The Chappell Universal Square incorporates equal pitched rafter tables that give 17 key values including:
Prior to the introduction of the Chappell Universal Square—with its patented Equal Pitched Rafter Tables—carpenters and builders were forced to dig deep into their mental reserves of math to determine roof layouts and cut angles. Even for a basic equal-pitched hip and valley roof system, calculating member lengths and cut angles was a daunting task—even for experienced roof framers.
Seasoned builders often relied on “tricks of the trade” acquired over years of hands-on work. Some of these methods came from personal experience, while others were closely guarded techniques passed down through generations—from master to apprentice, or father to son—occasionally slipping into wider circulation.
When no such trick applied, builders turned to dead reckoning, relying heavily on intuition and instinct. This approach, deeply rooted in the craft, has long been a shared trait among carpenters across generations. Still, it often involved a fair amount of guesswork—along with no shortage of head-scratching.
So, make your choice… you can follow that path… or go straight to the Chappell Square.
The Chappell Square is designed to help builders and roof framers quickly calculate and cut complex roof systems with no guess work. The deeply etched, patented, equal pitched rafter tables give you 17 key rotational angles and length ratios that will make your next Hip & Valley roof build a breeze. No more dead-reckoning, no more guesswork, and no more head scratching. The Chappell Square puts a wealth of knowledge right into the palm of your hand—saving time, reducing mistakes, and avoiding frustration.
Mastering hip & valley roof framing has become simple feat with the Chappell Universal Square. The Equal Pitch Rafter Tables allow anyone direct access to a wealth of information.
All one needs to become a Master Framer is a Chappell Square, a pencil, and a scrap piece of wood to scribble out simple grade school math. The values etched onto the Chappell Universal Square provide the full array of angular and length ratios required to frame virtually any roof system you can imagine—quickly and easily. Presented in a straight-forward base 10 system, the decimal factors in the tables allow for quick and easy long-hand math to be carried out on the nearest scrap of wood. No Trigonometry or complex math required. No frustrating fractions to convert, and NO CALCULATOR and NO BATTERIES REQUIRED.!
Find your peace-of-mind by adding a Chappell Universal Square to your tool box, and get on with the work at-hand of building your masterpiece. You’ll be amazed how easy your next Hip & Valley build will be. With Chappell Square Equal Pitched Rafter Tables on your side, success is within reach.
Visit the Chappell Square YOUTUBE Channel
Learn just how easy it is to use the Chappell Universal Square by viewing our informative series of instructional videos.
Learn more about out the UNEQUAL PITCHED RAFTER TABLES
And while you are at it, check out THE POLYGON RAFTER TABLES
Never Sponsored Substack by Christopher Schwarz: The Chappell Universal Square
This Is Carpentry Review: The Chappell Square, A revolutionary approach to a commonly used tool
Home Fixated Review: Chappell Square Review – The Supercomputer of Framing Squares
JLC-Journal of Light Construction Review: Chappell Master Framer Square
SBE Builders by Sim Ayers: Chappell Master Framing Square Review