The Squangle: Yet Another Measuring Multi-Tool
By Benjamen Johnson
Everybody’s trying to come up with the next gotta-have-it multi-tool like the try-square. Great Neck Saw’s attempt packs 10 measuring tools in one device. The Mayes Squangle is basically a square with an extra adjustable arm that swings from 45° to 90° and locks with two thumbscrews. To increase their tool count, they threw in a bubble vial.
Great Neck Saws wins bonus points by actually listing all ten uses without making us guess and without splitting hairs, unlike some other multi-tools. It can be used as a:
- Square
- Rafter square
- Protractor
- Level
- T-square
- Sight plumb
- Straight edge
- Layout jig
- Pitch finder
- Ruler
While the Squangle may be of dubious utility, at least it won’t cost you a ton of money to give it a try — it runs anywhere from $9 to $14 before shipping. They include an instruction book to make sure you get the most out of your purchase.
Squangle [Great Neck Saw]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
November 20th, 2009 at 9:12 am
i find it hard to believe they could pack all that into one tool! a ruler AND a straight edge??? i find that hard to believe. let alone rafter square, protractor AND pitch finder. yikes, this is one mighty weapon!
November 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
the main thing is, is it actually square? for the price, i’d say its doubtful, and that throws off all the other measurements.
November 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Where’s the laser?
November 20th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Benjamen, does it meet your gotta-have-it criteria?
November 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
@Chad:
To be honest, no, not really, but I liked the name Squangle.
But if I was putting together a go-bag, I might consider it over a try-square. (I’m not a really big fan of try-squares, then again I’ve only ever owned cheap ones.)
November 20th, 2009 at 11:36 am
@aaron:
When companies claim that a lanyard, belt clip, or a carrying case are a tool or function, I’ll take a straight-edge and ruler any day.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Before there were lasers (e.g. Bosch and Dewalt) for squaring tile layouts - we used big 3-4-5 triangles like that made by CH Hason (BTW we still do). As Aaron says - the critical question about such a layout tool is ” is it square ” - and I would add “does it stay square after regular use.” Some of the big triangles out there have a problem with sloppy joints at the folding point - that throw things off.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Hardly a new idea. Picked one up at a sale years ago. I actually use it as much as I do my Swanson speed square. Or, when a carpenter’s square is too big. The thumb screws (although easy to adjust) tend to fall off unless you peen the carriage bolt threads. Definitely home owner quality.
November 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I’ve had one about twenty years at least. Maybe 25. It ain’t bad.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
From the people who brought you the Squagel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ecVERmxa70
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
[...] of multi-tools (e.g., TM 11/20/09), I just saw the Level Best2 in one of those card pack mailers — PRODUCTS FOR WOODWORKERS. [...]