Why Use A Speed Square?
By Chuck Cage
After posting today’s Hot or Not regarding speed squares, it occured to me that some of you who don’t already use them might wonder what all the hubbub’s about. I found a nice, short article by our friends over at This Old House that neatly sums up how useful this measuring tool is and how it’s used.
How I Learned To Love The Speed Square [This Old House]
June 7th, 2007 at 11:09 am
I’m glad he included the tip on using one for crosscuts with a circular saw. It’s about the quickest way to cut a board to size accurately right where you need it.
June 7th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I use mone constantly for miter saw cuts. It makes a nice straight line every time and you don’t have to adjust it like you would with a combination square. You can also beat the living crap out of it and it will still be dead on (and I tend to do this to a lot of my layout tools(. Besides a tape measure, it is by far the most important layout tool I have.
June 7th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
They are great for accurate electrical conduit bends where multiple conduit runs are parallel and right next to each other.
June 9th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
There is one reason Occidental has a pocket for the speed square in their tool bags:
It’s a necessary tool for modern frame construction.
I can’t imagine a carpenter wondering what that funny triangular pocket in the left bag of his new oxi’s was for… he’s been carrying the square for years.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Ok, I’m convinced. I’m putting this on my tool wishlist.