Just was wondering when you are framing walls, on the floor to tip up as in platform framing, do you walk forward or backwards. I go forward and use a nail gun. If I were hand nailing I’d work towards my left hand that is holding the nails.
And the big question, do you think it matters which direction you go as far as production and ease of the process?
Jim
Replies
Interesting...
I do both, usually forward on the top plates, then cross over and backwards on the bottoms or vise versa, so the air hose always ends up in back of me. Basically in a U
Don't think I move much faster either way
I like to stay away from the reverse mode. Mostly because I'm a klutz and afraid of walking into a hole or off the floor. Also it keeps me from tripping over stuff that's not nailed to the plates yet.
I guess I'm used to walking and driving forward so that's how I try to frame.
I definitely feel more productive going forward. Though I'm not saying backwards is wrong, just not for me.
Jim
Funny jim, the first thing I was taught when framing was never back up. Saw a guy back up into the stair well that summer, reinforced my memory. Certainly did his.__________________________________________
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thought I would relpy to you because you said it was interresting. I think about that stuff all the time. This is my breifing on the subject ;
Be comfortable doing it all the ways you tell your self to do it and dont lose practice. For what it is worth , I finish rock with either hand as with a paint brush or or a gun of any building description . I wish I was accomplished at nailing with either hand. For some reason I cant walk sidways on stilts with a bazooka , but I do with float boxes and a nail spotter. weird stuff. I can walk either direction on stilts and finish in any direction with knifes ,or trowels . Thats all four directions on stilts. I depend on my feet to tell me whats behind me like my eyes on a table saw blade . I walk scaffolds looking up feeling the way with my feet. Its confusing to be able to do one and be uncomfortable to really do the same thing in another application . I think its a game of the mind .
Tim Mooney
Another interesting point, the ability to use both hands, I know the word but can't spell it lol
I can run a saw, drill, knife, gun, cope, file etc. with my left hand, Mostly simple stuff minus the coping.
can't use it for nailing very well but working on that, no way I can paint left handed with a brush, but can control a roller.
Your probably right all in the mind. View ImageGo Jayhawks..............Next Year and daaa. Blues View Image
Using both hands.Trained myself to use both for most everything,even hand driving nails.Found out my left elbow is fairly weak and tends to give me trouble particularly when used heavily driving screws.Ambidextrous is good but be careful.
CLARK DOOR & WINDOW
Thanks for your opinions.
Was backing up to nail a double stud and put a nail right through my hose. The piece of hose is still on the stud. I wrote my name by it to ensure I would get credit and remember no matter which way you go you still need to aim the nails right.
Jim
I'm framing crew lead at a new company, i.ve been framing for 11 years. new companies come with new help, these guys never go the same way twice.from what I've seen my guys stand on the stud side of the plate,nail gun hose end up and angled so thier sure to get at least one nail into the floor, making it almost imposible to lift the wall.
I like to squat,nail gun parallel to the floor and work from left to right ( side step ).It helps to be real flexable.
I do the same thing as dog...usually--I crouch down and sidestep. When nailing double plates I usually go backwards though, so I can go three or four studs down and straighten the plate and then go back and fill in over the other studs. My boss used to get onto me for going backwards, but now I suppose I'm fast enough he doesn't care.
I'm one of the guys who worked backwards. I'm also one of the guys who fell down an unfinished stairway hole. Next thing I know I'm laying on the concrete basement floor looking up at my co-workers. Hurt like nothing else. Huge headache. Worked the rest of the day, but couldn't get out of bed the next morning.
I don't work backwards anymore.