Measuring and Marking Tools

It may sound deceiving, but this tip will leave your compass out of the equation completely by Justin Fink

by Mark Wilson

Laying out a common rafter by Jim Anderson

Octagonal porch posts by Rob Turnquist

Whether framing an octagonal window or laying out a bay, here are two fast ways to get the angles right by John Carroll

A simple full-scale pattern takes the confusion out of figuring consistent and safe stair-tread heights by Lon Schleining

by Will Ruttencutter

Measuring along the bottom of the rafters and using a site-built jig simplify the process by John Carroll

With a housed stringer on one side and an open, mitered stringer on the other, these stairs look harder to build than they are by Andy Engel

If you understand the twelfth scale, your square becomes a durable calculator that never needs batteries by Greg Ziomek

by Walt Zaenker

by Tim Brigham

A straight run of basement steps provides a useful lesson in calculating rise and run, and in cutting stringers by Eric Pfaff

If you assume the foundation is accurate, you may end up custom cutting each rafter and fussing with every miter in your trim by Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin