Swanson Framing Wizard Layout Tools Review

This is convenient because you can close it and carry it more conveniently. The usual framing square is uncomfortable to wear, but this one isn't. It's well done too. Although I would like a few dollars cheaper.

I would say get a right square. That thing breaks pretty easily. Good idea but bad design. It would be nice if it had a lock to keep us straight instead of constantly pressing on our hands to make sure they don't move.

It's not really a square, after you open and close it a few times you lose the 90 degree angle this tool was supposed to hold all the time. So if you need to be almost right then this is a great tool, but if you need accuracy this isn't cutting edge either.

Does not measure or find external obtuse angles. I thought it would be useful for bringing corners together when making a cabinet. I think it works well for framing, but it's still difficult to maintain a straight angle when tightening the hex set screw.

This is a regular tool, good for spreading joists etc. Just make sure you have a real square as you will need to adjust it with a small socket head screw. on top and the lock nut on the side as it often gets out of square and moves towards you as you draw the outer lines.

I received this product and decided to test/verify some known good angles. He did well on some, not on others. This tool made me question my other known precision measuring tools. Table and miter saws tested for accuracy. All this after checking and pausing this tool at a 45 degree angle. I'll have to check with the frame design in the near future to be sure!

This angle is a GREAT idea, easy to store in your tool box but the screw on the end to adjust the tool to stay straight doesn't keep the tool straight. I put some blue Loctite on the screw and straightened the tool, I didn't check if the screw would stay where I wanted the tool to stay straight. If Stanley simply installed a stopper instead of an adjustment screw, the tool would have stayed straight when you opened the tool 90 degrees.

I thought these tools would be good for marking walls and joists. However, the scale is at least 1/32 front to back, and compared to another scale I checked with calipers, the overall length is a little off 32. On a 12 foot wall, the measurements will vary by more than a quarter of an inch. The square head set screw is very loose and requires constant adjustment and checking to stay square. The angle setting will not be accurate for very long if the aluminum is deformed. They would be more…