(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best carpentry squares

Honestly there's no easy answer to this question. Realisticly all of the squares you have mentioned as well as the square's /u/47Delta1460 mentioned all have different purposes and all of them have their limitations. Now having done woodworking for quite a few years (15+) at this point I would like to recommend owning the following 3 squares.

8 Inch X 12 Inch Steel Carpenter'S Square $7 Pic Link

I haven't used my 16x24 Inch Steel Carpenter'S Square since I got this one which is why it's not on the list.

Empire Level E2994 7-Inch High Definition Rafter Square $16 Pic Link

I like this speed square for three reasons, one it's aluminum and doesn't have the molded in measurement marks so you get a crisp pencil line. Two it doesn't have the notch at the 90º corner you see on most speed squares which allows you to wrap a line around an edge easily. Third you can easily drill a couple of holes at measurements you use often so you can scribe quickly yet accurately if you need to.

The final square I recommend is a combination square Link which can be purchased for $15 - $20 unless you get a fancy one which is honestly overkill in most situations.

Now the reason I haven't made a specific recommendation here is because combination squares come in a couple of different sizes and the size you choose will depend on the types of projects you build. For me personally I own a 6 inch and a 12 inch. the 6 inch square is what I use when checking my table saw for alignment as well as for most projects. The 12" combination square is something I grab most often for marking 45º cuts and it's nice to have a 12" straight edge around.


The short of this is you can get all 3 of these squares and be pretty well set for most things for around $40, which I have to say is quite reasonable.

Stay away from pallets please, cough up some money and some time (if you go to a box store) getting some okay dimensional lumber for projects.

If you decide to go the hand tool route, I've got all sorts of info and what not, I'd share. (Im a historical furniture maker's apprentice, I like to think I've got some decent knowledge) I've included a list here if thats the route you go.

Used this list for a couple posts, its about $200ish in all to get you started. This list uses chisels in lieu of say a router plane for dados and doesn't have an option for grooves but that's later down the road. I've got a big enthusiast list as well if you'd be interested.

> Crosscut/Ripsaw: Irwin Double Sided Pullsaw https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-Tools-Double-Edge-9-5-Inch-213103/dp/B0001GLEZ8
> Joinery Saw - I think this is the one Japanese saw I own? works okay https://www.amazon.com/Z-saw-Dozuki-Z-Saw/dp/B001DSY7G6/ref=pd_sbs_469_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001DSY7G6&pd_rd_r=RBVEGF6TKKCZHVCH7WSH&pd_rd_w=16INj&pd_rd_wg=gFI50&psc=1&refRID=RBVEGF6TKKCZHVCH7WSH
> Chisels https://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Woodworking-Chisels-863010/dp/B00GPC74ZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499302108&sr=1-1&keywords=narex+chisels
> Marking Gauge https://www.amazon.com/Crown-135-Marking-Gauge-Beech/dp/B00EC9AOZQ/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_469_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZBYMV8TF850C6M5JDGDG
> Bevel Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XC2NYKS?psc=1
> Mallet - I'd personally make one or buy a used one (of heavier wood, good grain and quality construction.) Amazon has some though. https://www.amazon.com/Narex-gram-Beech-Carving-Mallet/dp/B00L7BQL54/ref=sr_1_11?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499302341&sr=1-11&keywords=mallet
> Combination square -does the work of several sizes of squares for the price of one - https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-Combination-Square-Metal-Body-1794469/dp/B005XUHIBG/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499302407&sr=1-2&keywords=square
> A No 4 or 5 sized plane - I buy old Stanley's/Bailey's because they're great, and usually cheap for bench planes - Flea Market/Antique stores/ebay -$20 ish --- Amazon also sells new (I give no guarantee on quality however) - https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-12-404-Adjustable-2-Inch-Cutter/dp/B000FK3WI2/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499302507&sr=1-1&keywords=stanley+plane
> "Workbench" - temporary thing to hold pieces while you make dovetails - https://www.amazon.com/WM125-Workmate-350-Pound-Capacity-Portable/dp/B000077CQ0/ref=pd_cart_vw_2_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CA9X21QD5D7QAXKMGE6S
> Woodscrew clamp, used to clamp peice to workbench while chiseling waste - https://www.amazon.com/ATE-Pro-USA-30143-Handscrew/dp/B0006A4A5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499303583&sr=8-1&keywords=wood+screw+clamp
>
> Other than clamps, glue, mortice gauge, etc, this is good enough to get you started making carcass (dovetailed) pieces of furniture, like a shoe cubby or bookshelf.
>
> Thats around $200 for getting you started. Add a mortise chisel and mortise gauge and you can start mortise and tenon work. Invest in pipe clamps when you reach a glue up point.

