Measuring, Marking, Squaring & Plumbing

Marking for a crosscut is a three-step operation. First, square the end of the board you’ll be cutting. Then hook the tape measure on the end of the board and extend the tape until you reach the length for the crosscut. Make a V mark with a sharp pencil.

Mark the waste side of the board with a large X. Hold the point of the pencil on the point of the V, and slide a layout square along the edge of the board until it touches the pencil tip without moving it. Draw a straight cutting line along the edge of the square.

Hold the square inside or outside the joint and look along the lengths of both the tongue (short side) and the blade (long side). If you see light anywhere along either edge of the square, pull or push one or both of the boards until the square fits snugly.

Use a 4-foot carpenter’s level to level framing whenever you have room for its length. Shorter levels may be thrown off by warps or waves in the boards. Boards are level when the bubble is centered in the vial.

Make a mark at the water level line in the tubing. Double-check that the water level line at the other end of the tubing is still aligned with the leveling point. Slowly raise or lower the free end to adjust water level lines, if necessary.

Begin by marking the width of the cut on both ends of the board. Then hook a chalk line tightly on the marks and snap the line. (Note the thumb on one end of the board; its distance from the top edge of the board [the one facing away from the worker] denotes the desired width of the cut.)

If the cut runs parallel to the edge of the board, draw the cut line by holding a pencil against a square at the proper width. Pull the square and pencil down the length of the board.

Miter cuts are angled cuts and are most often made at 45 degrees. Start by measuring the longer side of the miter and setting your combination square or layout square on that mark. Then draw the cut line.

Use a bevel gauge to mark odd angles (that is, not 45 or 90 degrees, or other than a right angle or equilateral diagonal). Set the handle on the outside edge of the board and lock the blade. Then move the gauge to the place you want to cut, and mark the line.

Make quick work out of establishing horizontal level lines with a laser level. Set the unit on a tripod and position it to throw the laser beam at the level point. Mark the position of the line with a carpenter’s pencil.