Speed Squares: The Only Measuring Tool You’ll Ever Need

Over the years there have been many “jack of all trades” kinds of tools in woodworking. For measuring, this has been the: combination square, which was not only great for measuring but most of these instruments also featured a scribe for marking as well as a spirit level indicate whether a surface is a level on a vertical or horizontal plane.

However, unless you use up your entire savings, most of the cheaper and more accessible versions of these combination tools do end up becoming “masters of none”.
Recently, the South African woodworking community has begun to recognize a new jack of all trades which some swear is certainly a master of all. The Speed Square.

The speed square is a triangular-shaped measuring tool that was invented in 1925 by Albert Swanson. It combines the functions of the aforementioned combination square, the try square and the framing square into one. Woodworkers have been using this tool for marking and measuring on wood as well as using the tool (especially the aluminum versions) as a crosscut saw guide for 90-degree and 45-degree cuts.

How to use a Speed Square

• The lipped fence which on the edge of this measuring tool makes it a simple, accurate and handy try square. As seen below, you can hold the tool against the edge of a workpiece measure and mark lines. The speed in which you can do this makes this a very efficient tool both in the workshop and on-site.
• Because of the common degree variations which are precisely marked on both sides of the Speed Square, reading, marking and laying out angles can be achieved quicker and easier. By marking the degree of graduation on both edges of a workpiece, one is able to draw the angle required along the 90-degree line as below:
• When the lipped fence is held against the edge of a workpiece, the woodworker can use a hand or circular saw to make 90 and 45-degree cuts quickly and precisely as seen below:
• The row of notches which are machined into one of the triangular slots is made to be used as a line scriber. By placing your pencil or line scriber inside the notch, one is able to slide the tools against the edge of the workpiece scribe a parallel line.
• Based on the isosceles triangular shape of the Speed Square, marking 90 and 45-degree angles is a quick and painless process when the tool is held against the edge of the workpiece.

These Speed Squares are available at Tools4Wood, buy yours today.