How to Cut Hip Rafters 

Hi I enjoyed watching your video. I served 6 years of apprenticeship as a Joiner, and part of it was Roofing. the Joiner who was teaching me was in my second year, the whole roof was set out on the ground, after measuring from the wall plates, working from the building square, before we started off all the timber which was 3x2 75x50 as now, then each one was checked for the round (top of spar) the reason for this when the purlins were put on the spars as called was higher which made it easier to nail down, then 6inch nails, the Hips Valleys measured by using the building square, then all cut by hand, as you did with your jig we cut the pattern spar with a strap on both ends, All done by hand saw, how things have changed, now, of course, it's all pree made trusses. I was always grateful for that experience of learning to use the building square, I am now 82 years old and still remember most of it, all thanks to that Joiner. it's nice to see someone else now showing how to use the Building Square Regards welshman 2081

The first half of the ru-vid.comUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.

71 year young still going strong carpenter from Oregon. I love watching how things are done in other places. I'm always learning and wish I had You Tube when I started. Very good well made straight forward video. Getting hips to align and plane out properly have always been a problem. We don't do hip framing to much anymore . I like the half lap joint on your top plate. I also like you using a framing square with a wood piece clamp to it. I also do that method. The newer generation is speed square this and speed square that, I like the framing square. I think you get a more accurate layout versus using stair clamps. I also like you using wider hip material. I use double 2x material. Its easier cutting your bevel and more importantly it allows better backing for nailing your roof sheathing. Some company needs to invent a mechanical hardware to make better connection for the top of the hip to the ridge. What species of lumber are you framing with ? Here in western US its primarily Douglas Fir. More engineered lumber products are now being used. Simpson Strong Tie hardware is the standard for framing hardware in the US, is it used in England ?Thanks for taking the time making the video.

The more I watch Robin the more I realise that he actually LOVES what he does. Small things like getting a kick out of eyeing in his newly cut hip with the rest of the roofline. Its very satisfying to see a lovely flat roofline especially if its got a lot going on.

I barely understood a bloody word of this, absolute rocket science. But I knew if I watched till the end it would all fit perfectly. Robin is a master of his craft!

When a bloke is good at his job it always looks easy. Very nice tight job mate!. A big thumbs up.

I wish I had you tube back in my day. I was treated like shite during my apprenticeship I learnt how to roof using books I had read at college and using my common sense. When I finished my apprenticeship the first job I did was a Barn Hip! It was a chance for me to practice all the knowledge I gained. I was nervous but I completed it in half a day. This is an excellent video and explained very well. I wish I had a teacher like this when I was an apprentice. I hope this guy keeps educating people

Immense. I got my 585 in '93 at Lime Grove - awesome teachers, awesome curriculum but got de-railed by computers and never practiced my craft. Now I need to cut a roof. Watching you work is a joy and when you cut the top bevel, blind, I laughed out loud. So good. Will probably need to watch this at least another 10 times but thanks. This is the dogs bollocks.

Big up to all the apprentice carpenters like me watching this so we can be better at roofing😂✊🏽

So, I'm a mechanical designer who can go back and forth with inches and millimeters but I'm also a carpenter and I never once gave a thought to using metric for cutting wood until now. Great video and high quality craftsmanship ...... absolutely enjoyable to watch. Thank you!

This is 30yrs of invaluable knowledge paked into a 30 min video. As an ex tradesman I know how accomplished this man is.

Great video. Good to see someone using a proper roofing square and I love how you picked up the framing hammer tap tap tap, drop it and pick up the nailer boom! You are true craftsman robin. Kudos from Yorkshire

What an absolute pleasure to watch!! Lovely to see a gent with so much skill and passion for his work. A great teacher for any apprentice this guy!!!

Super video guys, wish we had all this gear when I was Young, I remember cutting a 9 x 3 purlin at 45° by hand, after scraping 1/4" of ice from it. and using an indelible pencil to mark it. (They don't know they're born these days Lol) Been retired 16 years now, but still enjoy doing a bit, although a lot lot slower, and enjoy watching true craftsmen.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Great video as usual guys. A tip for you Robin that I discovered a bit ago and I noticed you don't do it on a previous video. When finishing the birds mouth with the handsaw, do the along the grain cut first followed by the cross cut, that way the grain keeps the piece in place whilst you finish off the cut making it neater and less likely to leave the little corner in there.

