My carpentry experience has been obtained by working in the highly competitive west and southwest side Chicago land housing market for the past 29 years. This experience includes working as an apprentice, journeyman, lead man, roof cutter, and foreman. During these years the advancements in house framing technique and tools has been astounding.

When I first started hardly anyone used an air nailer, the framing square step off method was the normal way of laying out common rafters. There are still roof cutters out there that refuse to use any other method.

Squareness and proper dimensions will make the rest of the framing job go more efficient for you and everyone down the line, finish carpenter, flooring installer, and even the roofer's job will go better. I can't elaborate enough the importance of getting the building square!

Little carpentry tricks like this is what will make or break the bottom line!

Whenever possible sheath exterior walls before standing. I always get a good laugh whenever I see carpenters slogging around in the mud trying to apply exterior sheathing. We won't even talk about the second floor!

Framing of the ceiling joists and roof rafters go hand in hand. You must know where the rafters are to be located before placing ceiling joists.

The use of a Construction Master 5 Calculator increases speed and accuracy in all phases of rough framing carpentry.

Keep an open mind, every once in a while the apprentice will come up with a good idea.

You can't just jump out of the truck and start bending nails. My theory is to build from the roof down. Look at the roof plan and take note of any concentrated loads, varied wall heights, vaulted or cathedral ceilings, etc. A good rough framing carpenter knows these things before floor or wall framing begins.

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