JOHNSON CALC-1500 Building Calculator Instruction Manual

JOHNSON CALC-1500 Building Calculator

Specifications

• Product Name : CALC-1500 Building Calculator
• Product Type : Calculator
• Features : Area and Volume calculations, Right Triangle/Roof
  Framing calculations , Stair Layout calculations, Additional Functions

Product Usage Instructions

Calculator Functionality
The CALC-1500 Building Calculator is a versatile tool designed for various construction and building calculations. It includes functions for area and volume calculations, right triangle/roof framing calculations, stair layout calculations, and additional functions.

Area and Volume Calculations
The calculator allows you to calculate area and volume for different shapes and structures. Use the appropriate keys to input dimensions and calculate the desired values.

Right Triangle/Roof Framing Calculations
For roof framing and right triangle calculations, utilize the specific keys provided on the calculator. Input the required values such as pitch, rise, run, and diagonal measurements to obtain accurate results.

Stair Layout Calculations
When working on stair layouts, use the designated keys for riser height, tread width, number of risers, number of treads, stringer length, and angle of incline. The calculator helps in determining these crucial measurements accurately.

Additional Functions
The calculator offers additional functions like memory storage, paperless tape mode, and user settings customization. Familiarize yourself with these functions to enhance your efficiency while using the calculator.

FAQ

• How do I access the paperless tape mode?
  

  • `To access the paperless tape mode, add your values as usual. After inputting the values, press the designated key to enter the tape mode. You can then scroll through your entries to review them.

• How can I customize user settings on the CALC-1500 Building Calculator?
  

  • To customize user settings, press the Conv key followed by the % key. Use the % key to scroll through the main settings and the + key to enter sub-settings. To exit Preferences, press the On/C key.

CALC-1500
Building Calculator

Instruction Manual

Building Calculator

Product Features

• Pre-programmed right angle and stair calculations including pitch, rise and run
• Accurate stair, rafter, roof and framing calculations
• Easily calculate linear, area and volume
• Complete rafter, circular, rake wall and board feet calculations

Key Descriptions

CALCULATOR FUNCTION KEYS

Off
Off Key: Turns off the calculator. All temporary registers are cleared.

On/C
On/Clear Key: Turns on the calculator. Press once to clear the display. Press twice to clear all temporary values.

• Mathematical operation keys.
• Keys for entering numbers.

%
Percent Key: Four-function (+, –, x, ÷) percent key.

Square Root Key: Use to find the Square Root of a non-dimensional or area value.

/
Fraction Key: Use to enter fractions. Fractions can be entered as proper (1/8, 1/5, 3/16) or improper (5/2, 17/16). If the denominator (bottom value) is not entered, the calculator will default to a 16th of an inch setting.

Conv
Convert Key : Use with number keys to convert between dimensions, or to access special functions with other keys.

M+
Memory Key : Add the displayed value to the temporary Memory. The temporary Memory will clear when the calculator is shut off.

Rcl
Recall Key: Use with other keys to recall stored settings and calculations.

LENGTH KEYS

Yds
Yards Key: Enter or convert units to yards. When entering values, press the Yds key once for yards, twice for square yards, and three times for cubic yards.

Feet
Feet Key : Enter or convert units to feet as a whole or a decimal. When entering values, press the Feet key once for feet, twice for square feet, and three times for cubic feet. Use with the Inch and / keys to enter feet-inch values. Press the Feet key to toggle between fraction and decimal feet.

Inch
Inch Key: Enter or convert to inches as a whole or a decimal. When entering values, press the Inch key once for inches, twice for square inches, and three times for cubic inches. Use with the / key to enter fractions of an inch values. Press the Inch key to toggle between fraction and decimal inches.

m
Meters Key : Enter or convert units to meters. When entering values, press the m key once for meters, twice for square meters, and three times for cubic meters.

cm
Centimeters Key : Enter or convert units to centimeters. When entering values, press the cm key once for centimeters, twice for square centimeters, and three times for cubic centimeters.

mm
Millimeters Key : Enter or convert units to millimeters. When entering values, press the mm key once for millimeters, twice for square millimeters, and three times for cubic millimeters.

Bd Ft
Board Feet (Bd Ft): Enter or convert cubic values to board feet (e.g. 1 Bd Ft = 144 cubic inches).

Weight
Weight Key : Enter or calculate a volume to tons, pounds, metric tons or kilograms. Press the Weight key to scroll through these units. The default setting is 1.5 tons per cubic yard.

ARC/CIRCLE KEYS

Circ
Circle Key: Calculate the area and circumference of a circle based on the entered diameter. Press the Circ key to scroll through the area and circumference calculations.

Arc: Calculate arc length or degree based on the entered diameter and arc degree or length (e.g., if arc degree is entered, it will calculate arc length, and vice versa). Press the Circ key to scroll through the diameter, area, and circumference calculations.