A lot of people like the double edge japanese saws on Amazon (the Ryoba ones). I have one and it works well, but I also have a table saw, circular saws and a band saw, hackzall.. etc.. so it doesn't get used often.

I'd recommend getting a decent #4 hand planer.. but not the cheap stanley one that makes you mess with two knobs to adjust the cut depth (it's hard to keep straight).

Little machinist square helps make sure blades are square to tables (also that corners are square) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005W0W34O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also worthwhile to pick up a cheap kanna block plane, they work well for chamfering corners: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071CF33BG

Pick up a good dual-grit sharpening stone for your chisels, and preferably a chisel bevel guide. You don't need expensive chisels to have them work well (they will hold an edge better though). Being sharpened well is the most important thing. Finish off your sharpening jobs with light strokes on a leather strop with some polishing compound.

I'm not really "experienced," but I've made a couple. As far as I know, the best way to figure out how much foamcore you'll need is to plan out your insert before you start. Draw out all the pieces (with measurements), then figure out how they'll be laid out on the size of foamcore you can get, then add some extra in case you screw up (which, if you're anything like me, you will... several times).

As for tools - a utility knife with replaceable blades (and a whole lot of replacement blades), a self-healing cutting mat, an adjustable square, a metal ruler, some good glue, and something to help hold everything together (pins and/or ratchet clamps) are all good things to have on hand.

Doing drywall doesn't take a lot of specialized equipment. There are tons of videos on youtube. I don't have one that's better than another, maybe someone else will chime in as well. A couple of ladders, a couple of screwguns, a utility knife to cut it. You can get a drywall square, but a straight board will work as well. You'll want a couple of blades- a 6" and a 10-12" should be fine. You can get drywall mud online, but the shipping is crazy. You'll need drywall tape. A jab saw will help to cut out for electrical boxes, etc. Screws would probably be ebtter purchased there also. You'll also want corner bead. A cornering tool is also helpful. You can buy more specialized equipment, but this should cover the essentials, except for the drywall itself. Best wishes to you, stay safe.

For the most part, he's right, he'll want to pick it out. But, everyone could use a nice square.

The best gift you can give him is support and interest when he blathers on about woodworking for several hours a day for the next few years. Maybe you guys can shop for stuff together..he can show off all of his fresh-from-youtube vocabulary, you can show interest in his hobby, and everyone can feel good about the outcome.

not cheap, but this is hands down the best square i have ever used. this one is pretty big, which is great for large case work, but they do make smaller ones as well

Good guide, I have most of these. A lot of it comes down to personal preference too (which isn't a bad thing).

Rather than the T-Rule (which is good, but bulky), I'd say go for a 4"/100mm double square. They can be had for cheaper than that, just first result. Or if you've got the money, go for a Vesper Double Square to get better quality - they feel so much better in hand (sadly I don't own one)

The T-Rule is great, but I find its basically unusable for the majority of layout tasks I have because of its size - its too cumbersome to get into position, and you can't use a marking knife with it.

I would recommend nice measuring tools like ak99615 suggested. Woodpecker makes some great ones, but are expensive, which is why I dont own one, but man would I like one as a gift!

T-square - https://www.amazon.com/Woodpeckers-Precision-Woodworking-Tools-TS-12-2/dp/B001TIZQTM/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1510107859&sr=8-11&keywords=woodpecker+square

Combo right angle square 0 https://www.amazon.com/Woodpeckers-641-851-Precision-Woodworking-Square/dp/B00TRAJ3C0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1510107929&sr=8-6&keywords=woodpecker+square

If he uses a router a lot (to round over board edges) and does not have a table that would also me a good thing. I had one of those small bench top router tables and it sucked. I picked up a taller floor model similar to the one linked. It may not be the top of the line with a fancy and $$$ lift but it does the job and was worth the floor space
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Router-Table-with-Stand/T10432?gclid=CjwKCAiA0IXQBRA2EiwAMODil8QPJfgSmU_PW4BgkjUWu3Ad10vNYMnbFHXtJgcP2r28xmB-irf7LRoCxKIQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

From years of teaching woodworking with Cub Scouts.....

1. Here's the materials for a course I taught on Woodworking with Cub Scouts you might find useful. Plenty of plans and good notes in the class outline we used.
   
   
   
2. Get plastic speed squares, the don't bend when they get dropped or stepped on. 12" are a bit better than 6".
   
   
   
3. The Fiskars drills are really not very useable, we've tried. You may be better off with just a single Ryobi cordless drill.
   
   
   
4. The tack hammer is a bit undersized, consider something like this 12 oz hammer
   
   Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Measure angle with an angle finder, lock it, go to your saw, adjust your saw to the same angle. Measure the length of the piece at the longest point, take a piece to your saw and cut a bit over that length. Try fitting it, if needed go back to the saw, if your angle was a little off dial it in and shave a hair off at a time 'til you got a perfect fit.

