How do you use a framing square? - Answers

A framing square is used to cut stairs, rafters, or anything else requiring repeated cuts that are square or of a given angle. How do you use it? Depends on what you are doing. Cutting stairs? You figure out the height and distance out you want the stairs to go and dedide on how high you want the steps. Steps can be anything , but usually between 5 to 8 inches high and 8 to `12 inches wide. Most common is 8x10 8 high and 10 wide. Take the square on the edge of a 2x12. put the 8 inch mark on the left hand side and the 10 inch on the right side. Using the top edge of the square. Mark this L on the board and then move down the board putting the 8 inch where the 10 inch was. Mark the top edge again, repeat until you have made a long enough stair. The measurements can be anything so that you end up with even steps.. It can be 6 and 3/8 inches by 11 and a half inches if that makes for even steps. Laying it out it should look like a series of L's running the length of the 2x12. Cut out the 3 cornered pieces and you have a stair riser.