Available NOW at bookstores and Amazon (CLICK on title)
by: Will Holladay
Four years to write - A lifetime to gain the experience
A
journey is a person in itself, no two are alike. We find after years
of struggle that we do not take a trip, a trip takes us.” - J
Steinback
In
From the Top Plates Up, production roof cutter Will Holladay, author
of the classic roof framing manual A
Roof Cutter's Secrets (1988,
2002, 2014) and the challenging workbook The Complicated Roof (2009)
shares a bucket load of stories as he reflects back over his 42-year
career as a hard swinging roof framer. The book goes back to the
early 1970s when the author was a jobsite laborer working for a
custom builder and carries all the way through to 2014 when injuries
finally got the best of him. It is the love story of a man and a
job. The story of a relentless roof-framing junkie who was never
happy unless he was up in the air. Interwoven in the book are
intriguing stories of lessons learned – many the hard way – aimed
specifically at helping the reader avoid the same pitfalls that
tripped him up. The book harbors a kaleidoscope of fun and
informative topics including: his favorite tools; swinging a hammer;
avoiding jobsite injuries; dealing with simple or crippling medical
events; forging a top-notch framing crew; setting up your work truck;
the history and tools of production roof cutting; applying the cool
new rafter cutting inventions; the development of modern day roof
framing lingo; and, staying in physical shape for maximum jobsite
performance. In one stirring chapter Will tells of his conversion to
Christianity while stacking roofs in the Los Angeles housing tracts
and how that decision eventually lead him to a part-time ministry in
Central America where he helps out as a relief pilot and teaches
locals rough carpentry skills. The book is truly a collection of the
best pearls of wisdom from one of the industry’s most beloved roof
framers. It is written in a manner that will cause the reader to
stop and think, all the while challenging him/her to reach for the
stars.
Table of Contents
Chapters
1.
One Swing, One Nail – the art of the hammer
2.
My Two Best Friends – a Skil 77 and a Homelite chainsaw
3.
The Minimalist – “simple” and “speed” both start with an
“S” (the tools I use)
4.
A Man and his Truck
5.
The Making of a Framing Crew
6.
Roof Cutters – a flash in time (the history of production roof
cutting)
7.
Smiles and Frowns – successes and failures (jobs)
8.
Where was Adam when we needed him – names matter (roof framing
terms)
9.
Filling Needs – the Headcutter and the Seat-cut guide stories
(inventions)
10.
Framing Is a Street Fight – treating and avoiding jobsite injuries
11.
The Domino Principle and the Downhill Slide (a story of injuries)
12.
Teaming up with the Perfect Carpenter
13.
Train to Survive the Battle (physical training ideas for a framer)
Reader's comments
Hi Will. Your new book provides a magnificent picture of production
framing at a truly professional level.
JS
Will, I just wanted to let you know I finished “From the top plates
up” last week and it was a joy to read. As someone who has become very
interested in the days of tract homes and the production framing
techniques that were developed during the time period, your book had
great insight. Again loved the book and it has a new spot on my
bookshelf, top shelf right beside my dog eared, underlined ,highlighted
and well worn copy of RCS!
BP
This book
managed to capture a look into the world of framing through an amazingly
talented carpenter. The journey reveals tricks and tips that will add
knowledge to anyone who has a desire for advanced skills in framing.
Along with the hard work of framing comes wear and tear on your body. I
was pleased to read that maintaining fitness to perform this hard trade
was addressed. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about a dedicated tradesmen and a wonderful life story.
DS
I have purchased and really enjoyed and benefited from two of your books: A Roof Cutter’s Secrets to Framing the Custom Home, and From the Top Plates Up. I am a carpenter (of course), and found a lot of times where what you wrote expressed how I’ve felt but never even realized. It was great to have it put into words; I even got a good laugh because of it a few times.
KK
Hi Will,
"From the Top Plates up" took me back in time. I became a rough carpenter in 1969 at 18. Did layout, stood walls, P&L, joist. Unlike you, I never gravitated to stacking or fascia. I was a little afraid of heights. I admire your expertise in that area. One of my first jobs as an apprentice was working with a roof cutter in the San Fernando Valley. I moved to San Diego in ’73 and continued my rough framer career until 1984. I made the jump into residential supervision, then VP of Operations, you know…corporate bullshit. I am now retired but my fondest memories are being a young framer. Thanks for getting me back in touch with some great memories.
SH