SOLAS Carpentry flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Nominal 2x4 actual size

A nominal 2x4 measures 1-1/2 in by 3-1/2 in after surfacing. Use actual dimensions for layout arithmetic; span tables and ordering use nominal size.

Board-foot formula

Board feet equals thickness in inches times width in inches times length in feet, divided by 12. A 2x8x12 computes to 16 board feet.

Nail length rule of thumb

Choose a nail about three times the thickness of the material being fastened. A 16d common nail, 3-1/2 in long, suits 2x framing and thicker connections.

3-4-5 squaring method

Mark 3 ft along one leg and 4 ft along the perpendicular leg; adjust the corner until the diagonal measures 5 ft. Scale to 6-8-10 or 9-12-15 for larger areas.

Stair riser count formula

Divide total rise by the target riser height and round up to get the number of risers. Divide total rise by that count for the exact unit rise.

Joist hanger fastener fill

Every hole specified by the manufacturer must receive the specified fastener type and diameter. Leaving holes empty reduces the rated capacity of the connection.

Screw versus nail shear

Nails generally carry shear better than screws of similar size, while screws resist withdrawal better. Use nails or lag screws for structural shear; screws for trim and decking.

Plywood thickness substitution

Sanded plywood loses about 1/32 in per sanding pass, so 23/32 in sheathing substitutes for 3/4 in and 15/32 in substitutes for 1/2 in.

Wall stud layout spacing

Frame studs at 16 in or 24 in on center measured from a common reference edge. Add king and trimmer studs at every opening and extra studs at corners.

Header span dependence

Header capacity depends on span, load, and species/grade. Doubling a header does not double capacity unless the plies are fastened together as the schedule requires.

Sheathing strength axis

Orient panels with the long dimension perpendicular to supports on floors and roofs. Block unsupported panel edges unless the panel rating permits otherwise.

Common rafter length formula

Common rafter length equals run divided by the cosine of the pitch angle. Alternatively, use the framing square with unit rise per 12 in of run.

Notch and bore limits

Limit notches in the tension edge to one-quarter of member depth. Keep holes to one-third of member depth and away from the tension edge per code.

Collar tie versus rafter tie

Collar ties sit in the upper third of the attic and resist uplift. Rafter ties sit in the lower third and resist outward thrust at the wall plates.

Fire blocking locations

Fire blocking is required in concealed spaces at floor and ceiling levels, at soffits, and at the top and bottom of stairwells to limit vertical flame spread.

Solid blocking purpose

Blocking between joists reduces deflection and transfers lateral load. Solid blocking is required at bearing points and beneath concentrated loads.

Door handing definition

A right-hand door hinges on the right when viewed from the pull side. Specify handing, swing, and bore locations before ordering prehung units.

Prehung door rough opening

Frame the rough opening about 2 in wider and 2-1/2 in taller than the unit, then verify against the manufacturer's specification because jamb thicknesses vary.

Window flashing sequence

Install the weather-resistive barrier, then the sill pan, then the window. Lap flashing shingle-style so water drains outward over each lower layer.

Cope inside crown corners

Cope inside corners on crown molding by cutting the profile to fit the adjoining piece. Coping accommodates seasonal movement better than a miter in inside corners.

Casing reveal consistency

Keep a consistent reveal, typically 1/4 in to 3/8 in, between the door or window frame and the casing. Measure the reveal at several points before cutting.

Guard opening limit

A 4 in sphere must not pass through any opening in a guard. Handrail height is typically 34 in to 38 in above the stair nosing.

Finish nail sizing

Use 4d or 6d finish nails for casing and baseboard and 8d for thicker built-up trim. Pre-drill near ends to prevent splitting and set nails before filling.

Circular saw blade direction

Teeth point forward and up at the front of the blade. The off-cut side of the line is the waste side; the keeper piece stays on the supported side.

Table saw kickback control

Use the riving knife and blade guard, stand out of the kickback path, and use push sticks for stock narrower than 6 in. Never reach over the blade.

Ladder setup angle

Set the ladder base out 1 ft for every 4 ft of working height, about 75 degrees. Extend the ladder 3 ft above the landing when accessing a roof.

Fall protection trigger height

In general construction, fall protection is required at 6 ft or more above a lower level. Guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems are acceptable.

Wood dust respiratory rating

Use dust collection or a respirator rated for wood dust, N95 minimum. Power tools commonly exceed 85 dBA at the operator position, so hearing protection is also needed.

Stud count estimate

Divide wall length in feet by spacing in feet, add one for the end, add two studs per opening, and add extras at corners and intersections.

Concrete volume to cubic yards

Multiply length by width by depth in feet to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add 5 to 10 percent for over-excavation and spillage.

Egress window minimums

The clear opening must be at least 5.7 sq ft, at least 20 in wide and 24 in high, with the sill no more than 44 in above the floor. Check local amendments.