RIGHT TRIANGLE/ROOF FRAMING KEYS

Pitch
Pitch Key : Use to enter or calculate the pitch (angle) of a roof or other right angle. Pitch is the steepness of a slope over a length such as the amount of “rise” over 12 inches of “run”. Press the Pitch key to scroll through pitch, degree of pitch,% grade, and slope. Pitch may be entered as

A pitch entry will remain in permanent storage until revised or the calculator is reset. A solution will be replaced by its entered value once the calculator is cleared.

Enter a pitch ratio (e.g., • 653 Conv Pitch).

Rise
Rise Key: Enter or calculate the rise or vertical leg (height) of a right triangle.

Run
Run Key : Enter or calculate the run or horizontal leg (base) of a right triangle.

Diag
Diagonal Key: Enter or calculate the common or diagonal leg (hypotenuse) of a right triangle. Typical applications are “squaring” slabs or finding common rafter lengths.

Hip/V
Hip/Valley Key : Calculate length of the regular or irregular hip/valley rafter.

Irregular Pitch : Enter the irregular pitch used to calculate lengths of the irregular hip/valley and jack rafters.

Jack
Jack Key : Calculate jack rafter lengths on the regular-pitched roof side.

Irregular Jack: Calculate the jack rafter lengths on the irregular- pitched roof side.

R/Wall
Rake-Wall Key: Find the stud sizes based on entered right triangle values and the stored on-center spacing. If a dimensional value is entered before pressing R/Wall, that value is considered the base and will be added to the stud lengths.

STAIR LAYOUT KEYS

Stair
Stair Key : Calculate or display various calculations for stair construction. Enter a rise and/or run with an entered or stored variable to display the following:

Stair Default Values

• 7-1/2″ Riser height
• 10″ Tread width

STAIR SETTINGS
Set “riser height” and “tread width” to any value by using the following keys:

•   Riser Height : Store a custom riser height other than 7-1/2″ (default). For example, enter 4-1/2 inches: 4 Inch 1/2 Conv 7.
• Tread Width: Store a custom tread width other than 10″
  (default). For example, enter 22 inches: 22 Inch Conv 9.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Backspace Key: Use to delete entries one character at a time (unlike the On/C function, which deletes the entire entry).

(1/x) Reciprocal : Find the reciprocal of a number, calculated as 1 divided by that number. (e.g., 5 Conv ÷ = 0.2).

Clear All: Clear all values, including M+, and return all stored values to the default settings. This does not affect Preference Settings.

(+/-) Toggle: Convert a positive value to a negative one, or a negative value to a positive one.

Pi (π): Use to calculate various curves using Pi (3.141593).

x2 : Square a linear or non-dimensional value.

Preference Settings: Use to permanently store custom preferences. See the Appendix for a list of preferences available.

Memory Minus (M-) : Subtract the displayed value from Memory.

Memory Clear: Clear the temporary calculator Memory without changing the current display.

Memory Clear: Total all values stored in the temporary calculator Memory.
NOTE: This will also clear all values in the temporary Memory.

Paperless Tape: Scroll through the past 20 entries or calculations to review figures. Press Rcl = to access Paperless Tape mode. Press + or – to scroll forward or backward. Press = to exit mode and continue with a new entry or calculation.

Paperless Tape Example
Add 8 feet, 6 feet and 2 feet, then access the paperless tape mode and scroll back through your entries. Then, back up one entry, exit the tape mode and add 8 feet to the total.

USER SETTINGS
Press Conv, then % to enter User Settings. Press % to scroll through the main settings. Press the + key to enter and advance through sub-settings of each main user setting. Use the – key  to reverse through the sub-settings. Press the On/C key to exit Preferences. See the chart below for a listing of User Settings available.

USING THE MEMORY
Store values in a temporary Memory by pressing M+. Other Memory functions include:

Memory is semi-permanent, clearing only when you

• Turn off the calculator
• Press
• Press
• Press

M-R/C M-
When Memory is recalled ( ) , consecutive presses of  will scroll through the total, the calculated average, and the total count of the accumulated values.

Example

Basic Functions

ENTERING DIMENSIONS

Linear Dimensions=
When entering feet-inch values, enter dimensions from largest to smallest, feet, then inches, then fractions. Enter fractions by entering the numerator (top number), pressing / (Fraction key) and then the denominator (bottom number).
Note: If the denominator (bottom value) is not entered, the calculator will default to a 16th of an inch setting.
When entering metric values, enter as a decimal value. For example, 58 meters and 50 cm would be entered as 58.5 m.
Examples of how linear dimensions are entered (press On/C after each entry):

BASIC MATH OPERATIONS
This calculator uses standard chaining logic, which means that you enter the first value, the operator (+, –, x, ÷) the second value and then the Equals key (=).

