nealtw
Contractor retired
Cut a stud about 3" short of what you need
Measure the distance from your eye level to the top plate. Call that distance X
Cut a piece of plywood 3 1/2 x X .
Cut a slot in the center of the plywood for about 5".
Stand the 2x4 on the bottom plate and hold the plywood up to the top plate and mark where they meet on the 2x4. 2 screws thru the slot each 1' away from the end of the slot snug but loose just enough to slide easily.
Measure your finished length.
Break apart an old tape measure and slide it up between so it reads the same measure as the length and tack it to the 2x4.
Now you don't need a ladder to measure when each and every stud is a different length.:down:
Best bet is to record the length on the bottom plate and come back later and make a list and label them when you cut them.
Measure the distance from your eye level to the top plate. Call that distance X
Cut a piece of plywood 3 1/2 x X .
Cut a slot in the center of the plywood for about 5".
Stand the 2x4 on the bottom plate and hold the plywood up to the top plate and mark where they meet on the 2x4. 2 screws thru the slot each 1' away from the end of the slot snug but loose just enough to slide easily.
Measure your finished length.
Break apart an old tape measure and slide it up between so it reads the same measure as the length and tack it to the 2x4.
Now you don't need a ladder to measure when each and every stud is a different length.:down:
Best bet is to record the length on the bottom plate and come back later and make a list and label them when you cut them.