Swanson Tool S0107 12-Inch Speed Square Layout Tool with Blue Book

Product Information

Speed triangles are used as a combination square, try square and framing square in one. A roofing square is used to mark out cuts for rafters or any angle between 0 and 90°. You can also scribe lines and use the square to guide a saw across a board. Speed Squares Users Find the pivot point. With the lip of the speed square against the edge of the board, the pivot point will be the notch where the straight edge meets the lip.Draw a straight line from the pivot point to the other side of the board. Readability:A high visibility speed square is a must for any job. Whether it’s changes in lighting or flipping the square from left to right, it needs to be readable at any time. Look for a rafter angle square with a strong color contrast between the scale and the markings, and markings on both sides of the tool. In particular, laser-etched markings will last the longest. First, mark your cut line with the speed square. Remember not to cut directly on the line, but rather on the "waste" side so you don't accidentally make your board shorter than you wanted. I like to mark that side with an X. You also don’t want the speed square to get rusty or wear down due to the weather. This can warp it and make some of the measurements unreadable. Once again, a rusty square is not going to be very useful.

Etched markings. On a good quality speed square, all markings are etched into the surface, rather than printed. This ensures that those little lines remain visible and accurate after years of use. Find the scribe line notches. These triangular cutouts are usually located on the inside of the inner triangle, and fit a pencil perfectly.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.

Even if a speed square is accurate, it isn’t useful if you can’t read the numbers. Because of that, many companies etch the numbers into each square on top of painting them. This makes them easier to read and keeps them readable for a long time. 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.Hammer a small nail into the center of the circle, and place a pencil in the appropriate scribe notch. Rotate the speed square on the nail to draw a curved line! The Swanson Speed Trim Squaremay be a smaller version of its well-known predecessor, but that doesn’t make it any less useful. This square has all the conveniences that Swanson products are known for, including the patented 3 ½ inch diamond mark. It has dual reference bases for centering mortises and tenons, and the scribe bar has fade-resistant milled guides for longevity. This, paired with the anti-glare finish, makes it easy to read. Now you can use your circular saw or jigsaw to cut down the waste side of your line! How to Use a Speed Square for Angles 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.