[pmwutwear]

Hello,

How do I measure and cut rafters for a 5'x5' dog house with a 5/12 pitch roof with a 6" overhang.

This is my first project.

Thanks for the help.

Connie

[skiberger]

Your overall length of the rafters will be 3'-2 1/2" long. That is w/ the 6" overhang.

To get a 5 pitch which is also 22 1/2 degrees. If you have a speed square just pivot the square to 5 pitch on the common rafter scale.
If you have a framing square, with the fat part of the square (the "blade" this is the 24" long side) line up the square on the top of the rafter w/ the number 12. This is your pivot point. While holding the square on 12, pivot the skinny part of the square (the "tongue" this is the 16" lomg side) to the number 5. So with you holding the blade on the top edge of the rafter @ 12" and the tongue @ 5" this is your pitch. Mark the tongue side of the square.
Cut this line. Hold your tape and measure 3' 2 1/2" and repeat the process some the 2 cuts are parallel.
I'd use rafter straps instead of worrying about cutting a birds mouth in the rafter to attach the rafters.

[bhayne]

There is software on the internet that does this for you and let's you decide the truss style for most efficient use of wood (based on roof load). Of coarse, your roof load would be negilgable. Search on the WEB you should find some free-ware.