The difference a proper layout stick made on my last deck job

I built a 16x20 foot deck for a client in Springfield last month, and the joist spacing was off by almost half an inch in one section. I was using a speed square and a pencil mark for each one. My boss came by, handed me a layout stick he made from a scrap 2x4 with notches cut every 16 inches on center. We redid the layout in 15 minutes flat, and every joist was perfect. I've been doing it the hard way for three years. What's the one simple tool or trick that changed your speed or accuracy on site?

3 comments

3 Comments

emmag228h ago

Half an inch is basically nothing though.

hollyl457h ago

That layout stick sounds like extra work to me.

hugomurray9h ago

My old foreman in Tampa swore by a chalk line reel for joists, but I still double-check with a tape measure.