Corners are a little harder. Same deal for the angles, cut as close as you can on the miter but don't cut the corner. Jigsaw is pretty shit for making things look pretty but it could work if you take your sweet time, cut a little inside the radius and clean it up by hand. Personally I'd measure the radius angle, get the closest possible hole saw or forstner bit and punch the corner on the drill press.

depends on what diy goals you have in mind. What I find myself using 80+% of the time when I am doing home diy stuff is some combo of the following.....

• Circular saw for breaking down sheet goods
  
• 
  
• Miter saw for breaking down dimensional lumber and trim cuts
  
• 
  
• Hammer
  
• 
  
• pry bars
  
• 
  
• my demo hammer (see below)
  
• 
  
• clamps
  
• 
  
• cordless drill
  
• 
  
• cordless impact driver
  
• 
  
• side cutter pliers
  
• 
  
• 11-in-1 screwdriver (see below)
  
• 
  
• Channel locks
  
• 
  
• Vise grips
  
• 
  
• socket and wrench set
  
• 
  
• putty knife
  
• 
  
• box cutter
  
• 
  
• tape measure
  
• 
  
• multimeter
  
• 
  
• wire strippers
  
• 
  
  don't forget yard work
  
  
  
• pump sprayer
  
• 
  
• seed/fertilizer spreader
  
• 
  
• mower
  
• 
  
• weed trimmer
  
• 
  
• rake
  
  A lot of those above tools stay in a tool bag I carry around, along with stuff like a pencil, markers, drill bit kit, driver kit, zipties and a few other such items.
  
  For basic tools and power tools for the weekend warrior..Harbor Freight is hard to beat.
  
  For good deals on power tools and air tools that are a of better quality...bigskytools.com has great deals on refurbished dewalt, hitachi, bosch and millwaukee tools.
  
  For your stated goals...I would go with a sander, a miter saw, a circular saw, carpenter square, speed square, a 48" level and a 12" level, and some other small tools I mentioned.
  
  Heres a good miter saw. Will handle everything you will need
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-C10FCH2-15-Amp-10-inch-Compound/dp/B000NKB3LW
  
  Bigsky runs frequent deals on nailer/compressor combos should you wind up doing lots of trim. And frequently they will have a good 15 amp circular saw for around $50.
  
  Speed Square
  https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-S0101-7-inch-Square-Layout/dp/B00002255O
  
  Carpenter / Framing Square
  https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Framing-Hi-Contrast-Aluminum-1794447/dp/B005XUHH5S
  
  wood chisel set
  https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-150-Short-3-Piece-Chisel/dp/B00002X1YO
  
  Demo hammer - This hammer is HEAVY but it will chew through just about anything. If you are gonna be doing demo work I strongly suggest getting one...and a big wrecking/demo bar also
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Pulverizer-Concrete-Demolition-Hammer/dp/B002IKM6XO
  
  Heres that 11-in-1 scewdriver. i use this thing 99% of the time I need a manual screwdriver. I bought more just put one in my autos and one at work.
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Electric-Tool-48-22-2114-Screwdriver/dp/B006WTK436
  
  I know I saved it for last...but don't forget safety gear. Glasses, face shield, gloves and if you are going to be doing dusty work or painting then get some breathing protection.
  
  

There is one plane that is more-or-less square, and that's the floor. If one wished to build out a van with insulation, wooden floor, paneled bulkheads, built-in bed, cabinets, countertop, etc., the place to start would be the floor.

Using the finished, plywood floor as a flat surface of reference, one can measure the curved walls by creating a 90° angle with something like a sheetrock square, and using it to plot reference points from that upright to plot the curve of the wall on a cardboard template.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-48-in-Drywall-T-Square-410-48/202035306

https://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-Tool-JTS54HD-Aluminum/dp/B0009WG5OO

We have been modeling the internal structures of vandwelling vehicles loosely upon those of commercially-built RV's. Many commercial RV's are not very durable or very sturdy. We might be better off if we were to look to boat building for construction models rather than the RV industry. Standard height vans are reminiscent of small sailboats in many respects, especially the fact that one cannot stand up erect in them. Bunks, storage compartments, battery boxes and so on are pretty similar in both. Another aspect is that the internal structures are built over electrical conduit chases or pipe chases, and should be built to allow access to the utilities and for maintenance or cleaning.

If you think of wiring your van in terms of wiring a house, where wiring is installed and not disturbed for twenty or thirty years you will have to nearly demolish the interior of your van to get to a problem. Better to wire it in such a way that you have easy access if necessary. Electrical conduit is not necessary, but it might be a very good choice. Same thing with any piping or plumbing that you install. Plan in advance, so that you can disassemble cabinets, etc. in order that you could get to it to work on it.

