
IRA SAMUEL GRIFFITH
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREFACE
CHAPTER I Foundations
CHAPTER II Main Frame
CHAPTER III Roof Frame: Square Cornered Buildings
CHAPTER IV Roof Frame: any Polygon
CHAPTER V Exterior Covering and Finish
CHAPTER VI Interior Finish
CHAPTER VII Estimating
A clear, step‑by‑step guide for anyone beginning a career in carpentry, this manual walks the reader through the essentials of building from the ground up. Starting with site preparation and foundation work, it moves methodically through framing, wall construction, and the detailed layout of floor joists. The tone is practical, aiming to translate the author’s own shop experience into lessons that can be followed in a classroom or on a job site.
What sets the book apart is its approachable treatment of roof framing, especially the sections on polygonal roofs that introduce basic trigonometry without assuming prior knowledge. Detailed illustrations and photographs accompany each procedure, while the appendix supplies the necessary math tools, letting students solve rafter lengths and angles with confidence. The text also stresses the importance of accurate estimating, recommending real‑world plans and lumber catalogs to reinforce the calculations.
Overall, the volume serves apprentices, trade‑school students, and even seasoned journeymen who want a concise reference for the fundamentals of carpentry, from footings to the most complex roof designs.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (221K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Manual Arts Press, 1916.
Credits
Tom Cosmas from materials made available on The Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain.
Release date
Mar 7, 2023
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1874–1924
Known for clear, practical books on woodworking and carpentry, this early 20th-century teacher wrote for students, apprentices, and anyone learning by doing. His manuals helped bring shop skills into classrooms as well as workshops.
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