Choosing the Right Carpentry Square for Your Needs
Carpentry squares, also known as try squares or T-squares, are essential measuring and marking tools for various woodworking applications. With the many types and sizes of squares available, it's important to select the right one for your intended purpose.
Types of Carpentry Squares
The most common types include:
- Framing squares - Used for 90 degree marking and measuring. Graduated scales make them ideal for calculating rafter and stair lengths.
- Combination squares - Smaller and lighter for general measuring. The head slides along the ruler for marking, depth, and step measurements.
- Speed squares - Compact right triangles used one-handed for quick layout marks. Handy for rafter cuts.
Common Uses
Typical carpentry square uses:
- Marking straight lines and right angles for cuts
- Measuring and marking board length and depth
- Checking for square on framing and furniture
- Simple layout and framing calculations
Important Features
| Feature | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Size | Bigger for framing, smaller for precision. Look for 6"-12" blades. |
| Graduations | Framer's inch, board foot calibrations. Speed squares in fractions. |
| Materials | Aluminum best for durability and accuracy over time. |
| Edge and Point | Precisely machined for flush marking along edges. |
Construction vs Combination
Construction squares like framers are ideal for structural layouts and materials breakdown. Combination squares are more precise for detailed joinery and furniture building.
Buying Tips
- Buy from reputable brands like Swanson and Empire for quality.
- Opt for graduations and size to suit your purpose.
- Check reviews of specific models for pros/cons.
- Ensure good lockup and fit with no wiggle along the blade.
- Buy factory calibrated rather than trying to calibrate yourself.
Taking the time to evaluate your needs and workspace requirements will ensure you select the best carpentry square for the job.
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Types of Carpentry Squares
Carpentry squares are essential right-angle measuring and marking tools used across many woodworking applications. The most common types of carpentry squares include:
Framing Square
The framing square, also called a carpenter's square or rafter square, consists of two arms at a 90 degree angle. Typical sizes range from 12" - 24" arms. The wider arm features common board size graduations like inches, board feet and fractions. The thinner arm includes markings for stair stringer and rafter layouts. Key features:
- Ideal for structural framing layouts
- Larger size for spanning wider workpieces
- Graduations allow detailed cuts and calculations
- Durable aluminum construction
Combination Square
Combination squares have a ruler body and a removable head piece. The head slides along a channel in the ruler to enable precise depth, step and layout marks. Key features:
- Compact size 6"-12" for portability
- Precise measurements down to 1/8" and 1/16"
- Head can be removed to use ruler alone
- Machined edges provide flush straight marking
Speed Square
Speed squares are small right triangle squares that clip on materials for one-handed use. Typical sizes range from 5"-7". Key features:
- Lightweight and extremely portable
- Ideal for repetitive cuts like rafter and stair stringer layouts
- Graduated with common fractions
- Some include framing references
Try Square
The try square has a long handle with a small square head attached at a right angle. Try squares provide precision marking for detailed joinery. Key features:
- Cast iron or machined steel construction
- Precise 90 or 45 degree head
- Ideal for checking trueness of cuts
- Small size for maneuvering in tight spots
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Table Saw Square
Table saw squares hook onto the edge of table saws to align the rip fence parallel to the blade. Key features:
- Set blade-to-fence accuracy at 90 or 45 degrees
- One-time setup improves entire workflow
- Reduce tearout and burning
- Essential for accurate keyed dados and rabbets
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Engineer's Square
Engineer's squares have wider blades with graduations in decimal inches rather than fractions. The precisely divided scales allow for very accurate measurements. Key features:
- Blades are 4" - 12" with finer calibrations
- Enable more precise marking and measurement
- Ideal for metalworking and machining
- More expensive but higher accuracy
Understanding the capabilities and best uses for each type of carpenter's square allows woodworkers to select the right tool for their measuring and layout needs.
