Old School is the best. I am building my own house and I enjoyed watching your Video. There aren't many contractors where we live so in order to be cost effective, I think doing the work yourself is more valuable. Your video helped a great deal. Continue the great work!
I don't know where you live but when you do a foundation and engineer have to come back and they have to measure every corner that building better be on the money
You're the man Mike, tons of earned wisdom. I learned so much while enjoying your videos and listening to you. I was checking out all the many different and good ideas over here on utube as I design my stoop project when I landed onto your channel. Can't stop watching you now and don't want to stop. Just remember, if you want it to stick, ya gotta wet it. Ha ha ha ha! Love it Mike. Thank you so much. May God Continue to Bless you.
I use 3-4-5 triangulation to set up batter boards at the corners to hang my string lines on. This gives me a reference point to use from before excavation starts all the way through setting forms, or block work. That said... I really like and rely on your videos for all my block work, you give a lot of great information. Thanks.
A building that is 44'-8" x 36'-1" has a diagonal dimension of 57'- 5 3/64", simple/easy trigonometry. 36'-1" squared + 44'-8" squared = 3297.1186. Square root of this number, which is the diagonal measurement is 57.4205' = 57'-5 3/64". This is the method I use and it is 100% accurate every time, worked to 4 decimal places! I love your work and I subscribed. I've learned a lot!!!!!!! Thanks....13
thanks, good info for sure, always good to check with the wood square old school style at the end though, the old timers knew, (always check twice) thanks for the info, mike
A great way to teach students about the power of mathematics. Make sure you use a good quality steel tape at least 50 meters long. A bit expensive, but worth it, as a mistake at the base can cost megabucks when it comes to the roof and even further bucks when it comes to getting paid.
Thanks Sir, for sharing such a simple trick. I really enjoyed the video. keep it up inspiring us the young guys in this trade. Old school is the mother of all inventions that we see today. I do practice this trade of construction In Kenya, East Africa.
Very nice trick! I finished building a little firewood shed for my mother in law, but it was a bit off square. Realized it when I put on the roof and the plywood did not line up. I wish I would have known this then lol Anyway, thanks for the video. Very informative!
Mike .the first thing I would have done is to find out if the other building is square or not. If it's square it's then a simple process to square the new off the old . Your method is an excellent one to use if the existing building is off square . You can't get a better square than one made off a sheet of factory produced plywood.great video.
Fine way to simplify the start! I like it and will now use it but my days of big things are no more but I follow Your way Mate. You have just taught me all I needed years ago! Australia does learn but does it in metrics now. Either way it is spot on!
3,4,5 with string works every time for ppl that dont know what it is, go 3 ft one way, 4 ft the other, then 5 ft across , it can also be done with 3,4,5 in metres
I am a builder and I like using the 6-8-10 method but check myself several times. Given the cost and hassle of mistakes, being arrogant is unwise. I do like his method and see nothing wrong with it. The diagonal measures will always show the error if your method is wrong.
In the UK almost every mason will make a square using this method out of 3 lengths of 2/1and 3 nails. Here's how I like to do it: Choose two straight pieces about 6/8 foot long and join at one end with a roof bolt. Open it to approx square and mark 3 foot from the corner on one piece and 4 foot from the corner on the other. Tighten the corner bolt and fine adjust until it measures exactly 5 foot between the two marks, now drill and bolt a stabilising piece across making the last hole with a helper to precisely check the 5 foot measurement. These are usually made up on site and left for the carpenters to use up the wood, but a nice one can be easily disassembled for storage. If you're stuck you can fix a length of string and a pointed fishing weight to one end mark a centre line and use it as a level (that really is 'old school').
Lots of comments saying 3 4 5 and so on. But the best thing to use is the pythagorean theorem. A squared, plus B squared equals C squared. Know your diagonals right off the hop.
Hi Wesley , no worries but I have saved a lot of people with high educations from making big mistakes, heck, I had 18 years of education and that was before I quit in 6th grade , lol, thanks mike
If you're measuring both diagonals and they are the same it's always square. Simple and without the need to bother good old Pythagoras or other calculations.