Think I have enough of Robin and Roger's video's to get me over this up and coming lockdown!!!!!!!!! Thanks guys!

Cracking work as usual Robin, I’m an improver cradle tee, and since watching a lot of your roofing videos it’s brought my skills on a lot. Keep them coming

As a carpenter apprentice this kind of video is great to watch and learn from! 🔨🪚Keep up the great work on the videos 🙌 And thanks for putting out great content!

Ive got a big herringbone floor to set out and with the help of youtube ive been learning about trammel points. Despite me not being a roofer, or a carpenter, to relax, ive just watched this video. Now iv'e got a proper headache! Nice one Robin, your the man!

You cut a roof out better than some make a piece of furniture. You are so good at explaining certain things and I'm still learning every day after years on the tools.

So precise in everything he does. Not everyone is a good teacher. I could work with Robin all day long. BTW name that tune ....don't mess with my toot toot?

Fantastic again👌 I would love to spend a month working with Robin. I've been in this game for 25 years and still absolutely love it but I could be taught a thing or two with this guy👍

Top work gents. After a long week chopping wood, there's nothing like lying in the bath watching someone else do the work. Keep em coming guys.

Nice to see a craftsman building a “cut” roof, instead of installing a trussed roof, spot on

Lovely. I really appreciate how you work and your passion!! I bet you were really pleased with that section of the off cut of the hip rafters looking perfect!

Thats a brilliant method, I've been a carpenter for 16 years and never though of cutting a hip in like this.... fair play you'll never stop learning in this trade.... love it!!!

The best tradesmen are the ones who genuinely enjoy there work

Hi Robin, I believe that I made a comment some time ago (before I had had my hair cut) and wasn't getting enough air to my brain, I wish to amend my comment it was to do with obtaining jack rafter diminishes the way I was taught back in the day when I had more hair! with the framing Square take the rise per ft run on the blade and the figure 12" on the tongue set to the edge of the timber and then mark and move 4" to the left the distance between the marks was the diminish of the jacks for 16" centres. I think I said move to the right in my comment. It all sounds a bit long winded now but it was quick at the time without calculators, actually I don't even think the wheel had been invented!!! Thanks again Robin for your site makes an old timer happy.

I'll never pitch a roof in my life but I can't help but watch Robin teach. Always a pleasure to watch skilled people work! Thanks for another fantastic video.

I watch loads of Robin's videos and have been searching for a decent one on hip rafters. A lot of the videos are from tutors in a college environment and they do explain things well. Robin's delivery of knowledge and skill is exceptional though. You know you are at the top of your game when you can teach like this as if you were just making a cup of tea. You are credit to the industry but unfortunately inspire us DIY who will stuggle to convince the wife we can build her a bigger kitchen. Hat off to you sir, sincerely

I'm an amateur at carpentry, learning the basics of site and bench joinery but i have to admit this video has given me more in depth knowledge, thank you.

Excellent video reminds me of some great tips I’ve been shown over the years from various blokes that had the time to show u a few things ... you allways remember who told u what tip or what job u got an idea off Very clear video and easy to watch and understand

I much prefer the 'Measure once, cut 7 or 8 times, f@~k it up, get another bit of timber, do exactly the same again, get pissed off, throw a tantrum while my wife tuts' method, but that's my personal choice. Robin goes to show how technical a roof is, most of it went over my head (if you'll pardon the pun), great video.

Been making firewood for over forty years and it's lovely to watch someone else doing it right. Hate trusses, love cutting a roof. Thanks robin, nicely explained too!

Been out of building trade 25 years now, I'm amazed to see how the power tools have changed. Nail guns were a recent invention in early nineties, big and awkward. Battery drills were mainly made by Walt Disney for Mickey Mouse. Only the well off tradesmen could afford such luxuries. Hammer and saw for the old boys and 110V gear. Used to have to lump half ton yellow transformer across site, then your lead an them stupid plugs. I knew of some plumber who accidentally came down from his steps, stood on a 110V plug that had been dragged to the bottom of his steps while up there and broke his ankle as the plug rolled under his boot. He was PAYE but I don't suppose his employer was too happy. Very good chippy work BTW. Keep the vids coming, I've just subscribed.

I've never seen this done before but I find myself strangely fascinated by the whole process. You're a true craftsman sir.

I would love to work along side robin for a day!! Absolute master at his craft.

