"s (that are worth gold), that many of us have wondered about for years - - and you accomplish this without condescension or making us feel stupid. The world needs more teachers and mentors like you. Thank you.

[tutube]

as someone used to work with metric system... the only thing i understood is that there is a scorpion in that candy.

[Nondescript]

I’m not a carpenter, I know nothing of your trade but I wanted to thank you for your work. Please keep it going, this younger generation needs this information. They don’t know it yet but they do. Way too many kids these days that think they’re going to be influencers and make millions of easy quick dollars. When reality hits them they need to learn a trade and outstanding channels like yours will be there to help them. Thank you!!!!

[patrickconnolly]

i bow to you am a self taught carpenter and repair contractor out of necessity...as a young man no one would apprentice me...the era of affirmative action was in full swing... so i read and read and read and when the opportunity presented itself would ask as many questions as the tradesmen would tolerate....blessed are the ones who were honored and privileged to work for and under you...thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills....pat connolly...detroit

[SuperSaltydog]

This channel is pure gold for any skilled tradesman, craftsman or diy homeowner

[banjo]

When I did my carpentry apprenticeship I had the privilege of being taught by Jim Ruthven. When Stanley Tools developed their metric rafter square they hired Jimas a consultant.
The story was told that Jim was helping another instructor build the roof on his house. The roof was a complicated roof with in uneven slopes, hips and valleys. Jim pulled up with a radial arm saw on the back of his truck and asked for the length of the first common rafter; it was the only measurement he asked for! He cut every rafter on the house without any further measurements from the crew. The man was a genius when it came to a rafter square and also his understanding of geometry. He would tell us to get our “gizintas” out and would proceed to do mental calculations faster than we could punch numbers into our calculators.
I am forever in his debt and have a great appreciation of the marvel that is a rafter square because of him. You remind me of Jim and your video has brought back many fond memories of a true craftsman.

[glenkelley]

So Glad I found you! I have been wandering around for 70 years not knowing how to use rafter tables. God Bless your fine talent for sharing information!

I could sit here all day watching your many fine presentations, but duty call!

[Tunafish]

By far my favorite YouTube at this point. I'm a framer by trade and I love watching your enthusiasm and respect for the trade. Keep up the amazing work!

[zombiediarhea]

This cat is a construction legend. He's got knowledge and skills and has worked hard in his lifetime. You can tell by his hands.

[rickyjames]

I love that he takes the time to try to help others learn this craft. I'm in my late 30's, always loved working with wood and building things, but definitely not a professional. I love learning new things and little techniques to be better. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.. all the respect in the world to you sir💯

[littleshopofsawdust]

I sincerely hope that you continue to make a lot more carpentry videos. I love that you present things in a clear, concise manner, spoken from a guy who has a vast amount of experience. I've watched your Skil Saw videos dozens of times. I absolutely love watching you toss that heavy rascal around like a toy.

Please continue to offer us gems like these. Thank you sir.