Tips on marking out / scribing structural timbers - like rafters etc

[RobinBHM]

I am involved in stripping down and rebuilding some dormers in a listed building (C1720s).

The roof structure is oak rafters coming down to a wall plate, but it’s seriously donkeys Hind leg territory.

So I’m replacing some of the stub rafters going from trimmer to wall plate / window frame.

my problem is both ends need angles cut some with birds mouth


If anybody has tips on how to mark them, that’ll be appreciated.

I know its possible to clamp rafter above and parallel, then transfer lines across, but that’s not so easy on these cuts.

 

[johnnyb]

I would make the birds mouth cuts on short scrap at both ends. Then measure from a prominent feature at the top to one at the bottom. The scrap let's you have a few goes and make sure its aligned properly.

 

[johnnyb]

Sorry the post was june!

 

[baldkev]

For future readers, i advocate a good adjustable roofing square.... you work out your pitch and set the square to suit, then, as long as your new rafters are straight, your angles are largely taken care of, just measuring and careful marking left