Tips on marking out / scribing structural timbers - like rafters etc

[RobinBHM]

I am involved in stripping down and rebuilding some dormers in a listed building (C1720s).

The roof structure is oak rafters coming down to a wall plate, but it’s seriously donkeys Hind leg territory.

So I’m replacing some of the stub rafters going from trimmer to wall plate / window frame.

my problem is both ends need angles cut some with birds mouth


If anybody has tips on how to mark them, that’ll be appreciated.

I know its possible to clamp rafter above and parallel, then transfer lines across, but that’s not so easy on these cuts.

 

[johnnyb]

I would make the birds mouth cuts on short scrap at both ends. Then measure from a prominent feature at the top to one at the bottom. The scrap let's you have a few goes and make sure its aligned properly.

 

[johnnyb]

Sorry the post was june!