How to Build an Open Air Doghouse:The Doggy Retreat

Step 3 Measure, Measure, and Cut

I, like others, like to have as little waste as possible, to the point I have some OCD about it, but I mean for the entire project. So I design then measure, measure, and cut once.

Grab you studs, find your measurements first and then make your cuts.

Make all of your cross cuts first and then start your rip cuts.

Here are the Cross cuts of the studs

(4) 3'3" cuts for the roof rails

(2) 3' cut for rear posts

(3) 2'8" for posts

(1) 2'2" for rails

(2) 2'11" for rear rails

(1) 1'8" for side rails

Rip cuts
Here is how I measured them. I wanted to keep the measurements very easy but maximize the use of materials. A 2" x 4" piece of lumber actually measures 1.5" x 3.5" so here is what I did:

I set my fence to 1.5 inches and then ripped the full length of my cross cut boards. This gave me a 1.5" x 1.5" piece. Just what I wanted. It also gave me a 1.5" x 1.85" so I ripped that piece again and I got another 1.5" x 1.5" piece plus a .25" piece of lattice to use later.

Note- the saw blade itself is about 1/8th of an inch thick so you loose material when cutting, don't for get this or else you cuts may be off. In my case (2) 1/8th inch cuts removed a total of 1.4" inch of material (approximately). That is why every thing worked out for me for the .25 inch piece of lattice, which I will use later.

OK move on to the next step