Hi all. I am running a growing general contracting company. I have been learning as i go in the area of roof framing and I am getting it done. What I really need to take my business to the next level instead of being at the mercy of busy framers who can’t get to my work, and forcing me to pass on large jobs is to become more proficient at roof framing in particular so that i can hire some framers and run the crew. Right now I am not even skilled enough to frame a large gable laying down and then stand it. I have to frame the walls laying down, then stand them, then post and hang the ridge and then stick frame the gables. It is so time consuming and inefficient. I have read everything there is to read and it is just not a substitute for hands on training. i am very frustrated and I forsee hundreds of thousands of dollars passing by my eyes if i am not able to acquire these framing skills. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Where do you live Beast?
South of Boston,Ma.
You're in luck.... I'm out of Metrowest. Email me through this site.... I'd be happy to get together with you sometime and help out if I can or let you pick my brain. I'm not as good as that cowboy Tim you've been chatting with, but I can hold my own. I'm starting a 4800 sq ft frame in Wellesley on Wednesday. You're welcome to hang around when we get to the roof.
Roof cutting is the ballz. It's my favorite part of the frame because it seems like there is always more and more to learn. I think I learn something new on every roof I frame. As I type this, "Roof Framer's Bible" and "A Roof Cutter's Secrets" sit about 6 inches away. Like Tim said, I'm going through them again in preparation for this roof coming up. It's got some funk to it.
I'm starting a job in wellesley 4/1 ........................strange. like to pick your brain sometime. My email address is [email protected]. Email me your info if you have a minute . thanks
Beast,Get the two books Dieslpig mentioned and don'r be afraid to ask questions, especially about Roof Framing. Are you using a Framing Square or Calculator to lay out your rafters?Joe Carola
Edited 3/8/2005 4:22 pm ET by Framer
Another thought.....
You mentioned hiring some framers to keep the framing "in house". Be open-minded to hiring someone who is more experienced than you are. It's a brilliant business move that I doubt you'd regret. Hire yourself an experienced framer and let him make the coin for you..... then you can focus on what you know best.... your business.
Beast,
Great name. You are probably like 5' tall right? :-) Just kidding.
I can make a few suggestions.
Buy Will Holladay's book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1928580149/qid=1110243883/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-9205160-7206231?v=glance&s=books and study it. I mean study. I think I've read that book 10 times cover to cover and read the sections on what I'm going to frame almost every time I frame a roof. I have a couple copies, 1 of which stays in the bathroom :-)
There are a number of roof framing threads here at breaktime, the forums at JLC http://www.jlconline.com , and Joe Fusco's forum http://www.josephfusco.org/phpbb/index.php
Ask a ton of questions on roof framing. There are no dumb questions. I would also sign up at JLC and get the CD and access to the articles. There are some great roof framing articles at JLC.
Start with the basics and make sure you understand them.
Now I'll give you my opinion. In my opinion, if you can learn to cut a roof proficiently, you can make good money any where in the country. When you can calculate a roof on the ground, you will have put yourself at the top as a framer and as a general.
On most small houses, we can frame a roof as quickly or within a few hours of crews doing similar houses. We then have the flexibility to put in decorative ceilings or just taller ceilings. That will distinguish your homes from the competition.
The house we are just finishing framing is a really simple little house and there isn't much to it. We stick frame the roof and then we can do ceilings like this one http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL293/2163851/5088968/64828189.jpg That ceiling is in the very same plan we are finishing. The guy we are framing this house for is a furniture maker and today he came through and was telling us that our 45° are tighter than his. He was kidding, but he's bring us pizza on Friday and has been bringing his friends through and telling people What a great framing job he is getting.
He is saying that because the roof on this house and next door are hand cut and he told us that it takes a certain talent to be able to do that. I told him it is just a matter of education. Anyone can do it.
If you look through the archives at the sites I mentioned above, you'll see that I've bugged the roof cutters for a lot of help. If I can learn to frame a roof, then you can for sure.
Thanks for the reply. I apprecaite the info. If i had to do it all over again I would forgo the business degree and go to a trade school to learn from the basics. I could actually just use a good lesson around a framing square and then a lesson in applying some of that information to a real life set of plans on the job site.
Don't let tim bust your chops about size. He's only 4'8", LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
4'8 1/2" hehehe
Must've had the sun in my eyes
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
How'd I know you'd show up in a thread with this title?
"You're probably like 5' tall, right?" You're a trip. That was pretty good.
My Headcutter showed up a few days ago.... haven't even had time to take it out of the box. I'm freakin' buried with work right now... the snow is killing us up here. I got your pics you emailed me.... framing in T-shirts already?!?! Green with envy bro.
Startin' a sweet roof soon... I'll post pics. Gonna need help with the 1/2 Octagon.
This shoulda been an email, huh?
My bad.
Can't wait to see the pics. Don't cut your leg off with that chainsaw :-)
will's book is excellent, but can you honestly say you understood it all. your the man if you did
Wallwalker,
Man that is a great name!
I keep thinking I understand it, but then I realize I don't. Then I figure it out and realize that there is a ton more I don't know.
I understand most of the principles and techniques, but when I get the job and am actually holding the raftersquare and the materials. . . . it makes a lot less sense than it did at home :-)
I don't pretend to be an expert because I'm not, but I sure do have fun :-)
One other thing Beast, Go buy the Calculated Industries CM Pro w/trig calculator if you don’t already have one. It’s the best tool on the market to do onsite roof calculations. I recommend the Swanson’s “Blue Book” for a quick rundown on simple hip roof construction too.
Maybe dieselpig will hire you and you can learn how to production frame roofs on his job and tell your guys the next morning how to do it before you leave your job and head over to diesel’s job to learn more cool tricks. I only say that in jest because I actually had a guy working for me doing that some years back.
Hire a tutor.
blue
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Where do I find a framing tutor ?
I will hire him in a heartbeat.
If you want to know how to booger a roof, I'll be there on Monday.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
LOL, That brings up the Q, whether he wants to frame ti, truss it, or booger it!;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
link to roof framing videos
Tell us about the next house you want to put a cut-and-stack roof on, there's probably enough expertise here at BreakTime to walk you through it, but we'd need some specifics.
Thanks Huck I will take you up on that