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?]
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19 Responses to The Squangle: Yet Another Measuring Multi-Tool
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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!
the main thing is, is it actually square? for the price, i’d say its doubtful, and that throws off all the other measurements.
Yes, it’s square. These have been around for 50 years or better, it’s nothing new.
Where’s the laser?
Benjamen, does it meet your gotta-have-it criteria?
@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.)
@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.
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.
I have had a squangle for several years and it has not messed up on squares or been off at all.
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.
I’ve had one about twenty years at least. Maybe 25. It ain’t bad.
From the people who brought you the Squagel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ecVERmxa70
can someone help me find the origanol i will pay top dollar for one that is mint made of all aluminum and has the level !!! also caqn you help me find a metal i think its aluminum made and it was the holster holding it to the tool belt .please belp me find this wonderful tool really if you have one i will buy it from you .troy
Squangles have been around for a long time. I know he had one in 1970 and may have had it before then.
I use one bought by my dad in 1965. It’s better for precision cabinetry than basic framing – the measurements are much more precise than a basic speed square. Currently using it to set 6degree angle cuts at the table saw on one end of a set of planks, then will use it to notch the other end of the planks also at 6degrees. The cuts line up perfectly every time.
can any one put up the instructions. thanks mack
I had a squangle, inherited from my Dad, lost it in hurricane Katrina. An awesome tool to have, very handy for a variety of work. I am now retired and doing home projects and decide to search for a good replacement.
A great accurate tool for a very long time, back when exterior walls were 3 1/2″. Loved the bird’s mouth feature for common rafters. Still waiting for the “Son of Squangle”, the one that will take into consideration that exterior walls are now 5 1/2″, and the new design should allow for a 5 1/2″ bird’s mouth. I’ll keep waiting…..
This thing has been around since before I was born. My dad had one he inherited from his dad… I’m 70. I’m scouring the Internet looking for instructions. This is definitely a tool for a heavy duty framer. Not for a home handyman, like me. “Directions” on back read:
RISE RAFT. PER FT. RUN
LENGTH C.R. PER FT. RUN
[FIGS. 1’0•7 READS
1’0″7/12]
HIP-VAL. RAFT. PER FT. RUN
DIFF. IN LENGTH-JACKS-24″ON CEN.
yeah… And me, I barely know what pitch is.