Platform framing

[Bob Rowlands]

2x4s huh? That's good. Why? You can easily cut this blocking on edge in two passes with your full size Skilsaw. Cut one edge transfer marks and then finish the cut on the other edge. You can't do that with 2x6 only 2x4 so you are making this easy, and easy is always good.

The easy way to do this oddball angle blocking is to mark in place and cut in place. I always block the guard up on my saw for the steep angles past about 25 degrees, but do so at your own risk. So I block up the guard and set the blade to full depth at standard 90 degree cut. You are using 2x4 and two full 2" deep cuts makes it through a 3.5" 2x4. COOL!

Lay the 2x4 'joist stock drops' on edge on top of the 2x4 frame in the - exact position- where you want it. Reach under the block and mark the cut using the edge of the framing as the guide for your stubby pencil. Flip the blocking over so you can see your marks facing up. Make the cut with the shoe of the saw resting on the edge, -not the face-. On the edge. Cut your mark. Note that if you wield the saw right handed do the right cut then the left.


Flip the cut side down. Grab stubby and transfer the sawcut. Mark the top edge. I just do it bt eye no squares are needed for any of this short 2x4 work. Finish cutting the block. Voila you are done.

If theres no deck underneath to lay the block in its bay, just mark the block 1, 2, 3 and the joists it goes in 1, 2, 3 etc. as you are transfering the saw cut marks and the pencil is in your hand.

The easy way is generally where there's no head scratching, fiddly farting around with squares, protractors, math and so on. Remember it's blocking not trim work. Most importantly, enjoy your work.