Rafter tails

[Jackhammer]

How is the best way to mark and cut the rafter tails for the fascia?

[Rich]

First you'll want to get a line snapped along all the rafter tails - so that your subfascia/fascia is straight as possible. Then you can hang off the top plates or do it from a scaffold or ladder. The biggest thing here is - safety and what your comfortable doing.

[VALENT]

After you get a chalk line snapped, just use a level to make a plumb line on each tail and cut there. Or make a jig and use it to cut against.

[Jackhammer]

First you'll want to get a line snapped along all the rafter tails - so that your subfascia/fascia is straight as possible. Then you can hang off the top plates or do it from a scaffold or ladder. The biggest thing here is - safety and what your comfortable doing.

Rich, help me out here because I've never done this before. How do I go about snapping a line to ensure the tails are straight? :?

[Rich]

Typically I'll measure the same distance off the wall to the rafter ends - whatever distance you want. Do this on first and last rafter. Loop over a nail placed on one of the marks and pull it as tight as you can get it.. if it's too long of a distance you might need a second person to hold the middle and snap each half for you.

[Cole]

I do it the exact same way.

[Jackhammer]

You guys are awesome. I'll have to provide you with a picture of our storage building when it is completed.

I'm going to name it the Rich, Cole, Joe, and everyone else who provided information building. I'll just hang a sign over the door. :lol:

Seriously, I couldn't have done it without your help and it is greatly appreciated.

I have learned alot during this endeavor and have come to realize that carpenters don't get the praise and reward they deserve.

[Cole]

Thanks Buddy, if you have any more questions, dont hesitate to ask them.

[Don_P]

I don't know if this pic will help or not, it's a roof we've been working on. The subfascia is installed on the tails on the left of the pic. I don't have it on the gable porch rake on this side yet. You can see part of the scaffold that I used to snap/cut/install from. The tails across the porch await snapping and cutting. The "sub" is flush with the bottoms of the tails so that the soffit rests on it and the blocking that levels from the tail back to the wall (or beam)...the subfascia does not hang down below the tails. The fascia then hangs down below the sub, in our case 1-1/4" (we are using 3/4 t&g soffits and want 1/2" reveal) We'll install strip vents in the soffits.

http://www.ls.net/~windyhill/Ovens_files/hdwy.jpg

[giddonah]

You're using a harness on that scaffold, right? :wink:

[Cole]

Good pic to show, Don.

It should help him out.

See on scaffolds like that, I like to be spiderman and try to swing my way around. :wink:

[Don_P]

We were jazzed :D , the porches made for easy scaffold set up. I had my skyhook tethered to a cloud. We do work safe though, if it doesn't feel good we work on it till it does. We got it blacked in and half the fascia hung today, roofers start in the next day or 2. Getting a lid on the box always feels good.

[Jackhammer]

Don_P, thanks for the picture. You know what they say, A picture is worth a thousand words..........

[Don_P]

I learn best with my eyes and hands, got a black thumbnail to prove it :) . I took the camera out there again today and got a shot from the underside of the fascia, subfascia, the soffit ledger and blocking.