Multi-Purpose Framer's Speed Square
A multi-purpose framer's speed square in the form of a right triangle comprising a top plate with a T-shaped edge and a series of etched top plate lines including framing top plate call outs, a notched front edge having a plurality of notches spaced along the length in ¼″ increments, ruler etching callouts, and lumber width callouts denoting lumber sizes, and a hypotenuse edge having etched top plate lines, common rafter window plumb cut outs and a hip/valley section disposed above the hypotenuse edge having etched degrees and hip/valley roof rafter plumb cuts.
1 . A multi-purpose framer's speed square in the form of a right angle triangle comprising:
a. a top plate having a T-shaped edge, a first top end, a second top end, and an upper surface having a series of etched top plate lines markings including framing top plate callouts;
b. a notched front edge having a first end and a second end, said first end of said notched front edge extending downwardly at a 90° angle from said first top end, said notched front edge having a plurality of notches spaced along the length thereof in quarter inch (¼″) increments, having etched markings ranging from one-eighth inch (⅛″) to seven-and-seven eighth inch (7⅞″) for ruler callouts, and lumber width callouts denoting 2×2, 2×4 and 2×6 lumber sizes;
c. a pivot point located at said 90° angle;
d. a hypotenuse edge having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end joined to said second end of said notched front edge at a 45° angle and said distal end joined to said second top end of said top plate at a 45° angle, said hypotenuse edge having top plate lines markings and common rafter window plumb cuts markings with pitches from 1 through 24 and 12″, and a hip/valley section disposed above said hypotenuse edge, and
e. a front face and a rear face, both etched identically with indicia in calibrated scales for rafter, angle, and linear measurements.
2 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said framing top plate callouts are 2×2, 2×4, 2×8 and DBL 2×4 etched markings.
3 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said plurality of notches along the length of said notched front edge range from one quarter inch (¼″) to seven-and-one-quarter inch (7¼″) cutouts.
4 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said notches facilitate scribing lumber for ripping, said notches for the rip scribe cut outs each being about one-sixteenth inch ( 1/16″) wide and about one-eighth inch (⅛″) deep.
5 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said hip/valley section disposed above the hypotenuse edge comprises a hip/valley looking window having etched degrees markings ranging from 1° to 65° below said hip/valley looking window and etched degrees markings 66° to 89° etched along the proximal length, and hip/valley roof rafter plumb cuts markings with pitches 1 through 24 and 16.97″ etched above said hip/valley looking window.
6 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a first looking window disposed below said top plate, said first looking window having an etched 2× King Stud/Trimmer layout marking and a second looking window disposed below said top plate, said second window having an etched 4× King Stud/Trimmer layout marking.
7 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 which is configured to be carried in the pocket of a standard framer's tool apron.
8 . The multi-purpose framer's speed square in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the common rafter markings are placed along the hypotenuse edge.