Calculated Industries Construction Master III User manual

Calculated Industries
®
Construction
MasterIII ®
User’s Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...................................................... 3
Key Definitions.................................................. 4
Entering Dimensions........................................13
Entering Square and Cubic Dimensions........... 14
Linear Conversions.......................................... 14
Square and Cubic Conversions........................ 15
Mathematical Operations................................16
Adding Dimensions.......................................... 16
Subtracting Dimensions................................... 17
Multiplying Dimensions...................................17
Dividing Dimensions........................................17
Percentage Calculations...................................18
Memory Functions........................................... 19
Fraction Setting............................................... 20
Linear Dimension Calculations........................ 21
Area Calculations.............................................23
Volume Calculations........................................ 27
Board Feet/Lumber Calculations......................32
Right-Angle Solutions...................................... 34
Hip/Valley Rafters............................................42
Hip/Valley Rafters (Irregular)..........................43
Jack Rafters...................................................... 44
Stair Problems..................................................46
Overflow Indication.........................................49
Accuracy........................................................... 49
Battery and Auto-Shut-Off.............................. 50
Full Reset, All-Clear.........................................50
Appendix A (Area Formulas)............................ 51
Appendix B (Area & Volume Formulas)............ 52
Limited Warranty............................................. 53

INTRODUCING:
The Construction Master III ®
Designed for today’s construction professional,
the all-new Construction Master III adds even
more power and ease of use to the already
powerful Construction Masterline-up. As with
earlier models, the format of this calculator is so
simple, even the novice user will find it easy to
solve hundreds of dimension-related problems
right in feet, inches and fractions!
■Add Strings of Dimensions
■Do Instant Dimensional Conversions
■Calculate Square & Rectangular Areas
■Determine Cubic Volumes
■Complete Metric Conversions
■Find Circumference and Area of Circles
■Solve Right-Triangles
■Find Regular & Irregular Hip/Valley Rafters
■Solve Jack Rafters Automatically
■Calculate Stair Risers and Treads
■Estimate Board Feet & Other Materials
■And much, much more!
It also works as a standard math calculator
with Memory, Percent, and battery-saving Auto
Shut-Off.
Calculated Industries, Inc.
4840 Hytech Drive • Carson City, NV 89706
1-800-854-8075 • 775-885-4900 • Fax: [phone]
User’s Guide — 3

KEY DEFINITIONS
[+] [–] [x]
[÷] [=] Arithmetic operation keys.
[%] Four-function percent key.
0 – 9 Digits used for keying-in numbers.
[ . ] Decimal point.
[Off] Turns all power off. Clears the
display and all values previously
stored in Memory.
[On/C] Turns on power. Pressing once
clears the last entry and the display.
Pressing twice in succession clears
all non-permanent registers.
[M+] Stores any displayed number
(dimensioned or non-dimensioned)
in semi-permanent Memory. Also,
adds any displayed number to any
previously-stored number. Redis-
plays stored total in format of first-
entered dimension. For example,
you can add feet to yards to inches,
and when you press the [Rcl] [M+]
keys, the answer will be displayed
as total feet.
[Rcl] Recalls and displays the contents of
the semi-permanent Memory or
registers. Pressing [Rcl] twice in a
row displays and clears the Memory.
4— Construction Master III ®

[√] This key is used to find the square
root of a number. You must be
careful when entering dimensioned
values because by definition the
square root of a linear dimension
does not exist; therefore the calcu-
lator will correctly give you an er-
ror if you try to do this.
[Conv] This key, used in conjunction with a
dimension key, converts one dimen-
sioned number to another dimen-
sioned number. The one logistical
limitation is that you must maintain
convention. You cannot convert
from a linear dimension like feet,
for example, to a square or cubic di-
mension. This violates convention.
Additional [Conv] Key Functions:
When used in conjunction with the following
keys, the [Conv] keygives access to these
additional functions.
[Conv] [√] Finds the square (X2 or X-
Squared) of a number or
dimension. Again, you must
be careful when working with
dimensions because, for ex-
ample, if you try to square an
already square dimension,
you would bring it to the
fourth power, which does not
work on this calculator.
[Conv] [ ÷ ] Reciprocal, or 1/x function.
User’s Guide — 5

