[nuckphoto]

I am trying to square up holes for piers that a soon to be delivered shed will sit on. The four holes need to be spaced at the four corners of 9' x 15'. Using the diagonal measurements, I get 206.5" one way and by moving the last stake I get 206.5" the other way. But the side measurements ended up being 9' on one side and 8' on the other. One foot off. I pulled the 8' corner stake and keeping it on the 206.5 mark, I moved it until it was 9'. But now the one 15' side is 14' 5". If I move the end stake to make it 15', it'll throw that 9' side off. Can't figure it out. Boggles my mind. I look at you tube videos and they say measure your diagonals and if they're the same, it's square! No, it isn't! Tried the 3-4-5 rule and things were wrong there as well. Hope someone can explain what I'm doing wrong. Thanks.

 

[Daniel Holzman]

How you square the holes depends on what equipment you have. If you have a transit or a level that can turn a 90 degree angle, you start by setting two stakes 15 feet apart, then set the transit or level above one of the stakes, turn a 90 degree angle, and measure off 9 feet. You do the same for the last stake. Then you measure between the two stakes you just set to confirm 15 feet, then measure the diagonals to make sure they are 17.49 feet. You get 17.49 feet by taking the square root of the sum of the squares of 15 feet and 9 feet. This is NOT 206.5 inches, it is 209.9 inches. I don't know how you arrived at 206.5 inches, I suggest you recheck your arithmetic.

If you do not have a transit or a level that can turn a 90 degree angle, start by laying out two stakes 15 feet apart. Then make two circles, one 9 feet long from the first stake, the other 17.49 feet long from the second stake. Where they intersect will be a 90 degree angle from the first line. Do the same for the next stake. Check all measurements to be sure you got it right.

 

[nuckphoto]

Thanks for the fast reply. I don't have the devices you mentioned but I'll try the other method and report back.

 

[jlhaslip]

Just wanted to remind you that the points you measure to/from should be on a level plane. Otherwise the accuracy gets lost due to the non-level points.

EDIT: At least a "relatively level" plane. Within an inch or so of level shoud be good enough.

 

[MushCreek]

Another way to get one side square to another is to use a 3-4-5 triangle. If one leg is 3', and the other leg is 4', the hypotenuse (diagonal measurement) should be exactly 5'. You can multiply the numbers to suit your project- 9-12-15, for example. Once the three corners are squared up, simply measure to set the fourth one.

 

[landfillwizard]

Have you thought of using batter boards? String, boards and plumb bob will get you to a very accurate points to set your blocks.

http://www.build-my-own-home.com/foundation-layout.html

 

[nuckphoto]

Thanks, DH. That worked! It's just amazing how easy things are when you know what you're doing.

 

[ront02769]

The old a squared plus b squared = c squared worked for me for many years....as one of my deals was go lay out soccer fields. CoLe of hundred yard tapes and we were good to go. Did one after which the club didn't think it was right......and got a member who was a surveyed to volunteer and he shot the whole thing.....and they were right....we were close o a foot off on the diagonals of over 120 yards! Ron