Just pull a parallel dimension from the wall of your existing building and use a 5 point laser to ensure the side walls are square with that. 1/4 of the time and the laser takes up much less space in your toolbox.
Hi Mark, Had one the batteries went dead and stopped working and had to do it the old ways . so don't need one for a couple times a year. same with my old car, the carb works fine. lol, thanks for the comment. mike
Mike, what do you use to rise vertically from your corner blocks to diagonally measure for square above the dirt? Something must be plumb from the corner blocks to get an accurate measurement.
Squaring a building can use different methods. 3-4-5 rule is only for making right angles, and unless your triangle covers all(half) the building length, then you can't ensure you have the rectangle/square, to solve this, along with 3-4-5 you would also need to set 4 corners and adjust until you get it right on all of them, and while adjusting ensure you didn't mess another. This method uses diagonals, and its just 2 of them, pro is 2 less measures, cons is the length to measure can be longer. Either way, at the end you have to measure all sides again.
hi guy, this job was 16 inch deep two blocks side by side, and the inside went right up into the anchor bolts so that is where the rebar had to go. thanks mike
Use the 3,4,5 method, 6.8.10. or whatever multiples you like, the bigger, the better. Measure along the existing building along the side where you are building the addition on. Make a mark there at 8 from the corner'. Then pull a mason line which will represent whatever it is your are going to build, whether it be your footing form or your future building line, whatever you like. Attach one end of the line at the foundation of the existing building, and the other out to either a stake, or a batter board (which is a horizontal ledger board attached to two vertical stakes, which allows you to move your mason's line wherever you like to find out where square is) Then when you have 8' along your existing building, and 6' along your mason line, (mark it with a marker) and you have 10' at the diagonal, you know you are square. You can go 15', 20'. and 25' if you like, which will be much more accurate than any plywood square you can make. (3x5, 4x5, and 5x5) That's how I learned. That will work also. Just plumb down from this line to your footing form or whatever it is you are establishing on the ground, or the top of your finished footing, or whatever.
Hi Ray, I am aware of all that it is just that I got my style that has never failed me, Its hard to teach us old dogs new tricks, lol nothing wrong with what you do if you do it all the time and it works for you, and I know what you say will benefit others,,,,,,, I appreciate it. mike
Hey you may want to show how to use the transit to make sure your footer is the same height all the way around. Any tricks from a old timer for doing this?
Hi Mike, Why didn't you square it before you dug the trenches, I would have been a little easier you don.t have to plumb the corners. Use 2 pegs and a lat in H shape a nail for CL mark off building line line A same for Lines B, C, D. Extend your CL back 2m so your machine can get in a n to dig. If for some reason your profile gets knocked you always have you CL to work from. I Use 3, 4, 5, for setting out. The longer multiples of 3, 4, 5 the better.
Mike I wasnt say you were wrong. We know whats what on a site, sometimes we forget the little bits. If as a training aid or information sheet sometime little thing we take for granted matter. Im british but now live in Africa. Here when they mark out there pegs (blocks) and dig the corners they loose the lines. When people dig footings by hand or machine, pile spoil inside footing. This makes it difficult to diagonal measurements. Knowledge and experience is only gained by hands on, not from blackboard. I enjoyed the video.
batter boards will level and square it will also be easier to adjust wall lines when squaring. a sq + b sq = c sq.you should know the diagonal before you a get started.Greeks knew that 2500 yrs ago.That is old school.
so how do you know which block you have to move, you said that the block closer to camera had to be moved but, you could have moved the other corner and would have got the dimensions to mach. so how do you know which one to move?
It was a hard video to make, I was guessing as I went because I did not know how it would come out, but all you got to do is make the catty corners match. as long as all the dimensions are right it has to work out, check - re check and re check footers and the beginning block work, that is all I could say, best to practice with string in a field to get the ideas, I will be explain more on (block work number 4) I hope it helps,thanks mike
Shouldn’t the vertical rebar in the footer be going through the block, and if so how do you use the plywood square to square the block when the vertical rebar are in the way?
Mike Haduck Masonry thanks Mike, that answers it! I’m attempting to lay my first block wall on an addition to my house. I guess I’ll lay my plywood square outside the vertical rebar on the outer portion of the footer. Wish me luck!
