Hip Joints

[Javelinman]

Can somebody please help. I make birdtables normally standard pitched roof. I am not a roofer, but I have been asked to make a 4 sided pitched roof birdtable. I can find no plans on the internet, can somebody please tell me how to make a hip joint, to make a 35 degree pitch.

 

[RedHerring2]

You need a compound mitre cut at the top of each hip rafter.
Two 45° cuts across the narrow edge, meeting in the midlle and a 55° cut across the broad edge.
You'll have to support the meeting point while you fix them.

Normally, in full size, this is rarely found. You'd have a duo-pitched roof with a very short ridge and two hip ends.

If I find a diagram I'll post one, otherwise I'll try to draw one.

The bottom end of the hip rafter can be finished with a plumb cut or a level cut.
A level cut is probably easier 'cos a plumb cut would really require another compound mitre cut. Unless you have other jack rafters and intend fixing a facsia board. Then the bottom end cut be cut plumb and the facsia board hiding the bottom ends of the hip rafters.

There you go:
View media item 40517

 

[Javelinman]

Cheers mate, life is so much easier when you know what you are doing. Its hasn't been an easy project for me but you can still teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[RedHerring2]

I suppose you could use simple mitre cuts, at 55° across the broad edge and fix the meeting point of the first two opposing hip rafters with a gusset plate (a piece of ply across the joint). then fix the other hip rafters to that gusset plate.