One of the many tools a timber framer could use to layout complex roof systems is the nice new stainless steel alpha protractor square, the measurements are in inches (imperial not Millimeters).

The degrees on the scale are divided by half degrees but you can position the pointer between the halves and have quarter of degrees (if you needed it).

They are available NOW from Jim Rogers, please contact me for more information. For a shipping quote, please forward me your shipping address.

The cost of these new protractors is $140 and it comes with a free roof layout instruction manual, to instruct you in it's use.


Jim Rogers

Jim: What's the overall size of this thing? CB.

I'll take some measurements and more photos and get back to you about this, this afternoon.

Is this the Dietrich's square I've seen at conferences? Pretty cool tool... I'd snap one up if I were cutting timber more than I cut pixels!

Mike:
Yes it is the same protractor.

Jim Rogers

Here is a picture of the pointer showing how it can be positioned at or on a quarter of a degree:



Here is a shot of the long leg length:



Here is a shot of the short leg length:



And here is a shot of the holes in the short leg:



The holes on one side are on the half inch mark, and the holes on the other side are on the quarter inch mark. To use any of these holes, you place your pencil in the hole and slide your square long your timber and it will layout a line. Similar to the way we layout lines with a Big Al Borneman layout template, but one side will layout on the quarters of an inch.

Here is an example of one of the drawings of how to use it from the manual:



Specs for those who may not be able to see the photos are that the long leg is over 30" long with marks to 29 1/2". The short leg is 12" long, and each protractor leg is 16" long:



If you need any further information, please post, email or call.

They are secured and shipped in a triangle shaped box, as mentioned with the 45 page free roof layout manual.

Thanks

Jim Rogers

We also have available just the framing square, without the protractor:



These are $40 each plus shipping, and are stainless steel as well.

Sold elsewhere for $80.

Jim Rogers

This morning I received an email asking me: "why would a timber framer want such a tool?"

Here is my response to this:

Understanding how to read single beam drawings and how to do the layout of
roof timbers for manual processing is very important to today's timber
framer.

This layout can be done using a Dietrich's Alpha protractor square to easily
and accurately copy the information given in the shop drawings onto the
timbers to create hip, valley and jack rafter cuts.

The Dietrich's Alpha protractor square can help us to apply the traditional
use of drawings and angles. With marks at every 1/2 degree and in imperial
units (inches not millimeters), it can transfer angles to large stock with a
high degree of accuracy. Timber framers using the "Hawkindale" angles, as
many American companies do, find the Dietrich's protractor square especially
useful.

Timber framers who don't use the "Hawkindale" angles also find the
protractor square useful to layout the roof system, as well.

Please consider adding this fine tool to your shop or toolbox.




Jim Rogers

Feb special in USA $125 includes shipping....

Jim,
Do you have any of these alpha protractors left?
I've ordered it several times over the last 5 years and each time there out of stock.

Sim