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DIMENSIONS
Add the following measurements

• 6 feet 1-1/4 inches
• 14 feet 7-1/4 inches
• 16.75 inches
  Then subtract 5-3/8 inches.

MULTIPLYING DIMENSIONS
Calculate the perimeter of a room with three walls that each measure 15 feet 3-3/4 inches:

KEYSTROKE DISPLAY

Multiply 4 feet 8 inches by 10 feet 3-3/4 inches

DIVIDING DIMENSIONS
Divide 17 Feet 7-3/4 inches into thirds (divide by 3)

Calculate the number of 4 feet 2-1/2 inch pieces that can be cut from a 25 foot board

CALCULATING PERCENTAGES
Add a 15% waste allowance to 3.45 cubic yards

Calculate 22% of $2,150

CALCULATING SQUARE AREA
Calculate the area of a square room with sides measuring 17 feet 5-1/2 inches:

CALCULATING RECTANGULAR AREA AND VOLUME

Calculate the area and volume

• Length : 18 feet 9-3/4 inches
• Width : 16 feet 4-1/4 inches
• Height : 10 inches

First, multiply the length times the width to find the area. Then, multiply the area times the height to find the volume

ADDING A WASTE ALLOWANCE TO SQUARED AND CUBIC UNITS

CONVERTING WEIGHT
Convert 35 pounds to other weights (tons, metric tons, kilograms

Calculator may not display pounds upon first press of Weight; it depends on which unit was accessed last. Press Weight until LB (or desired unit) is displayed, then convert to one of the other units of measure.

CONVERTING LENGTH MEASUREMENTS
Convert 12 feet 7 inches to other dimensions, including metric

Convert 22 feet 4-1/4 inches to decimal feet

Convert 20.75 feet to feet-inches

CONVERTING AREA MEASUREMENT
Convert 72 square feet to square yards

Convert 35 square yards to square feet

Convert 246 cubic feet to cubic yards

Sample Project Calculations

BOARD FEET AND COST
Find the total board feet for the following boards
2x4x16, 2x10x18 and 2x12x20. What is the total cost at $572.50 per MBM*?
Per thousand board foot measure

CARPENTRY: CALCULATING NUMBER OF STUDS
Calculate the number of 16-inch on-center studs needed for a 18 feet 7-1/4 inch wall.

BALUSTER SPACING

Calculate the number of balusters needed for a handrail measuring 255.75 inches long. The space between balusters is to be about 4 inches. Each baluster is 1-1/2 inches wide.

Desired spacing plus baluster width (4 inches plus 1-1/2 inch)
1 baluster is subtracted since we don’t want one on the very end of the handrail.

CIRCLE AREA AND CIRCUMFERENCE
Calculate the area and circumference of a circle with a diameter of 33 inches

ARC ANGLE OR DEGREE
Calculate the arc angle (or degree of arc), given a 6-foot diameter and an arc length of 4 feet 3 inches

CONCRETE VOLUME FOR DRIVEWAY
Calculate the cubic yards of concrete required to pour a driveway that measures: 12 feet 3 inches long x 8 feet 4 inches wide x
3 inches deep. If concrete is $135 per cubic yard, what will it cost?

CONCRETE COLUMNS
Calculate the cubic yards of concrete needed for four columns, each with a diameter of 5 feet 3-1/4 inches and a height of 10 feet 4 inches:

COMPLEX CONCRETE VOLUME
You’re going to pour an odd-shaped patio 3-1/2 inches deep with the dimensions shown below. First, calculate the total area (by dividing the drawing into three individual rectangles) and then determine the total yards of concrete required for this job

RIGHT ANGLE/FRAMING

The Pitch, Rise, Run, and Diag keys provide built-in solutions to right triangles. The solutions are available in any of the linear dimensions offered on the calculator including feet and inches, decimal feet, meters, etc. Any value of a right triangle can be found given two of the four variables: 1) Rise, 2) Run, 3) Diagonal or 4) Pitch

SQUARING-UP A FOUNDATION

Square-up 14 feet 9 inch (run) x 11 feet 4 inch (rise)

PITCH — CONVERTING ROOF ANGLE
Calculate the % grade, pitch ratio/slope and pitch in inches if the roof angle is 18.4°:

CONVERTING SLOPE
Calculate the pitch in inches, pitch degrees, and percent grade if the pitch ratio/slope is 0.249

COMMON RAFTER LENGTH
Calculate the point-to-point length of the common rafter on a 7/12-pitched roof with a span of 27 feet

REGULAR HIP/VALLEY AND JACK RAFTERS

Calculate the lengths of the common, hip/valley and jack rafters (jack rafters at 16 inch on-center). The roof’s pitch is 11/12 and half the total span is 7 feet.

