Swanson Tool S0107 12-Inch Speed Square Layout Tool with Blue Book

Product Information

Lip or Fence.The speed square lip allows you to brace it against the side of the board, ensuring you get a firm hold and a straight line. Mark the line. Draw a line from the pivot point across the board to mark the angle. The space between the straight line and the angled line is the degree. Speed squares are vital for carpenters, woodworkers, and DIYers. They are incredibly simple to use and affordable. However, they can come with various features, which can make it challenging to choose the best one for you. Out of all those we reviewed, the Johnson Level & Tool RAS-1 Rafter Angle Square was the best overall. It is accurately crafted, and the numbers are pretty easy to read. Overall, this speed square should serve you well for several years. When you're making a long rip cut, there's little room for error! Thankfully, the speed square can help you draw a super straight line to follow with your saw.Here's how:

Find the scribe line notches. These triangular cutouts are usually located on the inside of the inner triangle, and fit a pencil perfectly. Place your pencil in the notch. Once you've determined the correct measurement, you can place your pencil within the appropriate notch.For anyone who is on a limited project budget, the Hyper Tough Framing Rafter Squareis a solid option that will barely make a dent in your overhead. This speed square can also be used as a protractor and tri-meter. It can find both angle and pitch, as well as squaring up lumber. The embossed markings are fade-proof, and included on both sides, making it convenient for both left- and right-handed use.

One customer called this tool “the baby brother for trim, molding and cabinet work.” Reviewers appreciate that this speed square is of good construction and material, made in the USA, and easy to read in all light conditions. Another customer commented on the variety of roles this square fills, writing that “you can easily mark out angles, use it as a drilling guide, and more.”Align the blade of your saw with the waste side of the line, then slide the speed square up to the bottom plate of the saw. Hold the speed square lip firmly against the board while you slide the saw along the straight edge for a perfect cut! Material.Most speed squares are built from aluminum or durable plastic to withstand drops while staying perfectly square. Whether measuring angles or marking straight lines on dimensional lumber, the speed squareis the tool to get it all done. Also known as a triangle square due to its shape, this tool is an excellent tool for woodworkersand craftspeople, both professionals and hobbyists alike. It plays the role of protractor, saw guide, line scriber, and even precision level. It helps provide accurate measurements and easy rafter seat cuts. So this triangular tool, which is called a square (even though it's not a square shape), can draw circles too? Yup!

You also don’t want the speed square to get rusty or wear down due to the weather. This can warp it and make some of the measurements unreadable. Once again, a rusty square is not going to be very useful. After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to place the speed square in your essential DIY toolbox. Parts of a Speed Square Cut. After you mark the line, you can cut it with any power tool. If it's a 45 degree cut, you can use the speed square as a guide for the base of the saw to keep it moving in a straight line.

My Top Recommended Speed Squares

Even if a speed square is accurate, it isn’t useful if you can’t read the numbers. Because of that, many companies etch the numbers into each square on top of painting them. This makes them easier to read and keeps them readable for a long time. An angled cut, also known as a miter cut, is often used for trim. Any time you're trying to join boards at a corner without showing the end grain, you may need an angled cut.

Reviewers appreciate that this speed square is laser engraved, making the markings durable. One customer wrote “I really like the fine etching on this, as the smaller your measurements are, the more precise your work, and less chances of inaccuracy and problems down the road.” Others like the lightness of the aluminum. Another customer summed up with “I highly recommend this product to all trades in the industry.” The Empire Laser Etched Aluminum Rafter Squarecomes in a bright shade of blue, with high visibility permanent laser engraved markings. The extruded aluminum body is more sturdy than die-cast, and it won’t corrode or rust. The rafter square has convenient conversion tables, and precision scribe notches help guide the pencil when marking. The heel is 15% wider than average for a steady hold on material. Readability:A high visibility speed square is a must for any job. Whether it’s changes in lighting or flipping the square from left to right, it needs to be readable at any time. Look for a rafter angle square with a strong color contrast between the scale and the markings, and markings on both sides of the tool. In particular, laser-etched markings will last the longest. Hammer a small nail into the center of the circle, and place a pencil in the appropriate scribe notch. Rotate the speed square on the nail to draw a curved line! The speed square is like the Swiss Army knife of measurement. There's a lot you can do with one once you know what all those markings are for!We have a 30-plus crew who use combination squares,” one reviewer wrote, “and the Empire E250 is a very good quality tool for the money.” Reviewers comment that this tool is suitable for both fine woodworking and metalworking. It comes highly recommended from customers, including one who wrote that, “if treated with care and respect as it is a precision tool, it will last forever.” Etched markings. On a good quality speed square, all markings are etched into the surface, rather than printed. This ensures that those little lines remain visible and accurate after years of use. In this example, I needed to cut curves on the ends of these cornhole board legs so they can pivot in the corner of the frame. This will allow the legs to collapse for easier storage. According to one customer,“this square is really nice as it is easy to read from any angle.” Many reviewers appreciate the wrapped markings and the contrast in colors, making reading the square clear and simple. Another customer wrote, “I have used every framing square imaginable over the last 30 years. These are now my go to squares and they are holding up very well.”