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The tool is an isosceles right triangle with a ruler on one equal side and a fence on the other. It is marked with the word Pivot at the right angle point and displays Degrees on its hypotenuse, Common and Hip/Val markings on its midsection. One customer called this tool “the baby brother for trim, molding and cabinet work.” Reviewers appreciate that this speed square is of good construction and material, made in the USA, and easy to read in all light conditions. Another customer commented on the variety of roles this square fills, writing that “you can easily mark out angles, use it as a drilling guide, and more.”
Tip – Be sure to use a sharp pencil (not a carpenter’s pencil) for this. Many speed squares feature a sawtooth along the ruler edge which is very helpful. Marking– The most commonly used application of the speed square is as a Try square. The tool has a lipped fence along one right-angled edge that allows you to hold the square firmly against a board. From there, you can easily and accurately scribe a line along the other right-angled edge to create a line that is perfectly perpendicular to the board’s “factory edge.” You can also use it in this mode to scribe 45° angles along the angled edge of the tool ( i.e. the base of the triangle). Here is a list of the top speed squares, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best speed square for your needs. Speed squares come in a variety of sizes and materials, allowing users to choose between a lightweight or heavy duty speed square. No matter what size or material though, the speed square is an essential tool to have in any toolbox.
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The term "speed square" is a genericised trademark based on those owned by Swanson Tool Company [1] [2] which first manufactured and sold the tool. An additional product that complements the speed square is the combination square. The combination square can be used in a variety of ways to make measurements, just like the speed square, and it can also be used to accurately mark a 90-degree or 45-degree angle. To use a combination square, you must place the anvil against the working surface edge, drawing a cutting line until you have reached the anvil. An accurate 90-degree angle should be achieved.
Reviewers appreciate that this speed square is laser engraved, making the markings durable. One customer wrote “I really like the fine etching on this, as the smaller your measurements are, the more precise your work, and less chances of inaccuracy and problems down the road.” Others like the lightness of the aluminum. Another customer summed up with “I highly recommend this product to all trades in the industry.” While you may not use a speed square for roofing, it can be used. This is an excellent article to understand how it works to find the roof pitch. Now let's talk about roof structure and the speed square. This is what a house structure looks like, not to scale, but it gives you the picture. This roof has a 6:12 pitch meaning that every 12" of run, there is 6" of rise. That pitch correlates to the angle of the rafter that hits the ridge. This 6:12 pitch is a 26 1/2° angle. If the pitch was 12:12, the angle would be 45°. Here's how you would line up the speed square to create that angle. The numbers labeled as common are your pitches, so number 1 would be 1:12, 2 is a 2:12.....ours is 6:12, so tilting the speed square until we get to 6, now you have the right angle you can mark and cut. I'm not sure how well I can explain the birdsmouth section in words, so I am going to refer you to the video at the top which this part starts at 17:30.Many of the best speed squares will also have slight recesses, making it easy to set your pencil into when scribing lines. A Speed Square or carpenter’s square is one of the most basic and essential tools in woodworking. It is extremely inexpensive, accurate, and has a wide variety of uses! We have a 30-plus crew who use combination squares,” one reviewer wrote, “and the Empire E250 is a very good quality tool for the money.” Reviewers comment that this tool is suitable for both fine woodworking and metalworking. It comes highly recommended from customers, including one who wrote that, “if treated with care and respect as it is a precision tool, it will last forever.”
A speed square is a hand tool used in woodworking and carpentry projects. Its triangle shape is well suited for marking accurate 90-degree and 45-degree lines. Speed squares are also referred to as carpenter or rafter squares. Regardless of the name, they’re all the same tool. This aluminum speed square is popular among reviewers, with one person writing that it “draws a clean, straight line and with the extra extension up to a foot.” It’s a perfect tool not only for roofing, but for wood laminate floors as well. Instead of flipping the square to match the first line, you can “just fold down the extension” for a single clean line. For anyone who is on a limited project budget, the Hyper Tough Framing Rafter Squareis a solid option that will barely make a dent in your overhead. This speed square can also be used as a protractor and tri-meter. It can find both angle and pitch, as well as squaring up lumber. The embossed markings are fade-proof, and included on both sides, making it convenient for both left- and right-handed use. The most common size of speed square is 7-inches, allowing you to accurately measure cutting lines for a wide range of projects and tasks. However, if you are completing larger projects and tasks containing larger lumber, you may require a 12-inch speed square. ReadabilityOther Cool Features– The Swanson Speed Square has a patented feature — the diamond cut, a diamond-shaped cut-out on the ruler edge of the tool. This is used for squaring on a line scribed across the board so that you can then make a perfect 90° line from your scribed angled to the edge of the board. Before we get into details of how to do all this, let’s get to know the Speed Square and talk about all its uses. Printable version of this article To gain the best performance and use from your speed squares, you must understand what each marking represents and exactly what speed squares are used for. On the first side of speed squares, you will see markings measuring inches, similar to a ruler. On the second side, you will see a raised edge or a lipped fence. Finally, on the third side, which is the longest side of speed squares, you will see degree markings, which is the side you use with a miter saw. First off, they are precision built with accurate frames. A speed square is only as good as its squareness and its ability to mark 45-degree angles. All speed squares that made our shortlist were square out of the box.
The Empire Laser Etched Aluminum Rafter Squarecomes in a bright shade of blue, with high visibility permanent laser engraved markings. The extruded aluminum body is more sturdy than die-cast, and it won’t corrode or rust. The rafter square has convenient conversion tables, and precision scribe notches help guide the pencil when marking. The heel is 15% wider than average for a steady hold on material.Dewalt, iGaging, Milwaukee, and Swanson manufacture some of the best speed squares for the price. These four brands have models that span the price spectrum from bargain bin to gift-worthy. They also cover the spectrum of needs from weekend DIY’er to the professional contractor. Embedded degree gradations on the tool eliminate the need for trigonometric calculations and allow for lines to be more easily made. But recesses aren’t required for accurate measurements. Speed squares with precise edges, versus rounded edges that don’t lay 100% flat on a board, are a handy feature. It’s easy to mark precise and consistent lines when you can butt your pencil directly onto the edge of your speed square where it meets the work surface. Squares with rounded edges will lead to inconsistently-marked lines, depending on the angle you hold your pencil. Size options A speed square is a common tool to find inside of your toolbox, although you must choose the most appropriate material, weight, and durability for your tool to discover the best speed square for you and your tasks. Material If you need to draw a straight line across a board to rip it down, it is super simple to do so with a Speed Square!
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