Is there a reason for those studs being turned sideways at the start?

Those studs turned sideways are almost certainly for **drywall backing** or part of a legacy corner assembly like a three-stud corner. Back in the day, before every house was wrapped in OSB or plywood for shear strength, guys used different configurations to ensure there was plenty of wood to nail the lath or drywall into at the corners. If you're seeing a bunch of short blocks or studs at weird angles, it might also be a **let-in brace**. That's where they would notch a diagonal 1x4 into the face of the studs to keep the wall from racking.

The "clustered" look often happens at a **partition tee**, where an interior wall meets an exterior one. If they're turning them sideways, they are creating a channel so you have a surface to screw the drywall into on both the main wall and the intersecting one. If it is an older video, they might be using a built-up corner wich uses three or four studs where two would usually do today. It looks like a lot of extra lumber because it was; before we had high-strength structural sheathing, the internal framing did all the heavy lifting to keep the house from leaning.

And about that tight fit against the top plate—if it is a structural brace, they usually cut a notch so the diagonal member sits flush. It is a pain to do by hand, which is why most people switched to metal T-bracing or just relying on the sheathing for strength. For your garage project, you don't need to overcomplicate it like that. Modern builds usually just use a **California corner**, which is basically two studs nailed togather with a third one turned sideways to provide a nailing edge. It is faster, uses less wood, and leaves more room for insulation. Just stick to your 16-inch on center layout and use standard king and jack studs for your openings. Those old-school techniques are cool to watch for the craftsmanship, but they are mostly overkill now that we have nailguns and engineered sheathing. If you are just building a simple partition, focus on keeping your plates lined up and your studs plumb and you'll be fine.

That explanation of the California corner is a lifesaver! I’m just starting my first big DIY project and every video I watch seems to show somthing diferent. Since we're talking about wierd layouts, has anyone here ever worked with reclaimed wood for structural stuff? I found a bunch of old barn beams and I'm dying to know if I can actualy use those for a workbench base or if they're too unpredictable to cut into. Also, does the type of nail gun you use actually matter for those tight corners, or can I just hammer away like a pro?

I've messed around with old barn beams for a workbench before and you gotta watch out for hidden nails. They'll eat your saw blades for breakfast. As for the framing, if you're just doing a garage wall, don't get too in your head about those wierd layouts. usally, if it's not on center, it's just 'cause someone's beefing up a spot for a heavy cabinet or a wall-mounted tool rack later. Just keep it simple or you'll be out there all night.

Quick update—the mystery is solved! That point about drywall backing and the California corner makes alot of sense now. I was definitly overthinking it for my garage project. Since I don't need anything special, I’ll just stick to the basic 16-inch centers. Glad I asked before I bought a bunch of extra lumber I didn't need. Cheers for clearing that up!