Just like all the parts of this project to date, I never installed roof shingles. This part of the project is a great DIY job. How hard could laying down shingles be? The hardest part of this job was getting the bundles of shingles on to the roof. This is in no way a slight to all the hard-working roofers. After finishing this job, I appreciated your craft even more.
I rolled out the felt paper starting at the bottom of the roof and stapled it down. I used the lines on the paper to get the proper overlap. However, I would not use the lines on the paper to line up the shingles. I would use a chalk line as I went from row to row. Because I needed instant satisfaction, I started installing the 3-tab asphalt shingles after I just stapled down three rows of felt paper. As I moved up the roof, my decision to wear shorts was not a good one. My knees were sore from the rough surface of the shingles plus the roof was heating up as the sun beat down on it.
Getting the shingles to line up on all four sides of the hip roof was futile. My desire to complete any project as soon as possible, results in increased carelessness the longer the project takes. The shingle rows were not terribly misaligned, and most people would not notice, (except my Dad).
After several weeks, I was finally nailing down the ridge and hip cap shingles. The roof was done. From the ground the shingles look good. Time to finish up this project.