Go to Lowes and purchase a (Construction Master Calculator). Its a 40 dollar calculator that gives you the diagonal measurement for your square. has worked for me for over 45 years.
Hi Richard, that's OK, whatever works for you,, the oldtimers wouldn't let me use the new school stuff,, the batteries don't go dead, and it's hard to make a mistake, but if it works for you, I am all for it, thanks Mike
I love them engineers I'm an engineer heavy equipment operator when I used to do foundations with a concrete guy their the hubs would be with a little cross you run a string and put a nail on that Hub with the cross they're insured for everything I like the one before made a mistake putting a street in cut 4 foot that was supposed to be fill 4 foot haha it was a lot of ground I had a compact my boss got paid well for it
Mike Haduck No problem Mike everyone to their own I just parallel a line off the building to the correct size check diagonal size off building and that’s it .But hey I have no doubt your buildings are square too because you seem very meticulous to detail
I'm a steel fabricator by trade. Your videos are very informative. My house is an old Victorian stye farmhouse 118 yrs old. It is all brick. The brick looks weathered. I was wondering if I fix any bad morter joints , if paint would be a good idea? I think the brick has to breath. Not sure.
I think anybody can use anything they want, but I have seen a lot of "big Mistakes" so I want to check a lot and prove it. I seen one guy have a brick ledge one side and not the other, yet it all measured up, he had to rip it all down, I like checking twice and the old plywood square proves it. that why I do the videos to help the new comers avoid mistakes,,, but anything that works, I always say,,,,, thanks for the comment mike
I Know it wasn't your point but they typically don't use plywood commercial roofing. It's either open framing metal trusses and corrugated metal... precast hollow concrete slabs substrate with insulation and rubber roofing.... and possibly a couple other options... not many but definitely not plywood..
Question for you. It seems that the use of a total station would be faster and more accurate than this method. Was the project budget too small for this, or is it just overkill? I'm not really a construction guy but I worked with a civil engineer for a number of years in my youth. Thanks for the video it was very informative.
Hi Irish, I did a video called "How we use a transit, water level transit, lazer transit, mike haduck." also show how I used one on my "Bock work videos", thanks mike
Mike, theres a thing called ( batter boards ) which are placed by the stakeout crew using a transit. They are used to establish the exact location of all corners and offsets of the building as well as the floor height of the building.
Hi Ernie, and as you know I seen some major screw ups there, I bet you seen it all also, one of the reasons I started these videos is so others will catch the mistakes, thanks mike
thanks mike good work my friend keep up the videos I always enjoy your comments and the fact you try to reply to every question !! your the man mike !!
A squared + B squared = C squared and find diagonal before you ever start. No guessing saves time. You can't square or lay anything out unless your tape is level
Mike knows what he's doing. He's showing different tricks of the trade. Thanks Mike.
Thanks Lexie’s, mike
Old School is the best. I am building my own house and I enjoyed watching your Video. There aren't many contractors where we live so in order to be cost effective, I think doing the work yourself is more valuable. Your video helped a great deal. Continue the great work!
THanks SA, I am glad if it helps, thanks mike
I don't know where you live but when you do a foundation and engineer have to come back and they have to measure every corner that building better be on the money
You're the man Mike, tons of earned wisdom. I learned so much while enjoying your videos and listening to you. I was checking out all the many different and good ideas over here on utube as I design my stoop project when I landed onto your channel. Can't stop watching you now and don't want to stop. Just remember, if you want it to stick, ya gotta wet it. Ha ha ha ha! Love it Mike. Thank you so much. May God Continue to Bless you.
thanks Japers, God is blessing me, and same back at you, I appreciate it. mike
I'm taking my time in learning the best methods possible to do a foundation. I find your video extremely valuable...Thank you so much!
Thanks Allen, mike
I use 3-4-5 triangulation to set up batter boards at the corners to hang my string lines on. This gives me a reference point to use from before excavation starts all the way through setting forms, or block work. That said... I really like and rely on your videos for all my block work, you give a lot of great information. Thanks.
thanks Matthew, I should have said something in the video about 3-4-5 but anything that works, I appreciate it. mike
I'm a tile guy and I use the exact same method. My grandpa thought my dad, dad thought me. I will pass it on to the next guy. Love the videos.
thanks John I appreciate hearing that from a pro, mike
You are a great teacher Mike Haduck!! Thank you for your tips and tricks. I'm learning g alot from you. Keep it up man!!!