[Conv] [ x ] All-Clear, full-reset function
clears Memory and resets all
registers (Jack, Stair, & Frac-
tions) to their default values.
[Conv] [ + ] Pi (π) constant = 3.141593.
[Conv] [ – ] Change sign. Can also be
used to subtract a number
from the semi-permanent
Memory (replaces M-).
[Conv] [ M+ ] Replaces the value stored in
Memory with the value on
the display.
[Conv] [ * ] Fraction Set — This key is
used to semi-permanently set
up the default fractional for-
mat of all your answers.**
This preference setting is
cleared by (1) Performing an
All-Clear [Conv][x], or (2)
Replacing it with another
preferred fractional setting,
or (3) By entering a fraction
with a smaller denominator
than your preferred setting.***
*
Pressing [Conv], followed by any of the numbers 2, 4, 8, 1,
3, 6 will set the fraction. Entries other than these will not
change the fraction display.
** This will be the smallest denominator displayed. If,
however, the lowest common denominator is larger than
your preferred setting, the calculator will display this
instead.
*** Upon turning the unit "On," the "fs" symbol will appear
once to indicate a setting other than 1/64ths. If you are
unsure what base was last used, do an All-Clear.
6— Construction Master III ®

[Conv] [ 2 ] Fraction set to 1/2’s.
[Conv] [ 4 ] Fraction set to 1/4’s.
[Conv] [ 8 ] Fraction set to 1/8’s.
[Conv] [ 1 ] Fraction set to 1/16’s.
[Conv] [ 3 ] Fraction set to 1/32’s.
[Conv] [ 6 ] Fraction set to 1/64’s.
[Feet] This is an entry and conversion
key. The entry can be in whole or
decimal numbers. This key can also
be used in conjunction with the
[Inch] and [/] keys. Example: To
enter 6 feet 9-1/2 inches, the key se-
quence is: 6 [Feet] 9 [Inch] 1 [/] 2
This key can also be used with the
[Conv] key to convert any displayed
dimension to feet.*
[Inch] This key is an entry and conversion
key that works the same way as the
[Feet] key described above.** This
key can also be used with the [Conv]
key to convert any dimension value
to inches.
[Yds] Yards — This key is an entry and
conversion key. The entry can be a
whole number or a decimal number.
It will also convert any other dis-
playeddimensionednumber to yards
when used with the [Conv] key.
* Successive presses of the Feet key toggles the display
between feet-inch-fraction (if any) and decimal feet
(10ths, 100ths) formats.
** Successive presses of the Inch key toggles the display
between inch-fraction and decimal (10ths, 100ths) inch
formats.
User’s Guide — 7

[M] Meters — This is an entry and
conversion key that works in the
same way as the [Yds]key described
above.
[CM] Centimeters — This is an entry
and conversion key used to enter
decimal centimeters or to convert
decimal centimeters from some
other dimensional format when
used in conjunction with the [Conv]
key.
[MM] Millimeters — This is an entry
and conversion key that works in
the same way as the [CM] key de-
scribed above.
[Cu] Cubic— This definition key is used
in conjunction with a dimension key
(feet, yards, meters, etc.) to enter a
volume measurement. Example: 5
[Cu] [Yds]. Three linear dimensions
multiplied together also equal a
cubic dimension.
[Sq] Square — Similar to the [Cu] key,
this definition key is used in con-
junction with a dimension key (feet,
inches, yards, meters, etc.) to enter
an area measurement. Example: 10
[Sq] [Feet]. Also, two linear dimen-
sions multiplied together equal a
square dimension.
8— Construction Master III ®

[/] Fraction Bar— This definition key is
used to define and enter fractions.
Fractions can be both proper (1 or less
— 1/2, 1/8, 1/16) or improper (greater
than 1 — 3/2, 65/64). You enter a
fraction by first entering the
numerator (the part of the fraction
that is above the line) then the [/]
and the denominator (the part below
the line).
For example: To enter 1/2, the key se-
quence would be 1 [/] 2.
[Bd Ft] Board Feet— This key is an entry
and conversion key for board feet
units of measure. A board foot is a
cubic measurement equal to 144
cubic inches. The entry can be a
whole number or a decimal number.
It will also convert any other dis-
played cubic dimensioned number
to board feet when used in conjunc-
tion with the [Conv] key.*
[Per] Per-Unit — This key is used to
enter the per-unit dollar cost of a
dimensioned value. For example, if
you calculated 35 cubic yards of
concrete, and each yard cost $47,
you would use this key with the
times [x] key as follows:
35 [Cu] [Yds] [x] 47 [Per] [=] $1645
* In order to get a proper conversion, you must convert
from a cubic dimension.
User’s Guide — 9