I own these maybe you’d like them as well!

Shinwa 1.75" / 4.5 cm Solid Brass Stainless Steel Machinist Square 62020 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEB185I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.p2KDbKBQAC8D

Comes in different sizes as well, pretty cheap so I figured I’d share

As someone who's only a few steps further into woodworking than you are, but has done an outrageous amount of research and poured every last spare minute I have into experimenting with projects in my garage over the past two months (no legit furniture projects under my belt yet, but plenty of random shop projects), don't get either of those combo sets. The circular saw and drill are useful, but the rest of the stuff is a waste of money.

Pick up a cheap drill / driver combo (by that I mean a drill that has a chuck that accepts drill bits and driver bits - something like this), some brad-point drill bits, and a cheap circular saw. Then go an aisle over and pick up a long straight-edge and a speed-square. Go a few more aisles over and pick up some wood screws and wood glue. You'll be using the glue more than the screws - in fact, you don't even need the screws - using dowels is more fun and looks nice. If you go with dowels, pick up a cheap flush cut saw and some 80/120/220-grit sandpapers also so you can clean them up. Last, walk a few more aisles over and pick up some 3/4" birch plywood (you can get the sande plywood if you have a tight budget, especially if this is a shop project). Altogether it should be just a hair over $200, if that. Then leave the big-box store and never go back.

That should be enough to put together a few beginner projects. Then, a month later, buy a Saw Stop table saw.

Just kidding about the Saw Stop, but really – you'll outgrow those tools really quick and start needing bigger / more powerful machines. Buy a table saw next (the Ridgid R4512 is a good starting place – price is pretty reasonable, and it's a decent table saw). That opens up a whole new world of possibilities, and soon your wallet will be empty but your garage will be full of toys.

I have some advanced techniques and tools that I have learned over the years.

1. Use a good blade. I swear by an olfa L-2 with heavy duty black blade
   
   
2. For the corners I use the rabbet cutter
   
   
3. To square everything up for cuts and glue nothing is more important than a good set of machinists squares
   
   I hope that helps!

Opinions of assembly squares or positioning squares ?

I tend to make bookcases and other storage pieces of furniture using pocket holes. So clamping things square is really useful.

​

I think I'd like to get some positioning squares. Has anybody used them, and are the plastic ones any good?

Wood Magazine has an article--has anybody had any personal experience?


Rockler has the Clamp-It, but apparently it needs (or works best with) proprietary clamps. Plastic, so...
($13 per square, plus two clamps at $8 each, so...$30 per corner.)



The Jevons clamping squares were on my list, but then I read that they come with burrs that people have to grind off, and that's not something I really want to mess with (I mean, I have a Dremel, but...). I can use my regular clamps instead of specialized ones. And there's a hole you can use if you want to screw the clamp to something.
Aluminum, which might bend. I don't do a ton of heavy clamping, but...
($18 each; $60 for 4)

​

Woodpeckers makes a really tough one--but of course, they're $50 or $60 for two.


Wood River makes similar ones, but they'r emuch less expensive--$30 for 4!


And then there are random brands on Amazon that are plastic.

Duratec is one brand (also sold elsewhere).



Any suggestions, thoughts, personal experience, to share?

Hand saw . $31.66

Dovetail saw / fine saw $26.97

Japanese hand plane $55.35

Chisels $39.99


Combo Square $9.98

stropping compound $12.95

Sharpening Sandpaper $8.99

$185.89 total (excluding taxes). And you still have some left over for some coffee -- you're going to need some b/c learning to sharpen blades/chisels and turning/using a japanese plane is fairly uphill battle for a beginner. But this list is unquestionably your best bang for your buck.

It's part of a combo square.

Example

The knob near the bubble hides a 'scribe' for scratching marks into material. The top knob locks it into it's grooved ruler.

Kit or prebuilt?

If its a kit get a machinist square. Get that frame square from the get go.

One option you might consider is to just buy a combination square and take the ruler out if the square. They tend to be cheaper than standalone rulers for some reason, and the rulers that these use tend to be pretty substantial.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008IT5LO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_H1JTAb90BDS9H

There are a couple made in USA, but the quality doesn't seem as high.

Only downside is the ruler will have a groove down the center of one side.

https://www.amazon.ca/STANLEY-45-912-12-Inch-Square-English/dp/B00002X2HK/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1550617348&sr=8-8&keywords=stanley+carpenter+square

I've used a carpenter's square like this for a while now. Alone for shorter cuts, and as a square guide with a cork backed metal ruler for longer runs. As its a heavy chunk of steel it doesn't slide much.