Square (tool)

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Square
Vinkli.jpg
ClassificationMarking and measuring hand tools
Types Combination square
Framing square
Engineer's square
Mitre square
Set square
Speed square
Try square
T-square
Used withPens, pencils, scribes, drawing boards, and plum bobs

A square is a tool used for marking and referencing a 90° angle, though mitre squares are used for 45° angles. Squares see common use in woodworking, metalworking, construction and technical drawing. [1] Some squares incorporate a scale for measuring distances (a ruler) or for calculating angles.

Contents

Terminology

Many squares are made of two parts, a stock and a straight blade or tongue. [2] The stock is usually thicker than the blade, with the blade being fixed into or onto the stock. The blade typically has parallel edges. The stock is usually held against the edge of a workpiece or drawing board and the tongue is then used as a straight edge for making a mark, or as a reference to check the accuracy of an angle.

History

Ancient Egyptian wooden try square from the 20th century BC. Carpenter's Square MET 20.3.90.jpeg
Ancient Egyptian wooden try square from the 20th century BC.

Wooden try squares have survived from Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome and can be seen in art from the time. From the 18th century squares began to be manufactured in factories, prior to that they were typically made from wood and were often made by the tradesmen themselves. [2] Some woodworkers continue to make their own squares. [3]

Types of square

There are a number of different types of square used for a variety of different industries and purposes:

NamesImageDescription and use
Centre square, or centre finder, or radial square Zentrierwinkel (Zentrumsfinder).jpg Designed for marking the centre of round materials, such as dowels in woodworking. The most common form consists of an L-shaped stock with the blade fixed on top bisecting the stock. [4] Another type is made from a single piece of metal with two perpendicular pins which are placed against the edge of the workpiece. [5] [6] Centre squares are also manufactured to be used as a head for a combination square. [7]
Combination square, or sliding square Combination square.jpg A combination square features a ruler (the blade) which can be slid and adjusted within a head (the stock). The head usually has one face at 90° to the ruler, and another face at 45° to the ruler. Originally designed for machinists, the tool is also commonly used in woodworking. They can also be purchased with centre finder heads and protractor heads and often incorporate a spirit level. [8] [7]
Cylindrical square, or cylinder squareA cylinder square is a heavy solid steel cylinder used in metalworking that has been machined to a high degree of accuracy, with the ends perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. By placing it upright on a known flat surface, such as a surface plate it can be used for checking the accuracy of other items, such as engineer's squares. [9]
Engineer's square, or machinist square SquareEngineersMachinist.jpg An engineer's square is the metalworkers' equivalent of a try square. It consists of a steel blade inserted and either welded or pinned into a heavier and thicker steel stock at a 90° angle. [10]
English layout square English layout square.svg An historic A-shaped woodworking square, which can also be combined with a plumb bob for marking out angles. [11]
Framing square, or steel square, or carpenter's square, or roofing square Steel Square-1.jpg Originally designed for timber framing, a framing square is made from a single flat piece of metal or polymer to a standardised design with a long, wide blade and at 90° to that a shorter, narrower tongue. It can also be used for measuring lengths and for calculating angles. [12] [13]
L-square Vinkli.jpg L-square is a generic term used for L-shaped squares, including framing squares, engineer's squares, and try squares. The shorter edge usually being the stock, and the longer edge the blade.
Melencolia try square Woodworking square from Albrecht Durer's Melencolia I.jpg An historic style of woodworking square, in which the width of the blade matches the length of the stock. Has seen renewed interest in recent years by some woodworkers. [14]
Mitre bevel Vinkelhake - Skoklosters slott - 99795.tif A mitre bevel is an historic mitre square of a similar design to the Melencolia try square. [15]
Mitre square Slightly rusty mitre square.jpg A mitre square is used in woodworking to mark and measure 45° angles and its supplementary angle, 135°. The most common type (pictured) has a tongue set at 45° to the stock. Factory-made mitre squares usually have a metal tongue and a wooden stock, though historically woodworkers would often make their own out of wood. [16] Despite being named a square, most mitre squares are not used for marking or checking a 90° edge.
Odd Jobs Stanley's Odd Jobs illustration.png A multifunction tool originally manufactured by Stanley that incorporates both a try square and a mitre square.
Plumb square Cc&j-fig24--plumb square.png A square incorporating a plumb bob to check if something is level, and for making horizontal markings.
Positioning square, or clamping square, or assembly squareAn L-shaped square used in woodworking for checking an inside or outside angle when assembling workpieces, such as boxes. They are designed to be rigid enough to be clamped in place. [17] [18]
Set square, or triangle Delin 03 Escuadra&CartabonDSC00010.jpg A set square is used in technical drawing, providing a straightedge at a right angle or another particular planar angle to a baseline. They are commonly made from clear plastic. The most common set squares are 45° squares, (one 90° corner and two 45° corners) and 60/30 triangles (a 90°, a 60° and a 30° corner). Another type of set square is an adjustable square, which features an edge that can be adjusted to any angle from 0° to 90°. [19] [20]
Speed square, or rafter square, or rafter angle square, or triangle square, or layout square Swanson Speed Square by NIP.JPG A speed square is a triangular carpenters square combining functions of the combination square, try square, and framing square into one. It can be used to calculate and mark angles, to suspend a plumb bob, and as a fence for a circular saw. [21] [22] [23]
Try square, or joiner's square Trysquare.jpg A try square is the woodworking equivalent of an engineer's square. Made with a thin steel blade fixed at 90° into a thicker stock that is typically made of wood. The inside face of the stock is sometimes faced with brass to reduce wear. Historically woodworkers would often make their own try squares out of wood. The top of the stock is sometimes at a 45° angle so the square can also be used as a mitre square. [24] [25]
T-square, or glazier's square, [1] or drywall square. [26] Drafting board with T Square.jpg A T-square is a style of square where the blade is fixed onto on into the middle of the stock, forming a 'T' shape. The most common type of T-square is a guide for drawing horizontal lines on a drawing board, and can guide a set square to draw vertical or diagonal lines. [27] Other types of T-square are used by woodworkers and glaziers for marking up sheet materials such as plywood, glass, and plasterboard. [1] [26]

