Whitmer Decks Field Tools

This set of tools is what you need to make your job of building a deck, screened porch, or any other home improvement project, more efficient and of higher quality. It is much simpler than a typical construction calculator, and just provides the basic information needed with minimal input.

I have been in carpentry and building for decades. Therefore I understand what is important to know in the field and what is information overload. It is good to keep things simple and just give you answers you need with minimal input required. I have build hundreds of sets of stair, but I still use this application before each set is even started.

The app is geared towards deck building and carpentry, but these tools can be used for many other projects. An electrician reported using the even spacer module to space recessed lights evenly across the ceiling.

The application is written by Cliff Whitmer who has many years of deck building, as well as software development experience.

It has worked well for us on the job site, and is very simple to use.

Take a look at the help section for advice on using the application and helping you build a better deck.

The tools provided include:

Even Spacer - Quick and easy way to divide a measurement to space items evenly.

Picket Spacer - Space Pickets (AKA Balusers, Spindles) evenly for a rail section.

Stairs - Help determine the number of rises needed for a set of stairs.

Common Rafter - Provide the measurements for cutting a common rafter.

Right Triangle - Enter the measurements for two sides of a triangle and get the remaining side only with the angles. Helps in squaring up a deck to the house.

Pitch - Used to determine pitch of an existing roof.

Regular Polygon - Used to determine numbers relating to gazebo layout (octagon, hexagon, etc.).

Decking layout calculator - Know when rip the first piece of decking, before you get started.

Fraction calculator or measurement calculator – Work with measurement in Imperial (feet and inches) or metric. No more converting everything to decimal for calculations and then back for layout.

Services Provided:

- Joist Layout Calculator

- Baluster Calculator, Picket Calculator, Balustrade Calculator

- Stairs

- Rafter

- Right Triangle

- Pitch Finder

- Regular Polygon (Gazebo)

- Decking Layout

- Fractional Calculator (AKA Measurement Calculator, Feet Inch Calculator)

Please provide feedback of additions and changes you would like to see added in future releases.

There is a full, context sensitive help system integrated into the application. Just press the question mark at the top and you will be taken to a help screen related to that area.

Instructional videos are included in the help system.