Thanks Welders, I appreciate it mike
Thank you Mike, this has helped me so much. Every wall I'm building off of is not in the least bit square. Old school is cool by the way :)
Thanks Simple Living, Mike
A building that is 44'-8" x 36'-1" has a diagonal dimension of 57'- 5 3/64", simple/easy trigonometry. 36'-1" squared + 44'-8" squared = 3297.1186. Square root of this number, which is the diagonal measurement is 57.4205' = 57'-5 3/64". This is the method I use and it is 100% accurate every time, worked to 4 decimal places!
I love your work and I subscribed. I've learned a lot!!!!!!!
Thanks....13
thanks, good info for sure, always good to check with the wood square old school style at the end though, the old timers knew, (always check twice) thanks for the info, mike
A great way to teach students about the power of mathematics.
Make sure you use a good quality steel tape at least 50 meters long.
A bit expensive, but worth it, as a mistake at the base can cost megabucks when it comes to the roof and even further bucks when it comes to getting paid.
Mike, thank you for making the squaring part easy to understand. I finally got it.
Thanks Jet, I appreciate it. mike
Excellent video mate. Show these young blokes how we used to do things. The real way, without an app. Cheers.
Hi John, Cheers also, very true, I appreciate it. mike
Thanks Sir, for sharing such a simple trick. I really enjoyed the video. keep it up inspiring us the young guys in this trade. Old school is the mother of all inventions that we see today. I do practice this trade of construction In Kenya, East Africa.
Thanks Simon, I appreciate it . mike
A stickler for accuracy. I love that. Too many folks don't have pride in their work.
thanks firecloud, I appreciate it. mike
Very nice trick! I finished building a little firewood shed for my mother in law, but it was a bit off square. Realized it when I put on the roof and the plywood did not line up. I wish I would have known this then lol Anyway, thanks for the video. Very informative!
thanks Tec, I appreciate it. mike
Mike im a bricklayer and I realy enjoy your videos
Hi Matt, I appreciate that hearing from the pros, thanks mike
your a bricklayer,and never heard of profiles.????
Outstanding video. You explained this very well and I thank you for taking the time to show us.
Thanks Tim, I appreciate it. mike
Mike .the first thing I would have done is to find out if the other building is square or not. If it's square it's then a simple process to square the new off the old . Your method is an excellent one to use if the existing building is off square . You can't get a better square than one made off a sheet of factory produced plywood.great video.
thanks, I leaned it from the old timers, mike
bric bybrick n
Fine way to simplify the start! I like it and will now use it but my days of big things are no more but I follow Your way Mate. You have just taught me all I needed years ago! Australia does learn but does it in metrics now. Either way it is spot on!
Hi Richard, it is good hearing from a pro, I appreciate it. thanks mike
Great ,this was the best instruction video i have seen . Good show . Thank you ,Mike .
thanks, it was a hard one to make and I still was not sure, but I think I made some decent points, I appreciate it. mike
Hello Mike, your TH-cam channel/information is great. Thank you.
thanks you Ed, I appreciate it. mike
i like doing things the old school...you never go wrong with that
Thanks Francis, Mike
Trying to sell a 4 women 1 man jacuzzi was hilarious! Great job Mike!
Thanks Mike, I like that too, Mike
Old school way - great job!
thanks Knop, I appreciate it. mike
Thank you. Your videos are very educational.
Thanks justamusta, I appreciate it, mike
Excellent. Very helpful. Thanks. God bless.
Thanks HB, God bless, Mike
Thanks Mike learnt some good tricks there
Thanks Gareth, mike
I'm from the old school myself, the 3' 4' 5' method is the preferred methodology, using batter boards you can't miss.
Thanks Gary, mike
I love the old school ways👍👍🍻
Thanks haunted, Mike
Ill be using this for sure. It works for me! Thanks Mike..
