7 Construction Math Hacks: Estimating & More

Math is power... especially in construction. You can dive as deep as you want into mathmatics
as a carpenter and many times, the more you know, the more you make. The math shortcuts in this video are not complicated. Anyone can do them and every carpenter needs to be able to.

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[Kasey_Duke]

I run a small carpentry business with 2 younger (early 20's) employees. I had one employee tell me he was watching one of your videos the other day. I immediately felt comfort knowing that he was learning from a man of great knowledge and experience. Somebody who has a heart of a teacher and wise enough to have a YouTube channel to share that wealth of knowledge. Thank you sir for that. You are grasping the right audience that way.

[neby_nebs]

when young people like me say "where would this kind of math help" in school, NONE of my teachers have been as articulate as this. the hard part about "enjoying" math is seeing the fruit of all your memorization, but this REALLY helps!

[NPC__U]

I was good at math in school. On my first construction job we were laying out lines on the site for a lazy el shape that had piles of fill around it that didn't allow for clear measurements and straight lines. (this was in the ground for a foundation). My boss was getting frustrated trying to lay it out and I finally opened my mouth and tried to tell him how to use Pythagorean's theorem. After a couple more failures he finally let me do what I was saying and laid I it out in perfectly. This was 1971 so I had to do the calculations on a paper bag. I immediately became his lead man. Math is good.

[JacobGreeno]

I'm a carpenter here in Northern California been watching your channel for years now so many tricks and tips I've learned I always tell the guys I learned this from uncle Scott. Thanks the continued gift of wisdom.

[JOHN-that-is-me]

I can’t say it enough. You amaze me. I would love to be your shadow. You have so many life skills that I and the rest of the world would benefit from. I am not in the same trade as you. But the knowledge you share translates across life. Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing. Please never stop recording.

[ajwhittem]

3 4 5 rule. 43 years as a plumber/plumbing contractor. Invaluable. I am retired now but I volunteer at a vocational training school here in Medford and we teach this to all. Keep up the good work brother

[DITH]

I'm not even in construction. I'm a Mechanic but I find your videos absolutely fascinating and I've learned things I never knew I never knew and even put a few of them into action. And I have to say thats one of the most succinct descriptions of Pythagoras Theorum I've ever heard, brilliant.

[ChiefZomms]

It's like having a father teaching you some inside edge info... great videos. Really enjoying learning from you

[thomassilvis]

I enjoy hanging around people smarter than me. Having a cup of coffee and your videos is truly a pleasure. Thank you.

[PhotonFlightTeam]

beginning 2 AM, had a stressful morning. informative, worthy. Scott, gotta be lots and lots of builders who needed this and will use it. well done! ciao

[psidvicious]

Most people learn the 3-4-5 rule pretty quick in their constuction careers, but really grasping and understanding the formula for the reason it works (A²+B²=C²) is a real eye-opener for so many other applications.

[chrisfisher]

THE 3 4 5, 3x3=9
4x4=16
9+16=25
the SQUARE ROOT of 25=5
PERFECTION!!!

[mathematicalmuscleman]

Mathematics is most definitely Power. It is the fabric of this Universe. Having earned a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree in Applied Mathematics, I can truly state the sheer elegance and power of Mathematics.

[floridabeardedwoodworker]

This might be the most important you tube channel ever

[calvinclark]

Story time: Math DID get me a raise and some job security too. Set up: I was putting up tar paper with a GC on the second story of a building with a nasty grade beneath. We needed a length of about 20 feet. Without thinking too much, I peeled off a length and started a "new roll, " a circle with a one foot diameter--> rolled it 7 thick.... Here's the math: a circles circumference is pi if the diameter is 1-->7X3.14... is about 21, so about 20 (with a little bit to play around with). No multiple trips up the ladders or resets, no seams or waste, no wrestling around with a bulky roll and trying to manage it while positioning the piece and stapling... GC's face.. He asked me later if I would be happy with an X (about 20%) increase in pay (duh), and offered me one of the most genuine complements I've received in the trads or otherwise; said clearly wasn't another s*** head and he to keep me around.

TLDR: Use math to impress you

[James-tsnb]

You sir are always a wealth of knowledge. Keep up the excellent work

[Brian-Hansen]

I’ve never built anything. In fact, I don’t even own a power drill, but for some reason, I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work!

[mazzg]

Passing on wise knowledge....thank you for the video and for always trying to teach us!

[williammrdeza]

Great tips, Scott! This was very informative for those of us who occasionally build stuff.

[thomasgeorge]

Thank you for sharing these skills here for future generations. I appreciate all the hard work you do to put out these videos and I'm sure I'm not alone. Keep up the great work sir.