Carpentry Field Notes
Learn From the Job Site
Deep-content guides on rafter cuts, roof pitch, birdsmouth cuts, framing squares, and everything between the wall plate and the ridge. Written by carpenters.
What Is a Rafter Square? The Complete Guide
What Is a Rafter Square? · A Brief History of the Rafter Square · Parts of a Rafter Square
Read articleRafter Square Markings Explained: Every Scale on Your Square
The Degree Scale · How to Use It · Common Angles and What They're For
Read articleRafter Square vs Speed Square: What's the Difference? (2026)
The Short Answer · Why Both Names Exist · The Swanson Speed Square (1925)
Read articleBest Rafter Square for Every Job (2026 Builder's Guide)
Quick Picks · Detailed Reviews · Rapid Rafter Pro — Best Overall
Read articleHow to Find Roof Pitch with a Rafter Square (2 Methods)
Method 1: From the Ground (Quick Estimate) · Using a Smartphone App · Visual Estimation
Read articleRoof Pitch Explained: The Complete Reference Guide
What Is Roof Pitch? · Complete Pitch-to-Degree Conversion Table · Building Code Minimum Pitch Requirements
Read articleBirdsmouth Cuts: Complete Reference for Rafter Seat Cuts
What Is a Birdsmouth? · Birdsmouth Anatomy and Terminology · Maximum Birdsmouth Depth by Rafter Size
Read articleShed Roof Framing: Complete Reference Guide
Rafter Span Tables for Sheds · Rafter Sizing Quick Reference · Calculating Rafter Length
Read article10 Roof Framing Mistakes Every DIYer Makes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Cutting Rafters One at a Time · Mistake #2: Forgetting Ridge Board Thickness · Mistake #3: Birdsmouth Cut Too Deep
Read articleStair Stringer Layout: Complete Code Reference
IRC Stair Code Requirements · Rise and Run Quick Reference · Calculating Number of Risers
Read articleFraming Square Rafter Tables: Complete Reference
Complete Rafter Table Reference · Line 1: Common Rafter Length · Line 2: Hip/Valley Length
Read articleDeck Joist Layout: Complete Span Tables & Code Reference
Joist Span Tables (Per IRC) · Joist Sizing Quick Reference · Spacing by Decking Type
Read articleRapid Rafter Wins Popular Mechanics Gear of The Year 2025
What Is Popular Mechanics Gear of The Year? · 40 Years in the Making: Peter Toomey's Story · A Family Business Takes Shape
Read articleThe Rapid Rafter Pro: Why We Built an Aluminum Rapid Rafter
What Pros Told Us · What We Changed · What We Didn't Change
Read articleThe Problem with One-Sided Marks (And Why I Finally Solved It)
The Flip Problem · When Marks Don't Match · Why I Invented It
Read articleHow to Work with Warped, Bowed, and Damaged Lumber
Why Lumber Quality Has Declined · Know Your Defects · Bow
Read articleMeet The Disruptors: Peter Toomey Featured in Authority Magazine
About Peter Toomey · The Origin Story · Why It's Disruptive
Read articleRafter Cutting: What 40 Years Taught Me About Getting It Right
Rafter Anatomy · Setting Up · The Pattern Rafter
Read articleHow to Use a Rafter Square: The Only Guide You Need
Mark a Square Cut Line · Mark Angles (Miter Cuts) · Find and Mark Roof Pitch
Read articleHow to Mark a Birdsmouth Cut That Actually Fits the First Time
Why the Birdsmouth Matters · What You Need · Step 1: Locate the Bearing Point
Read articleThe Framing Toolkit: What You Actually Need (And What You Don't)
The Non-Negotiables · The Second Tier · Power Tools Worth Owning
Read articleRapid Rafter at the Do it Best & True Value Spring Market 2026 — Denver, CO
What Is the Do it Best & True Value Spring Market? · Do it Best Spring Market 2026 Schedule & Highlights · Wednesday, March 5 — Pre-Market Training
Read articleWhat Size Rafter Square Do I Need?
Standard Rafter Square Sizes · 7-Inch Squares · 12-Inch Squares
Read articleHow to Read a Rafter Square: Every Mark Explained
The Basic Layout · The Degree Scale · The Common Rafter Scale
Read articleRafter Square for Beginners: Your First Project Guide
What You're Holding · Your First Five Cuts · Cut 1: The Square Cut (90 Degrees)
Read articleFaster Layout, Half the Mistakes
The Rapid Rafter does in one motion what a speed square needs two passes for.
Get the Rapid Rafter — $27.99