Great method, lovely to see pride in work, i hope you have an apprentice looking over your shoulder

Just wanna say it was an absolute pleasure watching this. Really great video

just cant get enough of you guys! superb artists.

The grand master Clevett . Excellent .

That was fantastic, absolute masterclass

I love watching this man work. Perfectionist

If I'm on my own putting up hip rafters, I nail a block onto the end of the 45 degree cut on the wall plate at the height of the up-stand then pick off the points with a straight length of timber, works great.

I love working, I could watch it all day. :)

Just perfection and a joy to listen and watch

Back in the 70’s I was working in Chertsey Surrey UK and used to spend my lunch times watching the roof restoration of a grade one listed 17th century two story house opposite. I was particularly intrigued on the method required for the cutting and fitting of the hip rafters (especially as they were all newly milled expensive English oak). After being measured and cut on the ground, I was astonished to see how well they fitted first time. (they needed to; it took three men to lift one!) Now I have some idea of how It was done, Thank you so much.

This guy working is a thing of beauty

Genius .Love to spend a year or so with this guy

Love these roof construction videos, really interesting. Well done robin and roger ! Would be good to see a video about lead roofing/lead welding. Cheers !

Great video! More of this please. Robin how to vids. Never realised he had a tattoo either.. you learn something new every day

9th degree red belt of wood working. I like the the zero % showboating. I salute you Sir.

I like to think I’m a fairly handy DIYer (I’m a qualified sparky so get to mix with most trades for tips etc) and I thought I’d have a go at doing the roof myself on a two story extension some years ago. After three sleepless nights trying to study a booklet entitled “Roofing Ready Reckoner” I gave up and called a roofer mate in to do it. Even helping him I couldn’t follow it. Wish you’d been around on you tube back then. Very under appreciated trade in my opinion. Ps. Absolutely loving this series and your presentation style. It’s like listening to a mate on site.

A fella who knows what he's talking about, I could watch craftsmen like Robin all day.

Robin just came from a wee swim ar 22:00! I do really appreciate somebody else who also uses the original " cordless" saw(handsaw)!

Awesome video, good seeing a craftsman at work,,,,,,i say this with experience as have worked in building game for 3 yrs

Wish I was 18 and working for you instead of 73 and listening, great info' - thanks

Useful info, tks... I was going to build a garden shed with a pent roof.I might try a pitched roof now ... maybe... once it's safe to be outside.. .

You're the type of carpenter I always wanted to be....Bravo!

Good bit of engineering there sir. I spent some 30 years detailing structural steelwork and was the only draughtsman who could fully understand hips and valleys and how to detail these.

First one of these I've seen. I used to teach remedial joinery to beginners. Bloody hell Robin you're on top of your game. Easy to follow, couple of points where if I was showing a class I would give a little more detail or try to use no jargon but probably many watching this are in the trade anyway. Great conversational style with your mate chipping in, just as someone said, "like making a cup of tea". I love the attention to detail; where the nails go through, propping out the bow on the hip, thinking of the bigger pic' not just the present cut you're doing. This level of ability comes with at least 40,000 hours of practice! A pleasure to watch.

Brilliant! Like anyone who's mastered their skill, they make the complex look easy and make it appear easy enough that anyone could do this...although true, you do not achieve this knowledge and competency without years of commitment. Thank you Robin for sharing your skill!

I love what you did... thanks for posting... I learned a lot!!!

I remember when Robin you showing the rafter set up for this roof one side had another 100mm run on the rafter up to the steel so I notice on this Video you have over come the difference to get your hip to run at 45 with that detail at the top well done my man getting out of what could be awkward situations is the sign of a true professional great

We need more Capel.. Thats a facinating build.

All bases covered , end result spot on I miss the roofing 😁

Robin, this reminded my of my greatly missed Dad, setting out a roof by hand many years ago because the guys on site had messed up on the pre built trusses. The job needed to be made watertight so he got on with it. They all stood around mocking initially, then the realisation that there was a Master at work struck and they started to pay attention. Apparently that roof went on quicker than the trusses should have! I've just dug out a booklet of his called 'The Steel Square' by Harold Ryder, Caxton Press and now reading in conjunction with your tutorials. Thanks for your youtube series, for someone getting back into Carpentry they are really great, although i did have a Master tutor in the first place to set me right. Thanks again. Best regards James

What a breath of fresh air got the Knowledge get's on and do's it NO messing around ALL Chippy's should be so professional i have seen a few rushing around tape out marking this and marking that measuring once and having to go get another bit of wood as cut it too short were as Rob measure's twice and cut's once such an Obvious term across all trade's so Cheer's Rob and Thank You for NOT Letting the trade down and showing how it should be done.!!