Accuracy

Checking a try square for accuracy against itself. Testing a try square for accuracy.png
Checking a try square for accuracy against itself.

Different industries and applications have different requirements for the accuracy of squares. Some squares are manufactured to meet regulated standards of accuracy, such as British Standards BS 939:2007 for engineering squares, and BS 3322 for try squares. [28] [29]

A square can become inaccurate over time through common use and abuse, such as the edges becoming worn or the square being dropped or mistreated. The materials, most notably wood, can also vary with changes in temperature and humidity. Squares can be checked for accuracy against a known reference, such as a square or piece of machinery that is known to be accurate or against a cylindrical square. A bright light or feeler gauges can be used to check for gaps between the square and the object being referenced.

Through symmetry squares can also be checked against themselves. One method for L-shaped squares (illustrated) is to hold the square against a reliable known straight edge, a line is struck using a marking knife or sharp pencil, the square is then flipped over and from the same point another line is struck. If the square is accurate there should only be a single line visible. [30] [31]

There are a number of methods for correcting an inaccurate square by hand. For example, wooden blades can be corrected using a hand plane and sandpaper, while metal blades can be corrected using a file, emery cloth, or sandpaper. [32] [33] Framing squares can be adjusted using a hammer and a punch. [34]

Symbolism

The square and compass symbol used by Freemasons. Square and compasses2.JPG
The square and compass symbol used by Freemasons.
Statue in Helsinki of Thomas the Apostle holding a square. Thomas the Apostle Helsinki Cathedral.jpg
Statue in Helsinki of Thomas the Apostle holding a square.

The square is incorporated into the most common Freemasonry symbol, the Square and Compasses. [35] Historically squares have also been used by woodworkers, such as joiners and carpenters, as symbols in signs and heraldry to represent their trade. [36] The square as a symbol is also seen in artistic representations of the Christian saints Thomas the Apostle and James the Less. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adze</span> Woodworking tool with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle

An adze or adz is an ancient and versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Adzes have been used since the Stone Age. They are used for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking, and as a hoe for agriculture and horticulture. Two basic forms of an adze are the hand adze —a short-handled tool swung with one hand—and the foot adze (hoe)—a long-handled tool capable of powerful swings using both hands, the cutting edge usually striking at foot or shin level. A similar tool is called a mattock, which differs by having two blades, one perpendicular to the handle and one parallel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadaxe</span> Type of axe with a large head that is primarily used as a tool

A broadaxe is a large broad-headed axe. There are two categories of cutting edge on broadaxes, both are used for shaping logs into beams by hewing. On one type, one side is flat, and the other side beveled, a basilled edge, also called a side axe, single bevel, or chisle-edged axe. On the other type, both sides are beveled, sometimes called a double bevel axe, which produces a scalloped cut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chisel</span> Tool for cutting and carving

A chisel is a wedged hand tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge on the end of its blade, for carving or cutting a hard material. The tool can be used by hand, struck with a mallet, or applied with mechanical power. The handle and blade of some types of chisel are made of metal or wood with a sharp edge in it.

