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WOODWORKING SQUARES
Buying the right one, using it the right way...
There are a number of basic squares that are used in the woodworking
arena. Finding the right one and the right size will go along way to improving your woodworking accuracy.
The most shocking thing for me was finding out that all squares are NOT square.
I spent a day fiddling with the set up of my sliding miter saw to cut a 4x4 posts to length. You'd think that that would be a pretty simple job, but they needed to be exactly square because on 4" of thickness anything off 90 would really be noticeable.
It didn't matter what I did with the tool, whenever I cut and then rotated the wood to test it in the other direction, it came out off square.
I was ready to quite until one of my guys suggested I check my square for "squareness" . Sure enough, that was the issue. Learn from my experience, before you pull your hair out.
ALWAYS when buying or using a new square check a framers square against a combination square or vice versa!!!!!
Basic Try Square:
This is the basic work horse of the woodworking shop, used for
all basic squaring. The blades are metal and the squaring shoulder
is plastic, wood or metal.. it should have a minimum of 3 rivets
to reinforce the corner to assure that in use it stays locked into the right position.
The hole in the end is just to aid in hanging it up on the wall since dropping it in the drawer is NOT the preferred method of storage.. too easy to warp the blade when someone drops something heavy on top, when you're not paying attention. Maybe that is what happened to mine.
They come in different sizes so I prefer to have two.. one about 6" and one about 12". Having a square too big if you are working with small pieces is always a little difficult, and the accuracy of the reading will suffer.
Combination Square:
Made with a metal bar and metal cast slider that is locked in place with a locking screw. It typically but
not always includes a "level ball".
Combinations Square are called that because they also have the ability to set the square at 45°. This is particularly useful is you are making mitered doors.
Many of the old combination squares have a second "metal gauge" with 30 and 60 degree settings.
You loosen the lock nut and slide off the original and slide back on the new one. This is great if you are doing some fancy cutting, as in say making a triangular flag box and need angles other than 90.
Framers Square:
Typically a framers square is 16" long on one edge and 24"
along the other. It is used to mark out rafters and stair treads
with special markings along its length to facilitate this chore.
Given that you can pick them up pretty cheaply these days they're a handy tool to have even in a woodworking shop.
With a full 16" by 24" they are great to check how square larger cabinets are coming together, or just to check to see if your table saw is cutting square BEFORE you even get to the assembly stage.
Framer Squares are Not essential for the average woodworker, just handy.
..and in conclusion:
When thinking of purchasing a basic try square, a combination square or even a framers square, I remind you to check the square for "squareness" before you leave the store. It will save a lot of frustration down the road. Remember it cost me a day of frustration until the brain kicked in and I thought to check my square.
Buy a size that is appropriate to the type of work that you expect to do, not the largest... happy woodoworking..
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