Replies

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Nov 07, 2010 09:58am | #1

   Squares

   I have several small squares ranging from all-steel engineers squares to combo squares to the standard rosewood/metal try squares.  I find the one I reach for most is a 4" double square that I got from Lee Valley several years ago. The same type of square is available from Woodcraft and other suppliers. It fits nicely in an apron pocket, its useful for measuring, marking and layout and it is more than accurate enough for anything I'll ever do while woodworking.

   http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=44279&cat=1,42936,42945,44279

   Regards,

   Ron

1. 
   jyang949 | Nov 07, 2010 02:31pm | #7

   How to make the engraving stand out?

   I bought a used 6" combination square, but that may have been a mistake. One side has a lot of fine scratches parallel to the engraved lines, so it's hard for me to tell them apart. 

   Also, the numbers don't stand out enough. What do you use to re-black the engraving?

   Janet

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Nov 07, 2010 02:39pm | #8

   Engraving

   I've never thought about doing this but the first thing that popped into my mind was black shoe polish. Rub it into the surface, let it dry and then remove the excess wax. If it doesn't work, just clean the rule with turpentine and move on to the next idea. I'm sure you will get severeal more reasoned than this one!

   Ron

2. 
   mvflaim | Nov 07, 2010 10:00am | #2

   I just bought a Nobex and must say it's pretty nice. They collapse flat for easy storage and have eight positive positioning stops for accurate layout. Here's a link  http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9950&filter=nobex

   Apparently they make three different sizes but Rockler only carries the 6". I bought the 12" version off ebay for $25.00

   Mike

3. 
   mvflaim | Nov 07, 2010 10:05am | #3

   double post

   can't delete ... ????

4. 
   woodhouse94 | Nov 07, 2010 10:07am | #4

   i have the incra tiny t and i love it its very accurate and small its a total of like 4 inches and the fence is  ajustable. just get a few .5mm mechanical pencil because the marking holes are tiny heres a link.

    http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2000443/2000443.aspx

    chris

5. 
   woodhouse94 | Nov 07, 2010 10:10am | #5

   link wouldnt work

   if u want to see it go to woodcraft and type in tiny t-rule in the search bar and it should be the only thing to come up

6. 
   bduffin104 | Nov 07, 2010 10:53am | #6

   small tri-quare

   I carry a 6" x 3/4" tri-square in my pouch, both at the jobsite and in the shop. This is the most handy and useful size for me and fits easily into the pouch. I have larger ones in my tools box when needed. I also sometimes carry a speed square in my pouch, depends on what I'm doing.

   Working at jobsites as a finish carpenter or cabinet installer, I wear a single pouch. It usually contains: small tri square, tape measure, three or four sharpened pencils, razor knife, nail set, side cutters, phillips screw driver and maybe a hammer in the loop if I'm not kneeling down. Sometimes I've got my cordless drill/driver hooked to my belt. I'm carefull not to have too much stuff hanging off of me, don't want to scratch the work.

   Bret

7. 
   bones | Nov 07, 2010 02:48pm | #9

   I guess for me it depends

   I have a 3 piece engineers squares set from woodcraft that I really like.  If I'm preparing rough lumber I like the small engineers square to do a quick check off the jointer.  If I'm checking the inside of drawers I like the larger square in the set.  I recently purchased a pinical larger square for doing larger boards etc .   I recently purchased a larger square from penacle at woodcraft thats made real well.  And finally I have a starrett framing square for looking at larger panels any ply.  

   http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/0/18896/Pinnacle-Precision-Square.aspx

   The one Use the most is that little one from the 3 piece set from woodcraft.  It fits so nicely in the pocket. 

8. 
   birchwoodguy | Nov 07, 2010 10:00pm | #10

   Janet,

   I think every well equipped shop needs at least three (maybe four) sizes of squares.  As many of the posters have already said, the smallest (4-5inches) are the most often used.  I have a 4 inch sliding combination square that is Always in my shop apron right hand pocket.  But there are times where a larger 6-8 inch square is needed ( think checking inside a drawer before the glue sets) I keep this in the top drawer of my workbench, and an even larger 12-inch square for marking out plywood -this one hangs on the wall.  I also have a good quality carpenters framing square (16"x24") for larger layout of sheet goods, and it really sees very little service compared to the smaller squares - I think it is stored near the saw-hourses.  I even have a large tee-square (24"x48") that I thought I would use for marking large sheets of plywood - it hangs high on the back wall of the shop mostly collecting dust.

   If your starting out, buy the smallest one first, then go bigger later.  The smallest squares are the most used.

   Robert

1. 
   jyang949 | Nov 09, 2010 12:31pm | #13

   Are the squares that don't have moving parts more accurate than the adjustable ones?

   Janet

1. 
   Eef | Nov 09, 2010 03:26pm | #14

   hi janet,

   that's a question i've often pondered.  i tend to trust a fixed square over a sliding combo.  the mitoyo combination square, in my shop,  is as fine a tool as can be, but i reach for a fixed square, over it also.  i am also more nervous about banging into things or dropping my combos.  it just seems that the more moving parts a thing has, the more that can go awry.

   eef

9. 
   swenson | Nov 08, 2010 02:23am | #11

   these are the four I use the most with the little one being my favorite in my pocket choice for quick checks.

   
1. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Nov 09, 2010 08:41am | #12

   Just an old stand-by

   I use just an old Stanley, for the smaller jobs.    A picture of this small guy:

   Name on the square is Stanley Handyman,  just under 6" long.  

   
10. 
    Routerman | Nov 09, 2010 11:06pm | #15

    A hybrid ( http://patwarner.com/try_square.html ), mostly transparent, can be used for setup & scribe.