Thanks Audio, I appreciate it, Mike
Great Video! thanks from Spain
I love Spain, was there in the Navy 1973, thank you mike
Love the Honest Mike comment about the 4 women 1 man hot tub.
Hi Two legs, it is still for sale! lol, mike
I use batter board method always... also 3_4_5 squaring method a always works. And you can use bigger numbers such as 12_16_20..... 30_40_50 & so on.
Thanks Shawn, I should have said something about that , and If it works for you great, thanks mike
your a great teacher. Love the jacuzzi idea. lol
thanks, it is one of Honest mikes best selling pitches, lol. mike
3,4,5 with string works every time for ppl that dont know what it is, go 3 ft one way, 4 ft the other, then 5 ft across , it can also be done with 3,4,5 in metres
Hi rog , I know about it, but I seen a lot of guys make mistakes, I try and show some ways to avoid that, thanks mike
very true, theres some poor workers out there that have no skill or pride in their jobs
Great video!
Thanks Kevin, Mike
Thanks for sharing knowledge.
Thanks Jose, Mike
Yup, 3 by 4 =5, be it feet or yards or meters, works great for vertices too (if you forgot your level).
Thanks mr music, I appreciate it, Mike
excellent video, thank you mike
thanks juan, mike
I am a builder and I like using the 6-8-10 method but check myself several times. Given the cost and hassle of mistakes, being arrogant is unwise. I do like his method and see nothing wrong with it. The diagonal measures will always show the error if your method is wrong.
thanks Thomas, I agree, thanks mike
30_40_50
In the UK almost every mason will make a square using this method out of 3 lengths of 2/1and 3 nails. Here's how I like to do it: Choose two straight pieces about 6/8 foot long and join at one end with a roof bolt. Open it to approx square and mark 3 foot from the corner on one piece and 4 foot from the corner on the other. Tighten the corner bolt and fine adjust until it measures exactly 5 foot between the two marks, now drill and bolt a stabilising piece across making the last hole with a helper to precisely check the 5 foot measurement. These are usually made up on site and left for the carpenters to use up the wood, but a nice one can be easily disassembled for storage. If you're stuck you can fix a length of string and a pointed fishing weight to one end mark a centre line and use it as a level (that really is 'old school').
Top job mike, greetings from The Emerald Isle, fellow brickie,🇨🇮🇨🇮 are yiu doing any banjo lessons online, got a 5string, nd some lessons
Hi hope poker , I have some old video out, banjo lessons, Mike haduck, nice to hear from the Emeral isle, Mike
Does a 4 woman 1 man hot-tub have the jets in different locations?
I will have to ask Honest mike. LOL mike
Mike you a are a fantastic builder :)
I appreciate it, but I am just passing along what I learned from the old timers, thanks again. mike
Mike Haduck :) best way to keep the skills and trades alive mike :)
Lots of comments saying 3 4 5 and so on. But the best thing to use is the pythagorean theorem. A squared, plus B squared equals C squared. Know your diagonals right off the hop.
Hi Wesley , no worries but I have saved a lot of people with high educations from making big mistakes, heck, I had 18 years of education and that was before I quit in 6th grade , lol, thanks mike
If you're measuring both diagonals and they are the same it's always square. Simple and without the need to bother good old Pythagoras or other calculations.
Thanks Kalle, mike
Just pull a parallel dimension from the wall of your existing building and use a 5 point laser to ensure the side walls are square with that. 1/4 of the time and the laser takes up much less space in your toolbox.
Hi Mark, Had one the batteries went dead and stopped working and had to do it the old ways . so don't need one for a couple times a year. same with my old car, the carb works fine. lol, thanks for the comment. mike
very interesting video! Boy that Honest Mike has his hands into everything lol. what's next?
yes he does, lol , mike
A friend helped my "string" my cabin pillar corners last night. I have to fine tune it because I'm an inch off on the diagnal.
Hi Richard, you will get it, thanks, mike
Mike, what do you use to rise vertically from your corner blocks to diagonally measure for square above the dirt? Something must be plumb from the corner blocks to get an accurate measurement.
