Comments on: Free Plan: English Layout Square

By: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkLaKB017KZnI0_GvSRPmpkaG73aCyKCGg

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkLaKB017KZnI0_GvSRPmpkaG73aCyKCGg — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:14:13 +0000

Would it be historically correct to add a flange to one leg to facilitate establishing a perpendicular? It also is useful in standing the sq up to use as a refwerence.

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:48:15 +0000

Bob,

I use it for layout work on faces. When I am marking dados or sliding dovetails, rabbets on the ends of case sides, etc.

You are right that it won’t lip over an edge because of that middle brace, but I have a combination square for that.

It’s also a great straightedge.

By: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawm4UjJ-_4xUg7q9-jlvhBj9ikzGUZLVvCw

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawm4UjJ-_4xUg7q9-jlvhBj9ikzGUZLVvCw — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:00:37 +0000

Chris,
I am having trouble understanding how to use the layout square in place of a metal framing square. With a framing square I drop one of the legs along the edge of the board to square off that edge. Since this square is flat (unlike a combo or try square) and has a brace angled across the middle I am unsure about how to align it to an edge. I can see how it would be very useful for inside corners but for anything else I am at a loss. Can you illuminate this issue for me so that I have a good excuse to make one of these beasties?

Thank you,
Bob

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:39:35 +0000

Chris,

After reading the article on the layout square I picked up your plans for the Roubo try square and had a great time building it. The reason I went with the try squre is because I didn’t know what exactly to use a layout square for. Thanks for giving a little more insight on the use of it. Now I just have to decide how to get one; and here are my options as I see it. One is to bring beer to the next event you are at and try to buddy my way into friend status, two is to devise a plan for becoming family (I’m married so this will have to be some kind of shirtail relation), and three is almost too simple to state but may prove to be just as much fun. Thanks for the great article and for shhedding light on two interesting tools that would go great in anyone’s shop.

Mike

By: my wife says i'm square

my wife says i'm square — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:17:53 +0000

Thanks for the freebee.

I looked at the picture of the glue-up. A block of wood on the corner could be useful. It would provide a reference for cross board or panel work. It would provide support for vertical case construction work.

You work with the square. Can you think of a reason not to add that feature.

By: Christopher Lindsay

Christopher Lindsay — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:29:48 +0000

I suppose that you could also attach a fence on one arm and it would function as a large try square, and have several sizes — they are just nice to look at, too. Thanks for sharing.