A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard toothed edge used to cut through material. Various terms are used to describe toothed and abrasive saws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Block plane</span> Small metal-bodied woodworking hand plane

A block plane is a small metal-bodied woodworking hand plane which typically has the blade bedded at a lower angle than other planes, with the bevel up. It is designed to cut end grain and do touchup or finish work. It is typically small enough to be used with one hand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plane (tool)</span> Tool for working with wood

A hand plane is a tool for shaping wood using muscle power to force the cutting blade over the wood surface. Some rotary power planers are motorized power tools used for the same types of larger tasks, but are unsuitable for fine-scale planing, where a miniature hand plane is used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combination square</span> Measuring and marking tool

A combination square is a multi-purpose measuring and marking tool used in metalworking, woodworking, and stonemasonry. It is composed of a rule and one or more interchangeable heads that can be attached to the rule. Other names for the tool include adjustable square, combo square, and sliding square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Try square</span> Woodworking tool used for marking and checking 90° angles

A try square or try-square is a woodworking tool used for marking and checking 90° angles on pieces of wood. Though woodworkers use many different types of square, the try square is considered one of the essential tools for woodworking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spokeshave</span> Woodworking hand tool

A spokeshave is a hand tool used to shape and smooth woods in woodworking jobs such as making cart wheel spokes, chair legs, paddles, bows, and arrows. The tool consists of a blade fixed into the body of the tool, which has a handle for each hand. Historically, a spokeshave was made with a wooden body and metal cutting blade. With industrialization metal bodies displaced wood in mass-produced tools. Being a small tool, a spokeshave is not suited to working large surfaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack plane</span> Type of woodworking hand plane

A jack plane is a general-purpose woodworking bench plane, used for dressing timber down to size in preparation for truing and/or edge jointing. It is usually the first plane used on rough stock, but for rougher work it can be preceded by the scrub plane. The versatility of the jack plane has led to it being the most common bench plane in use. The name jack plane is sometimes used interchangeably with the longer fore plane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miter saw</span> Mechanical saw used to obtain precise angle cuts

A miter saw or mitre saw is a saw used to make accurate crosscuts and miters in a workpiece by positioning a mounted blade onto a board. A miter saw in its earliest form was composed of a back saw in a miter box, but in modern implementation consists of a powered circular saw that can be positioned at a variety of angles and lowered onto a board positioned against a backstop called the fence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machinist square</span>

A machinist square or engineer's square is the metalworkers' equivalent of a try square. It consists of a steel blade inserted and either welded or pinned into a heavier body at an angle of 90°. Usually a small notch is present at the inside corner of the square. This prevents small particles from accumulating at the juncture and affecting the square's reading.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitre box</span> Woodworking tool used to guide a saw

A mitre box or miter box is a wood working appliance used to guide a hand saw for making precise cuts, usually 45° mitre cuts. Traditional mitre boxes are simple in construction and made of wood, while adjustable mitre boxes are made of metal and can be adjusted for cutting any angle from 45° to 90°.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bench hook</span> Woodworking tool

A bench hook is a workbench appliance used in woodworking to hold a workpiece in place while crosscutting with a hand saw. A bench hook is a simple method used to improve accuracy and safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marking knife</span> Woodworking layout tool

A marking knife or striking knife is a woodworking layout tool used for accurately marking workpieces. It is used to cut a visible line, which can then be used to guide a hand saw, chisel or plane when making woodworking joints and other operations. They are generally used when marking across the grain of the wood, with scratch awls better suited for marking with the grain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Float (woodworking)</span> Metal file used for making wooden hand planes

A woodworking float, also called a planemaker's float, is a tapered, flat, single cut file of two types: edge float and the flat sided float which are traditional woodworking tools generally used when making a wooden plane. The float is used to cut, flatten, and smooth key areas of wood by abrasion. Despite the name its woodworking uses go well beyond planemaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fence (woodworking)</span> Woodworking tool part

A fence is a part of many woodworking tools; it is typically used to guide or secure a workpiece while it is being sawn, planed, routed or marked. Fences play an important role for both accuracy and safety. Fences are usually straight and vertical, and made from metal, wood or plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrington hammer</span> Woodworkers hammer

The Warrington hammer,joiners' hammer, English pattern hammer, or Warrington pattern hammer is a kind of cross-peen hammer used in woodworking. The chisel-like cross-peen side is used to set small nails and pins while the smaller, rounded face is used to finish driving them in. The cross-peen side of the tool is also used for refining work, such as furniture and cabinet making. While the standard claw hammer is used for tasks that involve greater use of force, the Warrington hammer is preferred for projects that require precision. A standard Warrington hammer is commonly around 12+12 inches (320 mm) in length with the hammer head weighing between 10 and 14 ounces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnisher</span> Woodworking tool for sharpening a card scraper

A burnisher is a hand tool used in woodworking for creating a burr on a card scraper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miter square</span> Hand tool used for marking and checking angles

A miter square or mitre square is a hand tool used in woodworking and metalworking for marking and checking angles other than 90°. Most miter squares are for marking and checking 45° angles and its supplementary angle, 135°.

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