Hi Tired, it's tricky for sure but lots of help and holding 2by4s then checking continuously. Thanks Mike
Squaring a building can use different methods. 3-4-5 rule is only for making right angles, and unless your triangle covers all(half) the building length, then you can't ensure you have the rectangle/square, to solve this, along with 3-4-5 you would also need to set 4 corners and adjust until you get it right on all of them, and while adjusting ensure you didn't mess another. This method uses diagonals, and its just 2 of them, pro is 2 less measures, cons is the length to measure can be longer. Either way, at the end you have to measure all sides again.
Hi Andres, I agree, check, check, re-check, and check again, thanks for the imput. mike
why didn't your block wall layout on the rebar risers around 8:40...is that the outside corner(face brick)
hi guy, this job was 16 inch deep two blocks side by side, and the inside went right up into the anchor bolts so that is where the rebar had to go. thanks mike
Would Mike use ICF blocks for anything other than fire starters?
Thanks Mike
Use the 3,4,5 method, 6.8.10. or whatever multiples you like, the bigger, the better. Measure along the existing building along the side where you are building the addition on. Make a mark there at 8 from the corner'. Then pull a mason line which will represent whatever it is your are going to build, whether it be your footing form or your future building line, whatever you like. Attach one end of the line at the foundation of the existing building, and the other out to either a stake, or a batter board (which is a horizontal ledger board attached to two vertical stakes, which allows you to move your mason's line wherever you like to find out where square is) Then when you have 8' along your existing building, and 6' along your mason line, (mark it with a marker) and you have 10' at the diagonal, you know you are square. You can go 15', 20'. and 25' if you like, which will be much more accurate than any plywood square you can make. (3x5, 4x5, and 5x5) That's how I learned. That will work also. Just plumb down from this line to your footing form or whatever it is you are establishing on the ground, or the top of your finished footing, or whatever.
Hi Ray, I am aware of all that it is just that I got my style that has never failed me, Its hard to teach us old dogs new tricks, lol nothing wrong with what you do if you do it all the time and it works for you, and I know what you say will benefit others,,,,,,, I appreciate it. mike
Hey you may want to show how to use the transit to make sure your footer is the same height all the way around. Any tricks from a old timer for doing this?
Hi MD, I have a video out call, “how we use a transit,water level,later transit, Mike Haduck, Thanks , mike
Mr. Mike I am going put up a 4 ft wall split face block. Just a little shape fence. Could I use this method or just 3 4 5 method
Hi Mike, Why didn't you square it before you dug the trenches, I would have been a little easier you don.t have to plumb the corners.
Use 2 pegs and a lat in H shape a nail for CL mark off building line line A same for Lines B, C, D. Extend your CL back 2m so your machine can get in a n to dig.
If for some reason your profile gets knocked you always have you CL to work from.
I Use 3, 4, 5, for setting out. The longer multiples of 3, 4, 5 the better.
Hi Peter, I got my system that works and thank God I never made a mistake, I know other have their own systems,, and no worries there, thanks mike
Mike I wasnt say you were wrong.
We know whats what on a site, sometimes we forget the little bits.
If as a training aid or information sheet sometime little thing we take for granted matter.
Im british but now live in Africa.
Here when they mark out there pegs (blocks) and dig the corners they loose the lines.
When people dig footings by hand or machine, pile spoil inside footing. This makes it difficult to diagonal measurements.
Knowledge and experience is only gained by hands on, not from blackboard.
I enjoyed the video.
thanks much Peter, I appreciate it. mike
up in Canada we call the " batter boards " and it the first thing we set up on the outside corners after the dig
batter boards will level and square it will also be easier to adjust wall lines when squaring. a sq + b sq = c sq.you should know the diagonal before you a get started.Greeks knew that 2500 yrs ago.That is old school.
Lol 😆 how on earth did honest Mike not manage to sell that jacuzzi bath? Tell him to give me a call I'll get one of those 👍🏻😊
Thanks Fresh, lol, Mike
Thank you for the video, it is very helpful .
thanks An R, I appreciate it. mike
Nice job
Thanks Marcus, mike
so how do you know which block you have to move, you said that the block closer to camera had to be moved but, you could have moved the other corner and would have got the dimensions to mach. so how do you know which one to move?