One exception to this key is when
working with board feet: If your
dimension is board feet, the unit
price is entered in the standard
Mbm. (per thousand board foot
measure) format.
[Stair] Using the values entered into Rise
and Run, and the dimension entry
for “Desired Riser Height” (auto-
matically assumed in inches and
permanently stored in Memory),
calculates the following:
1st Press [Stair]: Number of Risers
2nd Press [Stair]: Actual Riser Height
3rd Press [Stair]: Riser Overage/Underage
4th Press [Stair]: Number of Treads
5th Press [Stair]: Actual Tread Width
6th Press [Stair]: Tread Overage/Underage
NOTE: After an All-Clear [Conv][x], the calcu-
lator will default to a “Desired Riser Height” of
7-1/2 Inches. Youmay enter any “Desired Riser
Height” over this default. For example, enter 8
[Stair] and the calculator will assume an 8 inch
“Desired Riser Height.” Youmay also recall
what is stored at any time by pressing [Rcl][Stair]
[Circ] Circle — After the entry of the
diameter of a circle (in either
dimensional or non-dimensional
format) pressing [Circ], solves for
the circumference(1st press) and
circle area(2nd press) of a circle.
10 — Construction Master III ®

RIGHT ANGLE SOLUTIONS
[Pitch] Pitch is the amount of “Rise” in 12
inches of “Run” in a right triangle.
Pitch is most commonly expressed
in inches — i.e., “9 inches of Pitch”
or a “9-in-12 Pitch” — but can be
entered in either decimal (i.e., .75
[Pitch], or 75 [%] [Pitch] for a Percent
Grade) or dimension format.* In
addition, the Pitch can be calculated
given any two sides of a right tri-
angle — Rise, Run or Diagonal.
[Rise] This is the up-side or vertical leg of
a right triangle. This can be entered
or calculated; the latter if you enter
the two other sides or one other
side and the Pitch.
[Run] This is the base-side or horizontal
leg of a right triangle. This can be
entered or calculated; the latter if
you enter the two other sides or one
other side and the Pitch.
[Diag] Diagonal — This is the angled side
or hypotenuse of a right triangle.
While this can be either entered or
computed, it is most often calcu-
lated for such applications as
“squaring up a room” or finding a
stringer or rafter length.
* While entering 9 [Inch][Pitch] is the same as [.] 75 [Pitch]
(because 9 ÷ 12 = .75), entering 9 [Pitch] will give you the
equivalent of 108 inches of Pitch (as 9 x 12” = 108”) and
you should therefore use caution when entering non-
dimensioned values for Pitch.
User’s Guide — 11

[Hip/V] Hip/Valley —Is used to find an
adjacent 45° Hip or Valley rafter off
of a Common rafter. You first solve
for the Common rafter (diagonal)
using either both legs (Rise and
Run) or one leg and the Pitch. You
then press this key to find the adja-
cent Hip or Valley rafter lengths.
NOTE: To find an “irregular”Hip/Valley (where
the Pitch on both sides is not thesame), simply
enter the other roof side’s Pitchdirectly into the
[Hip/V] key. (Forexample, enter 9 [Inch] [Hip/V]
or [.]75[Hip/V]*). The calculatorwill then display
the length of the “irregular” Hip/Valley rafter.
[Jack] Calculatesjack rafters for regular**
45° Hip/Valley rafters based on the
entry, or previously stored value of
the o.c. (on-center) distance in
inches, the Pitch, and leg (Rise, or
Run). Subsequent presses of [Jack]
will display the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
jacks until no more remain, and the
calculator will then display “0.”
NOTE: The defaultfor o.c. is 16 inches, which
will remain permanently stored until an entry
replaces it. To set the o.c. to other than 16 inches,
simply enter the number (calculator will auto-
matically assume inches),and immediately press
the [Jack] key (ex. 18 [Jack]). To recallwhat is
stored, press [Rcl] [Jack] at any time.
* As noted previously, while entering 9 [Inch][Hip/V] is the
same as entering [.] 75 [Hip/V], entering 9 [Hip/V] without
dimensions will give you the equivalent of 108 inches of Pitch,
and you should therefore use caution when using non-dimensioned
Pitch values.
** The built-in Jack rafter function provides jack rafter lengths
only for regular (45°) Hip/Valley rafters (as jack rafter “pairs”
for irregular (non 45°) Hip/Valleys are of unequal lengths).
12 — Construction Master III ®