Common Uses for Carpentry Squares
Carpentry squares are hugely versatile tools that serve many critical measuring and marking functions. Here are some of the most common uses for carpentry squares:
Marking and Cutting Boards
A primary use is marking lines and checking perpendicularity for cutting boards and sheet goods:
- Mark square cutting lines for crosscutting boards
- Check edges for square before joining two boards
- Ensure miter cuts are square by aligning to blade
- Lay out joinery cuts like dados, rabbets, and grooves
Framing Walls, Roofs, and Stairs
Carpentry squares are indispensable for framing applications:
- Lay out and mark rafter locations and angles
- Calculate rise, run, and stair geometry
- Check corners for squareness when assembling framing
- Ensure floor joists are perpendicular to sills and plates
Cabinetmaking
Precise cabinetry relies on carpentry squares for:
- Marking cabinet face frame joinery and miter cuts
- Checking drawer boxes for square
- Aligning doors and drawer fronts
- Measuring and fitting shelving
Furniture Building
Squares allow accurate furniture joinery such as:
- Cutting precise tenons and mortises
- Marking rabbets and dados for shelving and drawers
- Checking tabletops and legs for square alignment
- Ensuring mitered corners are cut at precise 90 or 45 degrees
Squares for Jigs
Carpentry squares help build jigs and fixtures:
- Build table saw crosscut sleds square to the blade
- Align router trammel points for turning circular parts
- Set up miter gauges and stops at 90 or 45 degrees
- Create setup blocks and marking gauges
| Square Type | Common Uses |
|---|---|
| Framing | Rafter, stair, and framing layouts |
| Combination | Precise measurements and marking |
| Speed | Quick repetitive framing tasks |
| Try | Checking trueness of cuts |
With the variety of carpentry squares available, woodworkers can choose the right tools tailored to their common needs and uses.
Important Features to Consider When Buying a Carpentry Square
With many types and brands of carpentry squares available, it's important to evaluate the right features for your intended uses. Here are key considerations when choosing a carpentry square:
Size
Common blade lengths include:
- 6" - 12" combination and speed squares for portability
- 12” framing squares for wider materials
- 4" - 8" try squares for detailed work
Choose larger squares for framing and smaller for precision joinery. Make sure the square spans the width of your workpieces.
Gradations
Look for markings suited to your projects:
- Framer’s inches on framing squares
- Precise 1/8” and 1/16” on combination squares
- Common fractions on speed squares
Framing squares allow detailed rafter and stair calculations. Combination squares enable highest precision marking.
Materials
Common options:
- Aluminum - Lightweight but durable and dimensionally stable.
- Steel - Heavier but very rigid. Can rust if uncoated.
- Wood - Easier to damage but naturally stable.
Aluminum provides the best durability and accuracy over years of use.
Adjustability
Locking mechanism should keep square tight with no wobble or shifting to maintain accuracy.
Machined Edges
Precisely machined edges enable flush marking along straightedges and around corners.
Protractor/Inclinometer
Some combination and framing squares include protractors or tilt gauges for angle marking beyond 90 degrees.
By evaluating these key features against your needs and budget, you can select the ideal carpentry square for your projects and workspace.
Construction vs Combination Squares
When choosing a carpentry square, two of the most common types are construction squares and combination squares. Understanding the key differences will help select the right one for your needs.
Construction Squares
Construction squares, also called framing squares or rafter squares, are larger tools designed for layout and framing tasks. Key features:
- Typically 12" and 24" sizes
- Thicker blades for spanning large workpieces
- Graduations for calculations and marking
- Great for structural framing and layouts
Combination Squares
Combination squares are more compact tools optimized for precision measurements. Key features:
- Smaller 6" - 12" sizes for portability
- Removable head allows ruler-only use
- Fine 1/8" and 1/16" graduations
- Ideal for joinery, furniture, and cabinetry
Direct Comparison
| Feature | Construction Square | Combination Square |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 12" - 24" typically | 6" - 12" typically |
| Graduations | Framer's inches, board feet measures | Precise down to 1/16" |
| Use Cases | Framing walls, roofs, stairs | Joinery, furniture, cabinets |
| Accuracy | ± 1/8" acceptable | Extreme precision to 1/64" |
Choosing Between the Two
Construction squares are ideal for rough framing work where slightly less precision is tolerable. Combination squares offer extreme accuracy for fine woodworking and craftsmanship.
Consider your typical uses and accuracy needs. Framing carpenters will benefit most from construction squares like rafter squares. Furniture makers require the precision of combination squares.
