Claw Lines for Plumb Hip Rafters

Claw Lines for Plumb Hip Rafters
The claw lines are laid out on the roof surface.

Purlin Rafter Seat Line Dimension for Plan View
Purlin Rafter Seat Line Dimension for Roof Surface
Hip Rafter Seat Line Dimension for Roof Surface

Hip Rafter Dimension for Claw Line #1
Hip Rafter Dimension for Claw Line #2
Hip Rafter Dimension for Claw Line #3
Hip Rafter Dimension for Claw Line #4
Hip Rafter Dimension for Claw Line #5

The hip roof claw lines are based on the Main and Adjacent side roof slope angles. These claw line dimensions will only work on hip rafters that are backed out and offset to have equal shoulder heights at the eave line. The claw lines allow you to check your geometric roof surface layout or use these claw line dimensions to layout the claw lines on the roof surface independently of the the other parts of the roof to cut the upper and lower claw angles on jack rafters, purlin rafters and skewed purlin rafters.

The claw lines are based on the

Profile Rafter Depth
Hip Rafter Depth
Hip Rafter Width

The profile rafter depth depth should be the same size as the hip rafter depth if your rafter has an lower claw. Use the claw line dimensions for the correct side of the roof if your roof has two different roof slopes.

Claw Line #1 represents the center line of the hip rafter. It is always equal to 0.
Claw Line #2 represents the edge of the backed out hip rafter.
Claw Line #3 represents the internal edge of the hip rafter backing triangle. It is the intersection of the edge of the hip rafter and the bottom of the rafter. Use lines 2 & 3 for the development of the miter angle on the side of the rafter.
Claw Line #4 represents the intersection of the bottom side of the rafter with the hip rafter.
Claw Line #5 represents the intersection of the top side of the rafter with the hip rafter.
Use lines 4 and 5 to develop the lower claw line on the side of the rafter.

If you use the claw lines independently of the roof, use the Sheathing Angle to draw out the correct roof surface. To draw out the roof surface you can enter the eave length, like 24" in a calculator and use the roof Sheathing Angles as the roof slope angle to calculate the length of the common rafter length on the roof surface.