Siding hanger and method of hanging siding

A workpiece hanger for aiding in the installation of workpieces on a base structure, said hanger comprising:

• a first part adapted for removably attaching said hanger to a surface of the base structure;
• a second part adapted for supporting a second workpiece in position for installation on the base structure, wherein, at least a portion of said second part is further adapted to be positioned behind said second workpiece when said second workpiece is placed in position for installation;
• and
• a third part adapted for properly spacing the second workpiece in relation to a previously positioned first workpiece that is already installed on the base structure, wherein
• said first part is further adapted for being positioned behind the second workpiece during installation of the second workpiece.

A workpiece hanger comprising:

• a first part forming a hole for removably attaching said hanger to a structure using a fastener;
• a second part connected to said first part and forming a saddle for supporting a second workpiece in position for installation on the structure;
• a third part adapted for properly spacing the workpiece in relation to a previously positioned first workpiece that is already installed on the structure, wherein said third part has a lip for contacting an edge of the first workpiece and a handle;
• and
• a hinge for connecting said third part to said second part, wherein said hanger is adapted such that:
• said lip of said third part contacts the edge of the first workpiece when said third part is placed in a first position, and
• said second part is adapted to hold at least a portion of the weight of the second workpiece during installation of the second workpiece when said third part is placed in a second position;
• and wherein
• said handle is used for removing said hanger after said first part has been unattached to the structure.

A method of attaching a workpiece to a structure, said method comprising the steps of:

• installing a first workpiece on the structure;
• using the first workpiece for positioning a hanger at a location on the structure when the hanger is in a first configuration having a part for contacting an edge of the first workpiece to establish the position of said hanger on the structure for setting a proper position for placing a second workpiece;
• attaching the hanger to the structure;
• placing the hanger in a second configuration for removing said part from contacting the edge of the first workpiece;
• while the hanger is in the second configuration, placing the second workpiece in the hanger, wherein the hanger holds at least a portion of the weight of the second workpiece and wherein the hanger holds the second workpiece in the proper position for installation;
• at least partially installing the second workpiece;
• and
• detaching the hanger from the structure, wherein the hanger can be reused.

A workpiece hanger for installing siding panels on a base structure, said hanger comprising:

• a hanger strap adapted for removably attaching said hanger to a surface of the base structure;
• a keeper having a saddle and adapted for supporting a second siding panel in position for installation on the base structure, wherein
• said hanger strap is adapted to be positioned between the second siding panel and the base structure when the second siding panel is placed in position for installation;
• and
• a lap gauge having a lip and adapted for properly spacing the second siding panel in relation to a previously positioned first siding panel that is already installed on the base structure, wherein
• said lap gauge is adapted to be placed in a first position placing said lip in contact with an edge of the first siding panel to set the desired spacing, and also adapted to be placed a second position removing said lip from said contact with the edge of the first siding panel for placing said hanger in a state for installing said second siding panel.