Rafter Tail Template Modifications

Can I make my pergola rafter tail template fit 8" or 10" deep rafters?

The reason I don't have deeper rafter tail templates is because they won't fit on the printable area of an A4 sheet, making it almost impossible for me to size them accurately.

However, I've had several visitors to the website asking the same question so have decided to put this on the pergola questions page!

Did the adjustments very quickly on my computer desk to enable you to access this help straight away, so please excuse the quality of the pictures!  Even so, it shows clearly how straightforward it is to make rafter tail template modifications, and also how I do things very quickly when I have to make adjustments for clients 'on the hoof', so to speak.

Let's take a look then...

Step 1

This is the A4 sheet of paper I'm using to make the 6" rafter tail into an 8" rafter tail.  You can also use this method to create a 10" rafter tail template, only you'll need a larger sheet of paper.

Mark 10" from the right hand edge of the paper and draw 8" down.

Step 2

Draw a line across the bottom, mark 1" down from the top edge (this is to maintain the correct proportions), cut out the 6" rafter tail template you have chosen to use (this one is Design 5), and then place this so that the right hand edge is lined up with the right hand edge of the paper.

Step 3

All you need to do now is draw the curve on the underside of the template and extend it down to the bottom line.  I did this free hand.  It was reasonably easy to do, as the distance to the bottom line wasn't very far.

Doing this will extend the bottom horizontal measurement to 3".

Step 4

Here we have the 8" rafter tail template.

Now you'll need to decide if the template, as a whole, is long enough.  I prefer a shorter rafter tail, but feel that this, nevertheless, may be even a little short for this depth of rafter.

All that needs to be done is to extend the 8" vertical line to the left, making it 12" or even 14" long (from the right side edge).

Test It Out

Test your rafter tail template modifications out on a scrap piece of wood, or even a piece of cardboard.  Place the template at right angles to your beam, or another rafter, to get the feel of what it will look like.

You may decide that you would prefer to place the 6" template only 1/2" down from the top, making the bottom curve longer.  Take a little time to try things out; it will pay dividends in terms of the end appearance, as the rafter tail ends really to make a big difference to a pergola.

When you're happy with it, mark your rafters, cut and install!

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