I don’t do a lot of new construction or residential for that matter but what ever happened to carpenters using spring boards for bracing walls? I don’t even see them using blocks and string to set the walls srtaight. I took on a garage addition for a friend and the crews doing new work in the same development did not put out blocks or use the braces.
When the inspector came to my site,he asked me where the old timer was. When he saw me stepping off the rafter, he asked where my book on rafter charts was. The funny thing is I am not 40 yet. (I would like to check out a rafter book to see if it would help things. Never too old to learn something new!!)
Is this the new way to frame or are the local crews just trying to cut out the time by taking a short cut.
Replies
I have always used string and braces. It's that or?
I'm thankful for the loyal opposition! It's hard to learn much from those who simply agree with you.
Buildingbill, before I answer your question, I need to ask a few questions.
If you are framing a 16' wall, do you use straight 16' plates on top? If you do use straight 16' plates on top, why would you need a spring brace? A spring brace would pull the straight plates out of alignment, wouldn't they?
Would you really need a block and string if both top plates are straight?
And finally....do you block walls that are only 2' long? 3'? 4'? 5'? What is your decision on length for either blocking and stringing, or simply using your eyes?
After you answer, I'll tell you about the "shortcuts" that some are using.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Blue
The walls were 18' off the house and 44' down the side. I could have used the ceiling joists from the main house out to the long wall to straighten it out but I learned the old way to put the braces about every 10'. If the wall was under the length of the top plate I probably wouldn't bother but this was a very long wall.
I watched a crew put up a 5000 Square foot house out back and when they were sheathing the roof they were cutting like madmen to trim the odd pieces of plywood. It seems if the walls were correct to start with the roof may have pieced together better. When I see someone take 6" down to 0 along an 8' sheet of plywood on a $800K house it makes me wonder.
I was doing a lot of commercial repair work for a while and only took this because The owner was a friend and was getting pretty ridiculous prices cor the job. I like the commercial work better. It is just a personal preference. The older I get the more I like kepping my feet on the ground.
By the way where do you find 16' lengths of straight 2x4 for top plates these days? I would be kind of weary with some of the stuff found at HD.
Bill, we usually don't have any trouble getting plenty of 16' good linial. Most of our builder yards stock high quality lumber...or they get knocked out of the loop by the other suppliers.
It soundls like the crew building that 5000 sf house failed to properly squareup their foundation.
I don't see many incompetent crews around here...most of them have solid techniques and sometimes I forget how screwed up a house can get. When I do see one, it's usually an eyesore till the brick gets installed...ragged paper, grey wood, lose ends everywhere...
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!