It was a hard video to make, I was guessing as I went because I did not know how it would come out, but all you got to do is make the catty corners match. as long as all the dimensions are right it has to work out, check - re check and re check footers and the beginning block work, that is all I could say, best to practice with string in a field to get the ideas, I will be explain more on (block work number 4) I hope it helps,thanks mike
Great video.Thanks for posting!One thing bothers me though. That drainage line on the building. Why?
Hi mick, just to get the water from the rain gutter from going inside new digging and forming, I appreciate it. mike
Great! details and Insight Mike
thanks jaime , your the man, mike
Shouldn’t the vertical rebar in the footer be going through the block, and if so how do you use the plywood square to square the block when the vertical rebar are in the way?
Hi taurek, I don;t know how to answer that, it is actually a double wall, and I show that on my How I lay block videos, thanks mike
Mike Haduck Masonry thanks Mike, that answers it! I’m attempting to lay my first block wall on an addition to my house. I guess I’ll lay my plywood square outside the vertical rebar on the outer portion of the footer. Wish me luck!
Mike Haduck Masonry hey mike I heard I need to put a bonding beam in the wall. Can you describe what that is?
you can only 3-4-5 square when you are measuring on "level: points!
Hi Stuart, I should have said something about that but next video, I appreciate it. mike
Go to Lowes and purchase a (Construction Master Calculator). Its a 40 dollar calculator that gives you the diagonal measurement for your square. has worked for me for over 45 years.
Hi Richard, that's OK, whatever works for you,, the oldtimers wouldn't let me use the new school stuff,, the batteries don't go dead, and it's hard to make a mistake, but if it works for you, I am all for it, thanks Mike
Nice video!
I built a shed foundation over the weekend and attached the flooring only to find out that it is not square by 2 inches. Is life over?
Hi Demi, no just make some adjustments and I am sure it will work out, it’s not a moon rocket just a shed, thanks, mike
you can make a 3-4-5 triangle which is easier
I know, but I do not always trust it, especially with brick ledges offsets etc, but if it works for you it is OK, thanks mike
I'd work for you. Measure twice or even three times. It only takes a minute.
thanks, Richard, it sounds like we are on the same page, I appreciate it. mike
I love them engineers I'm an engineer heavy equipment operator when I used to do foundations with a concrete guy their the hubs would be with a little cross you run a string and put a nail on that Hub with the cross they're insured for everything I like the one before made a mistake putting a street in cut 4 foot that was supposed to be fill 4 foot haha it was a lot of ground I had a compact my boss got paid well for it
this Mans a goddamn genius!!!
Hi Daniel, I am just passing along what I learned from the old timers, thanks Mike
nice footer!
As long as you work your diagonal size on a calculator and plumb down to footing and mark you do it in zig time.
Hi clipper, as long as it works, I just want to make sure, I appreciate it. mike
Mike Haduck No problem Mike everyone to their own I just parallel a line off the building to the correct size check diagonal size off building and that’s it .But hey I have no doubt your buildings are square too because you seem very meticulous to detail
thanks chipper, I am sure your buildings are the same, I appreciate it. mike
Measure diagonal, corner to corner. If both match, then it is square.
I'm a steel fabricator by trade. Your videos are very informative. My house is an old Victorian stye farmhouse 118 yrs old. It is all brick. The brick looks weathered. I was wondering if I fix any bad morter joints , if paint would be a good idea? I think the brick has to breath. Not sure.
Toby, I agree, thanks mike
thats a stupid answer,youv got ten foot one in legth and ten foot two the other side in length,then crner to corner wont work.duh.
how is your back? do you have pain?
Why don't you use profile boards? It should save you a lot of measuring and re-measuring at each stage.
I think anybody can use anything they want, but I have seen a lot of "big Mistakes" so I want to check a lot and prove it. I seen one guy have a brick ledge one side and not the other, yet it all measured up, he had to rip it all down, I like checking twice and the old plywood square proves it. that why I do the videos to help the new comers avoid mistakes,,, but anything that works, I always say,,,,, thanks for the comment mike
I Know it wasn't your point but they typically don't use plywood commercial roofing. It's either open framing metal trusses and corrugated metal... precast hollow concrete slabs substrate with insulation and rubber roofing.... and possibly a couple other options... not many but definitely not plywood..