Serious woodworkers may want to invest in both types to cover a range of measuring and marking tasks.
Material Options for Carpentry Squares
Carpentry squares are available constructed from various materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Aluminum
Squares made from aluminum offer:
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- High strength and durability
- Corrosion resistant
- Dimensionally stable over years of use
Aluminum is the preferred material for most modern high-quality carpentry squares due to its longevity and accuracy.
Steel
Steel squares provide:
- Very high rigidity and little flexing
- Can be heavy for extended use
- Prone to rusting if uncoated
- Low cost alternative to aluminum
Steel offers budget-friendly pricing but lacks the corrosion resistance and light weight of aluminum.
Wood
Wooden squares have benefits like:
- Traditional look and feel
- Warps and swells over time
- Easily damaged from impacts
- Difficult to precisely calibrate
Wood is less common today due to issues with stability and durability. Plastic resin or acrylic squares share similar downsides.
Comparison Table
| Material | Weight | Durability | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Light | Excellent | Excellent |
| Steel | Heavy | Good | Good |
| Wood | Medium | Poor | Poor |
For professional-grade carpentry squares, aluminum provides the best strength, stability and longevity over years of heavy use.
Buying Tips and Recommendations for Carpentry Squares
With many carpentry square options on the market, here are some helpful buying tips and recommendations:
Choose a Trusted Brand
Look for well-known manufacturers like:
- Swanson - The gold standard for aluminum squares
- Empire - Known for durability and accuracy
- Johnson Level - Budget-friendly quality
- Starrett - Precision machinist squares
Lesser known brands can lack the quality control and construction tolerances of reputable suppliers.
Consider Usage and Size
Match the size and features to your needs:
- Framing squares for construction and layout
- Combination squares for precision work
- Compact size for portability
- Larger size to span wide workpieces
Check for Rigid Lockup
Ensure the square holds its setting tightly with no wobble or shifting in the joint.
Vet Customer Reviews
Look for buyer feedback on accuracy, durability, and ease of use for models you're considering.
Buy Factory Calibrated
Select squares calibrated to tolerances of 0.001" - 0.005" rather than trying to calibrate yourself.
Understand Graduations
Look for markings applicable to your use like stair gauges or precision 1/64" increments.
Comparison Shop Prices
While squareness is critical, decent budget-friendly options exist under $50.
Consider Two Squares
A framing square and combination square best cover both construction and precision needs.
Accessories
Add-ons like cases, levels, and extensions enhance utility.
Warranty Coverage
Expect a 1 year manufacturer warranty at minimum for defects and workmanship.
By keeping these tips in mind while shopping, you can select high quality carpentry squares well-suited to your needs and budget.
Purchasing Carpentry Squares with an Amazon Prime Subscription
An Amazon Prime subscription provides users with benefits like free 2-day shipping on eligible purchases. This can be useful when buying carpentry squares and other hardware for woodworking projects.
Here are some tips for leveraging Amazon Prime when shopping for carpentry squares:
Compare Prices
Use Amazon's price comparison tools to research and find the best deal on the specific carpentry squares you need. Prime's free shipping makes price the focus rather than added delivery fees.
Search Customer Reviews
Read detailed customer reviews and ratings to vet the quality and accuracy of different square brands and models before purchasing.
Access Wide Selection
Amazon offers a very wide range of carpentry square options. Easily browse and choose from framing squares, combination squares, aluminum or steel models, and top brands.
Efficiency at Scale
Order multiple squares or whole sets efficiently in one transaction to equip your workshop. Free Prime shipping applies.
Overall, an Amazon Prime subscription can provide helpful benefits and convenience for routinely purchasing carpentry squares and other woodworking supplies.
What Are The Different Types Of Carpentry Squares Available In The Market??
There are several types of carpentry squares available in the market. Here are some of the most common ones:
What Are The Differences Between A Framing Square And A Speed Square??
The framing square and speed square are two types of carpentry squares that are commonly used in woodworking. While both squares are used for measuring and marking angles, there are some key differences between them. Here are some of the main differences:
Framing Square:
Speed Square:
Overall, the framing square is better suited for larger carpentry projects, while the speed square is more versatile and portable, making it a good choice for smaller projects and DIY work.
