Review: Woodpeckers In-Dexable Square System
Review: Woodpeckers In-Dexable Square System
In many of its squares and rules Woodpeckers has included scribing notches that let you drop your pencil into a fixed position to scribe an accurate mark or a full line parallel to an edge. When attempting to integrate this feature into a sliding combo square, the product developers realized they would need to index the rule at regular intervals to make the scribing system work.
That’s just what they did, adding a spring-activated pin that locates the head at every inch mark. Then they created a versatile set of squares based on that system, including a standard head, a double-square head, and a protractor head with a pin system that positions the fence precisely at common angles, with a fine scale for every angle in between.
Various rules fit into each of the heads, and you can buy the components in almost any combination.
While these squares are a bit pricier than Starrett squares, for example, their unique features add considerable value.
Aside from the scribing system, I love the small tab that slides out at the base of the heads, keeping each square level with the edge for easier use.
—Asa Christiana is editor-at-large.
Photos: Asa Christiana
Comments
I like Woodpecker's stuff generally and own several of their measuring tools. But I think their little holes for pencils are not very useful. You need to use a fairly thin mechanical pencil lead, and my experience has been that those leads will generally break quickly on wood unless it's very smooth. Since you're using these for layout on unsanded wood, that's not a solution. Am I missing something? Interested to hear what other's experience has been. Also want to say that traditional Starret squares have a notch at the end of the ruler that allows you to cradle a (thicker) pencil in it and accomplish much the same thing.
I believe that Woodpeckers sells and recommends a .9mm thick pencil lead. I don't own their mechanical pencil and use .7mm HB lead with their squares and don't have problems breaking the lead on unsanded wood whether using a Woodpeckers square with the little holes or my Starrett squares/rules. Hope this helps.
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