I try to avoid shingling, but I do an odd small roof now and again. I always hate having to trim shingles that hang over the rake end of a gable roof. Especially the laminated, architectural type because of the thickness of the material. IMHO, a straight cut line with clean cuts on each shingle is something that very few notice, BUT a wavering line with ragged cuts catches everyone’s attention. And executing the cut with a utility knife is something I dread. Tried snips before, too, but only a step above a utility knife.
Well, faced with the task today, I had a brainstorm. I measured and snapped a nice straight line and—–grabbed my 4.5″ angle grinder with a 1/16″ abrasive wheel.
Quick job, super straight line. Desperation is the breeding ground of ingenuity.
You pro roofers may be rolling with laughter, but try it. I bet you’ll like it.
DIA
Replies
I find the best way of achieving a nice rake overhang is running a soldier course on the gables first. Helps with problems of wind uplift too.
hook blade on a sunny day. it like slicing pizza
I cut the shingles so the factory edge is on the rake side
That is what I like to do as well. I also made a little reversible jig with the blade of a framing square to guid the hook blade and another blade dadoed into the base of the jig. Marked my 10, 20 and 30 inches for the starter so I don't have to pull out a tape every two minutes.
Have a good day
Cliffy
I haven't found anything faster and nicer than putting the factory edge out towards the rake and put a nail out that way to hold it and use snips to cut to the right length, the cut made on the inside edge. If you let the edge of the snips ride on the edge of the shingle below it it'll come out perfect, or just using your eye to make a square cut.
Snips work good for cutting around roof boots too and the cuts look so much more professional than the jagged way off cuts with hook blades or whatever.