Love it from New Hampshire USA Although we use inches & feet so keeping up with the math is a bit dodgie... 3rd generation builder 1st yr on my own after my father who's a master carpenter was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer losing his voice completely. Always looking to learn any new tricks or how others do the same thing with the same common end goal. Thank you 100 mate.

As an old Spread with 40 plus years under my belt, I have to say I was riveted watching Robins master class.Aways a joy to watch another trade and how they go about their business.Any apprentice would be fortunate indeed to be coached by such a craftsman.

First video of yours I watched. Grabbing scrap to practice with. Thanks 🙏 you’re a God send.

Very nice to see, this man understands his job. Kind regards from Holland.

I have absolutely no idea what hes on about but damn, you are a knowledgeable bloke

Always love looking and learning and you are brilliant at explaining the process. When watching my mate do the roof he would sometimes clamp his Square set back and run the saw along it. Ensured he always cut a perfect straight line. Watching and learning from different people you really do learn a lot

What a treat to watch. Thank you very much.

I think this lad could teach anything, absolutely superb mate thank you for sharing your knowledge.

an authentic craftsman

Awesome skill, with simple tools! In America, we’d just keep cutting until the scrap falls out! I need a good hand saw to knock it out and finish the cut!

Memorising to watch beautiful job with so many cowboys out there it's nice to watch a true tradesman. Thumbs up.

Great video! Just one thing I'd say, (around 15mins) when you're cutting the angles, I like to put another bit of timber supporting bottom plate of the saw on the off cut side so it's a lot easier to balance and guide 👍🏾

My head is hurting! Wish I could understand everything you were saying! It's a joy watching a professional who knows his subject so well!

Such a delight to watch a true craftsman at work. So enlightening. Thank you!

These type of videos youse do is great and good advice for the audience watching

I new I should have been a joiner I just love watching your work Rob and it makes me want to go out there and cut some wood, but you don't need anyone to say how good you are it doesn't matter because you love what you do and you'd do it even if you didn't get paid for it, but it helps, spot on mate.

I'm a 2nd fix guy and trying to become the full rounded carpenter .at the moment this stuff blows my mind but doing this day in day out is how he makes it look so easy

SOME GUY THEE ROBIN take care , stay well, cheers Mick,

I’m a joiner but not done roofs for years ,nice to see the way you do it

So complicated. Its amazing. Skill

Fantastic, I’ve always wanted to see how this is done. Beyond my skills but great to see.

This guy is extremely informative and entertaining.

175x50 is the only way to go for me, very informative as always robin thank you for posting

Perfect fitting, excellent work . Watching from the USA. The building construction is apparently quite different, but a well cut roof is the same where ever you go. You are a true craftsman.

Knock me down with a feather Did I hear Roger mention HAP Top of the class pal he’s bang on it’s not what you cut out but what you leave on to account for slight variations in rafter size ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nice tutorial on cutting hips Robin. Great meeting you in Germany in January, cracking company 👍

Nice pride in your work. If we could only find people like this in the USA I would hire them.

As always you leave me impressed and bewildered in equal measure. Great video

Mans a "GENIUS"

Could you do a tutorial on the roof square you use please. Just bought one off ebay and the numbers on it mean nothing. Thanks

My father me and my bro pitched our roof out of Oregon 35years ago my old man on the ground with his old alloy black and decker 9” with me and my brother on the roof yelling out measurements in metric my dad was converting it into imperial in his head. He knocked up his rafter and hip birds mouth temps and with his temps and bevel as we went around getting sizes to him he would throw numbered rafters and not a word of a lie I think we passed back about three sticks. By the time we were done you wouldn’t have been able to slide a business card in any 4 corners of any joint. He was an incredible builder but had a massive stroke 30 years ago now can’t talk he’s 84 but with all his ailments still manages to smile and be positive all day. Ive since blown my back out and can’t do much except look after dad but how I miss them days of being awe struck buy his knowledge and teachings cheers John from Australia 🇦🇺🍺👍

Robin you did a great job and a great explain 👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