*Uses standard (default) 16-inch on-center. To enter a custom on-center (e.g., 17 inches) press 17 Inch Conv 5. Press Rcl 5 to review stored value. This value will remain stored until you re-enter a new value or perform a Clear All (Conv x).

IRREGULAR HIP/VALLEY
Calculate the common rafter length, irregular hip/valley and jack rafter lengths. The rafter has a 8/12 pitch and half of your overall span is 12 feet 9 inches. The irregular pitch is 6/8.

Continue to press Jack until the last regular jack or “0.” is reached.

• It is not necessary to keep pressing Conv when displaying the irregular jack sizes.

RAKE-WALL — WITH BASE
Calculate each stud length in a rake-wall with a peak of 14 feet 9 inches at an 9/12 roof pitch, and a run length of 4 feet 10 inches. Use 16 inches as your spacing (default):

STAIRS — GIVEN RISE AND RUN
Calculate the stair dimensions for a stairway that has a floor-to-floor height of 11 feet 4 inch, a run of 13 feet 6 inches, and a desired riser height of 7-1/2 inches (default): KEYSTROKE DISPLAY

A in the display means the calculated riser height or tread width is greater than the stored desired riser height or tread width.

STAIRS — GIVEN ONLY THE FLOOR-TO-FLOOR RISE; ENTERING OTHER THAN 7-1/2 INCH

Desired Riser Height
Calculate the stair dimensions if the floor-to-floor rise is 9 feet 11 inches, and the desired riser height is 7 inches

Note: run is calculated based on tread values, as it was not entered. The total run of a stairway is equal to the width of each tread multiplied by the number of treads.

Appendix

DEFAULT SETTINGS
Perform a Clear All (Conv x), to return the calculator to the following default settings

If you replace the calculator’s batteries or perform a Full Reset* (press Off, hold down x, and Press On/C ), the calculator will return to the following settings (in addition to those listed above):

Pressing a small device (such as the end of a paperclip) into the Reset hole located above the Pitch key will also perform a Full Reset.

SETTING CUSTOM FRACTIONAL RESOLUTION
Convert entered or calculated fractions to units other than the calculator default of 1/16th. Fractional resolution of 1/16th is permanently set in the default settings. See Default Settings for more information.
Add 36/64th to 1/64th and then convert the answer to other fractional resolutions:

Note: This is a temporary setting that does not affect the Permanent Fractional Resolution Setting. Press On/C to return the calculator to the permanently set fractional resolution.

DISPLAY CAPACITY AND ERRORS
Accuracy/Display Capacity — The calculator has a twelve-digit display made up of eight digits (normal display) and four fractional digits. You may enter or calculate values up
to 19,999,999.99. Each calculation is carried out internally to twelve digits. Most material calculations will result in an answer rounded up two places. Press the = key to see the non-rounded value.

Errors — When an incorrect entry is made, or the answer is beyond the range of the calculator, it will display an error. To clear an error condition, press the On/C button once. At this point, you must determine what caused the error and re-key the problem.

Error Codes

Auto-Range — If an “overflow” is created because of an input and calculation with small units that are out of the standard seven-digit range of the display, the answer will be automatically expressed in the next larger units (instead of showing “OFLO”) — e.g., 20,000,000 mm is shown as 20,000 m. Also applies to inches, feet and yards.

AUTO-SHUT OFF
Your calculator will shut itself off after about 8 to 12 minutes of inactivity.

BATTERY
This model uses one CR2032 battery (included). Should the calculator display become very dim, does not power on or remain on, replace the battery.
Note: Please use caution when disposing of old batteries, as it contains hazardous chemicals.

REPLACING THE BATTERY
While the calculator is off, turn the calculator over to remove the battery holder near the top center of the unit. Remove the old battery and slide a new battery into the holder. The positive side of the battery should be facing you as you insert the battery into the calculator. Replace the battery holder and power on the calculator.

RESET
If the calculator should ever “lock up,” perform a Reset by pressing a small device (such as the end of a paper clip) into the small hole located above the Pitch key. This will perform a total reset of the calculator.

Area and Volume

AREA

SURFACE AREA AND VOLUME

PRODUCT WARRANTY

Johnson Level & Tool offers a one-year limited warranty on this product. You can obtain a copy of this warranty on our website or by contacting our customer service department. The limited warranty contains various limitations and exclusions.

• Email: service@johnsonlevel.com
• Tel: 888-953-8357
• Online: www.johnsonlevel.com

PRODUCT REGISTRATION
Please register your product within 30 days of purchase. Registering ensures we have your information on file for warranty service even if you lose your receipt, and lets us contact you if there is ever a product recall. We will never sell your information and will only send you marketing information if you opt-in.

To register, scan or click: www.johnsonlevel.com/register

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