ENTERING DIMENSIONS
When entering dimensioned values, you must
enter the largest dimension first — feet before
inches, inches before fractions. You enter frac-
tions by entering the numerator (value above the
line) then the “/” (fraction bar) key and then the
denominator (value below the line).
Enter the following linear dimensions:
Dimension Keystrokes
5 Feet 5 [Feet]
1/2 Inch 1 [/] 2
5 Feet 1 Inch 5 [Feet] 1 [Inch]
5 Feet 1-1/2 in. 5 [Feet] 1 [Inch] 1 [/] 2
10 Yards 10 [Yds]
17.5 Meters 17.5 [M]
Note: Yards, Meters, Centimeters andMilli-
meters may only be entered as wholevalues (5
Yards) or decimalvalues (5.5 Meters), and not
in combination with feet and inchesor with
themselves (5 Meters, 2 CM, 8MM). If a
particular problemcontains such a dimension,
you must first convertthe yards (or meters) to
“Feet-Inches” and thenadd dimensions using
the normal process. (See Conversion section.)
User’s Guide — 13

ENTERING SQUARE & CUBIC
DIMENSIONS
Enter square & cubic dimensions* in this order:
(1) Numerical Value
(2) Convention — Square or Cubic
(3) Definition — Meters, Yards, Feet, Inches
Enter the following square and cubic dimensions:
Dimension Keystrokes
5 Cubic Yards 5 [Cu] [Yds]
130 Square Feet 130 [Sq] [Feet]
33 Square Meters 33 [Sq] [M]
LINEAR CONVERSIONS
Convert 14 (linear) feet to other linear dimensions:
Keystrokes Display Shows
14 [Feet] . . .
[Conv] [Feet] [Feet] 14 FT 0 IN
[Conv] [Inch] 168 IN
[Conv] [Yds] 4.666667 YDS
[Conv] [M] 4.267209 M
[Conv] [CM] 426.7209 CM
[Conv] [MM] 4267.209 MM
* A feet-inch dimension cannot be entered directly as a
square, since by definition it is a linear measurement.
However, the area or volume can be found through simple
multiplication. (See Area and Volume examples.)
14 — Construction Master III ®

SQUARE CONVERSIONS
Convert 14 square feet to other square dimen-
sions:
Keystrokes Display Shows
14 [Sq] [Feet] . . .
[Conv] [Inch] 2016 SQ IN
[Yds] * 1.555556 SQ YDS
[M] 1.300648 SQ M
[CM] 13006.48 SQ CM
[MM] 1300648. SQ MM
CUBIC CONVERSIONS
Convert 14 cubic feet to other cubic dimensions:
Keystrokes Display Shows
14 [Cu] [Feet] . . .
[Conv] [Inch] 24192 CU IN
[Conv] [Yds] 0.518519 CU YDS
[Conv] [M] 0.396438 CU M
[Conv] [CM] 396438.2 CU CM
[Conv] [MM] 396438.2 CU CM**
* OPTIONAL: After the first press of [Conv], you do not have
to press [Conv] again -- just press the next dimension format
you wish to find. You must press [Conv] for your first conver-
sion, however, to use this time-saving method.
** Notice in the last conversion to MM, the answer is
displayed in CM, as it is out of the calculator's normal 7-
Digit range (See Auto-Range).
User’s Guide — 15

MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS
Your calculator uses standard chaining logic
which simply means that you enter your first
value, then the operator (+, –, x, ÷), then the
second value and then finally, the Equals sign to
get your answer.
A. 3 [+] 2 [=] 5
B. 3 [–] 2 [=] 1
C. 3 [x] 2 [=] 6
D. 3 [÷] 2 [=] 1.5
This feature also makes the calculator so simple
to use for dimension applications. This is illus-
trated in the following examples:
Adding Dimensions
Add 7 feet 3-1/2 inches to 11 feet 4 inches:
7 [Feet] 3 [Inch] 1[/] 2
[+] 11 [Feet] 4 [Inch]
[=] 18 FT 7-1/2 IN
Add 11 inches to 2 feet 1 inches:
11 [Inch]
[+] 2 [Feet] 1 [Inch]
[=] 36 IN
Add 2 feet 1 inches to 11 inches:
2 [Feet] 1 [Inch]
[+] 11 [Inch]
[=] 3 FT 0 IN*
* The format of the first value you enter determines the for-
mat of the answer. However, with the [Conv] key you can
change to any format you desire, provided that you
maintain convention.
16 — Construction Master III ®

