What type of rafter square do you use or recommend ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
P

plecostic

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 17, 2011
495
2
0
USA
I see many use the triangle looking thingy called a rafter square ? I can see the benefits of using one but never have nor do I even know what a rafter square even is. I know you can square with it but the other parts not sure. The triangle one looks more user-friendly.

Which one do you use or recommend for a noob or the carpentry challenged ?

Home Depot has different ones

Empire Magnum Fat Boy 7 in. Aluminum Rafter Square $8
Johnson 7 in. Rafter Angle Square Caliper $7
Empire High Visibility Rafter Square $11 plastic, this one has good reviews and with a thick edge.
12 in Empire Magnum Rafter Square $17
D-Unique Tools Universal Square $14, saw video on this, looks really handy, but maybe for an expert vs a noob ?
 
If you buy a swanson speed square they useully come with a book that discribes how to find the correct angles. I use mine mostly just to get a strait line a board when using a curcular saw. But when I was a builder I also used it allot to find the correct angles for different parts of a roof. They're a very hand tool to have around.
 
I like a machinists square for smaller stuff and a big framing square for bigger stuff. I usually grab the larges square that will fit the pieces I am working on because it is more accurate this way.

Harbor freight sells cheap squares and I haven't had any problem with them. For better accuracy the expensive starret squares are what the pro machinists use.
 
ruddybop said:
This is a nice video on what some of the uses are for this wonderful tool.

[YT]jh04yCYGPTA[/YT]
Click to expand...
Holy cow batman, how did I ever live without one of these lol Home Depot doesn't sell the Swanson square, are they all pretty much the same ?
 
I just picked up a swanson too, curious though when I tested some wood to see if it was square, the triangle was not flush against the board, there was a gap is that normal ? I thought it should be a perfect fit. Seems like the design doesn't go exact 90 degrees.

Update: I figured out the problem, home depot crappy cutting is what it was. On a piece cut by me on my new miter saw the triangle was flush. Looks like I'll have to redo all the home depot cuts.
 
I like the big 12" square for most projects.
 
Swanson speed square should be all you need. And, they sell it in both sizes.
 
plecostic said:
I just picked up a swanson too, curious though when I tested some wood to see if it was square, the triangle was not flush against the board, there was a gap is that normal ? I thought it should be a perfect fit. Seems like the design doesn't go exact 90 degrees.

Update: I figured out the problem, home depot crappy cutting is what it was. On a piece cut by me on my new miter saw the triangle was flush. Looks like I'll have to redo all the home depot cuts.
Click to expand...

Yeah I almost never trust that the ends are square. Sometimes it looks like someone cut it with a chainsaw.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom