In the upcoming September issue of JLC, Tim Uhler will explain the way he frames and sheathes rake walls, and even sides gable ends, before standing them. For a preview, watch this time-lapse video:
This is a topic he tackled for JLC back in 2006 (see "Framing Rake Walls," 9/06). But ever learning, he and his crew have improved their methods. The differences he listed:
- We stopped using rafters to do the layout on the wall, instead we use the math [to be explained in detail in September] and layout along double top plates. This keeps the wall much stiffer when we lift it.
- We don't snap the studs, we find one stud and layout along the rake, calculating the spacing.
- We measure in each stud and cut at a cut station so the cut man can keep better track of scrap.
- We frame the overhangs on the wall before lifting and install our soffit, which keeps the wall very straight. We also put a flat piece of metal on the overhang before installing the barge to keep the plumb cuts on the barge from opening.
- We now do much more than just simple gables: We'll frame a double gable, gable with an opening in it, gables with two different slopes, etc.
You can see more of what he means in his Google+ album documenting a recent project, which has about a dozen different gables. The entire album of photos and videos is a wonderful case study in the foundation and framing techniques that Tim has shared with JLC readers over the years.
