Gang Cutting

(206) 849-7164____(206) 770-6204 (fax)

Some aspects of timber framing are fun. However, as with everything, there are some aspects that just need to get done between the fun parts. We can use our ingenuity to speed up repetitious tasks.

How do you speed up laying out and cutting identical pieces; rafters, purlins, floor joists, etc?

There must be a better way. Here is just one way to make this task easier and faster.

For gang cutting, a big time saver is that the only pieces that need to be laid out are the two outside pieces of a bundle.

The pieces are oriented properly and pushed into a bundle.

The bundle is squared up and firmly clamped (or strapped) into a unit to remove any bow that individual pieces may have.

The lay out lines on the two outside pieces are joined across the bundle using a straight edge or chalk line.

Next, the end cuts and any notches, birds mouths, etc are cut while still in the bundle.

Then the bundle is broken apart and each piece has its joinery cleaned up and finished separately.