I am a bit old school shawn, this building, the did, not my decision, as long as it is square, thanks mike
Old school mike. Nice work.
thanks Jose, I appreciate it. mike
Question for you. It seems that the use of a total station would be faster and more accurate than this method. Was the project budget too small for this, or is it just overkill? I'm not really a construction guy but I worked with a civil engineer for a number of years in my youth. Thanks for the video it was very informative.
GOOD INSTRUCTION MIKE....GOOD JOKE ALSO!! LOL.. THANKYOU
thanks again, mike
Yes I would definitely call an engineer top of foundation corner of the building Stakes hubs and they are insured my mistakes are not
Thanks Robert, mike
for a non bearing block wall how deep the footing
Hi Vieques, block walls are only good for bearing walls, I would ask the inspector in your area, thanks mike
And as everyone knows, "Pretty Damn Close" is closer than close! ;o))
very true, LOL thanks mike
What about the plumbing and electric
Hi Donald, it was in there already, thanks Mike
How about a transit??? Or the ole 3,4,5 method...
Hi Irish, I did a video called "How we use a transit, water level transit, lazer transit, mike haduck." also show how I used one on my "Bock work videos", thanks mike
Mike, theres a thing called ( batter boards ) which are placed by the stakeout crew using a transit.
They are used to establish the exact location of all corners and offsets of the building as well as the floor height of the building.
Hi Ernie, and as you know I seen some major screw ups there, I bet you seen it all also, one of the reasons I started these videos is so others will catch the mistakes, thanks mike
3,4,5 method and install ledgers for profiles. Your method works but this method is easier
Hi Wesley, I understand, but I keep what I got cause I never made a mistake, thank God, I appreciate the comment, mike
Even though it’s probably not too far off, all this squaring should have been done prior to the footers.
Hi Sean, we Used marking paint on the ground for the excavator, so I guess you could say it was squared off before we dug it, thanks Mike
that timber square you made how do you know the timber is 100% true ?
Hi 1 gaming, I guess the same way you know rulers or tapes or everything else is true, you got to "test" them, I hope it helps, thanks mike
thanks mike good work my friend keep up the videos I always enjoy your comments and the fact you try to reply to every question !! your the man mike !!
I appreciate it. thanks mike
how would you circle a building
I put a peg in the middle and get a sting and follow the end of the string for a circle, I hope it helps thanks mike
was kidding but thanks
Mike Haduck how would you find the middle😂
Richard wil that's easy. You just have to find the center. It's right there in the middle.
A squared + B squared = C squared and find diagonal before you ever start. No guessing saves time. You can't square or lay anything out unless your tape is level
Hi Joe, anything that works, thanks mike
Funny looks like rewards are in wrong spot for block?
hi ray, It is a double block wall, check out my video" How I lay block (part 4) mike haduck, thanks mike
nice job
thanks casy, I appreciate it. mike
3-4-5....6-8-10..30-40-50 all work as per Pythagoras theorem.
Hi mitzvah, I know it works, I just show old school because it cuts down on a lot of mistakes, I appreciate the comment , thanks mike
I like that gonna try it thanks
Your method works but so do some marks on the wall and two tape measures, for the 9-12-15 method.
Thanks Steve, if it works for you that’s fine, thanks mike
Lmao honest Mike tried to make an honest buck on those 4 woman 1 man hot tubs😂😂 idk how they didnt see it
Hey Kristian, Yes honest mike is always there to help, lol mike
That's way more accurate than the 3-4-5. You can use a construction master calculator and you can square it down to an 1/8.
thanks ac, another way to look at it. I appreciate it. mike
Thx mike!!
Thank you Dan, Mike
Building like that is easy. Construction calculator and pull diagonals
Hi tim, I am show old school, Thank God I never made a mistake, I appreciate it. mike
Well done
thanks TY, I appreciate it, mike
measure 12' one way 12' the other way if your diagonal is 16' 115/8" it's square
Hi J.A.E. As long as it works, thanks, mike
@@MikeHaduck what are your thoughts about a spread footer on sandy soil?
Nice tip :D
thanks, I appreciate it. mike