Framing guide

1. A framing tool comprising:

an elongated guide having a stud side coupled to a nail side by an intermediate side;

the stud side, intermediate side, and nail side forming a substantially “n” shaped guide cross-section with an elongated slot;

the elongated slot for receiving a horizontal framing member;

the stud side including a plurality of pockets for receiving respective ends of vertical framing members;

the nail side including a plurality of nailing windows;

the guide being movable along an upper horizontal framing member of arbitrary length for aiding alignment and fixation of vertical framing members with the upper horizontal framing member;

the guide being movable along a lower horizontal framing member for aiding alignment and fixation of the vertical framing members with the lower horizontal framing member;

wherein the stud side is opposite the nail side;

wherein each pocket has three closed sides and an open side formed to orient sides of the vertical framing member at an angle with respect to the intermediate side;

plural first leveling devices, each first leveling device located between a respective pair of adjacent pockets in a first plane substantially parallel to the stud side for indicating a level of the guide;

each nailing window is generally opposed to a respective one of the stud side pockets; and,

plural insets, each inset located between a respective pair of adjacent pockets.

2. The framing tool of claim 1 wherein each inset has a surface depressed with respect to the intermediate side and about parallel to the intermediate side.

3. The framing tool of claim 2 further including a second plurality of leveling devices located in a second plane at an angle with respect to the first plane.

4. The framing tool of claim 2 further including plural second leveling devices, a second leveling device fixed to each depressed surface for indicating a level of the guide.

5. The framing tool of claim 4 further including a plurality of viewing windows, each viewing window for exposing a junction between a respective vertical framing member and the horizontal framing member.

6. The framing tool of claim 5 further including a hinge coupling the intermediate side and the stud side, the hinge operable to facilitate sliding of the framing guide along a horizontal framing member.

7. A method of constructing a framed wall, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a framing guide with a stud side having stud pockets, a nailing side having nailing windows, an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nailing sides, and an open side for accessing an elongated slot between the stud and nailing sides;

providing a first plurality of leveling devices coupled to the stud side and a second plurality of leveling devices coupled to the intermediate side;

interengaging the elongated slot and a bottom horizontal framing member;

interengaging first ends of a plurality of vertical framing members with respective stud pockets;

fastening the first end of each vertical member to the bottom horizontal member;

relocating the guide and interengaging the elongated slot and a top horizontal framing member;

interengaging second ends of the plurality of vertical framing members with respective stud pockets;

fastening the second end of each vertical member to the top horizontal member;

turning up and locating the wall in its intended position in a structure;

using the guide leveling devices to orient the wall with respect to a foundation;

using the guide leveling devices to orient the wall with respect to an adjacent structural member;

fastening the wall to the foundation; and,

fastening the wall to an adjacent structural member.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of:

relocating the guide when the number of vertical framing members exceeds the number of stud pockets;

interengaging one of the stud pockets with a vertical framing member adjacent to where the next vertical framing member will be joined;

interengaging an end of the next vertical framing member with a respective one of the stud pockets; and,

fastening the end of the next vertical framing member to the horizontal framing member.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the steps of:

articulating the stud side with respect to the intermediate side; and,

rotating the stud side with respect to the intermediate side to facilitate sliding the guide.