Subtracting Dimensions
Subtract 3 feet from 11 feet 7-1/2 inches:
11 [Feet] 7 [Inch] 1 [/] 2
[–] 3 [Feet]
[=] 8 FT 7-1/2 IN
Subtract 32 inches from 81 inches:
81 [Inch]
[–] 32 [Inch]
[=] 49 IN
Multiplying Dimensions
Multiply 5 feet 3 inches by 11 feet 6-1/2 inches:
5 [Feet] 3 [Inch]
[x] 11 [Feet] 6 [Inch] 1 [/] 2
[=] 60.59375 SQ FT
Multiply 2 feet 7 inches by 10 (a whole number):
2 [Feet] 7 [Inch]
[x] 10
[=] 25 FT 10 IN
Dividing Dimensions
Divide 30 feet 4 inches by 7 inches:
30 [Feet] 4 [Inch]
[÷] 7 [Inch]
[=] 52 (7-inch segments)
Divide 20 feet 3 inches by 9 (a whole number):
20 [Feet] 3 [Inch]
[÷] 9
[=] 2 FT 3 IN
User’s Guide — 17

PERCENTAGE CALCULATIONS
The Percent key can find a percent of a number,*
add a percent to a number, subtract a percent
from a number or divide a number by a percent.
You do not need to press the Equals key to
complete a percentage calculation.
Computing Percentages
1. Find 18% of 500 feet:
500 [Feet] [x] 18 [%] 90 FT 0 IN
2. Add 10% for waste to 137 square feet:
137 [Sq] [Feet] [+] 10 [%] 150.7 SQ FT
3. Take 20% away from 552 feet 6 inches:
552 [Feet] 6 [Inch] [–] 20 [%] 442 FT 0 IN
4. Divide 350 cubic yards by 80%:
350 [Cu] [Yds] [÷] 80 [%] 437.5 CU YDS
You can also find a percentage by dividing one
number by another. These may also be dimen-
sioned or non-dimensioned numbers, but in such
cases you would not use the Percent key.
1. Find what percent 13 is of 75:
13 [÷] 75 [=] .173333 (or 17.3%)
2. 20 feet 8 inches is what percent of 34 feet 3
7/8 inches?
20 [Feet] 8 [Inch]
[÷] 34 [Feet] 3 [Inch] 7 [/] 8
[=] .602124 (or 60.2%)
* The Percent key works with dimensions as well.
18 — Construction Master III ®

MEMORY FUNCTIONS
Whenever the [M+] is depressed, the displayed
value will be added to the semi-permanent
Memory. To subtract a value from the Memory,
simply precede [M+] with [Conv] [–] (ex. 10
[Conv] [–] [M+]).
[Rcl] [M+] recalls and displays the total value
stored in Memory. [Rcl] [Rcl] displays and clears
all values stored in Memory without clearing the
display. Turning your calculator [Off] will also
clear the Memory.
The Memory works with dimensioned numbers
as well as non-dimensioned numbers. Conven-
tion must be followed when using dimensioned
numbers. This means that you can add or sub-
tract any linear dimensioned number, such as
feet to or from yards, or to or from inches to
meters. You cannot add or subtract a linear di-
mensioned number to or from a square or cubic
dimensioned number. Of course any squared
number can be added or subtracted to or from
another. This is also true of cubed numbers.
Finally, the Memory function will always
convert the total dimension into the units of the
first dimension entered.
When there is a value other than 0 in the Mem-
ory, a small “M” will appear on the left side of
the LCD read-out.
User’s Guide — 19

Memory Calculations
1. 10 [Feet] 5 [Inch] [M+]
5 [Feet] 3 [Inch] 1 [/] 16 [M+]
Recall Memory [Rcl] [M+] 15 FT 8-1/16 IN
Clear Memory [Rcl] [Rcl]
NOTE: After using Memory in a calculation, be sure
to clear the Memory [Rcl] [Rcl]to avoidcarrying-over
values from thepreviouscalculation.
2. 105 [Inch] [M+]
45 [Inch] [M+]
37 [Inch] [Conv] [–] [M+]
Recall Memory [Rcl] [M+] 113 IN
Clear Memory [Rcl] [Rcl]
FRACTION SETTING
When you turn on your calculator, it is set to
display values to the nearest 64th of an inch, but
by using the [Conv] key in conjunction with the
number 2, 4, 8, 1, 3, you can change that to show
no lower than 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 or 1/32.* The
fraction will remain set until an All-Clear [Conv]
[x] is performed or until you change the Fraction
Set further. You can set the fraction either after
a value is displayed or prior to performing any
calculations.
NOTE: For all the examples inthis manual, the
fraction will be set to the default of 64ths.
* No matter what fraction value you use, the calculator will
always show you the lowest common denominator of your
fraction — i.e., 1/2 not 16/32.
20 — Construction Master III ®