Woodworking isn’t easy, especially if you are a novice. Among others, one of the most important is to make accurate measurements. Many tools that will make this possible, including the best woodworking square.
The woodworking square is a marking and measuring tool. It allows you to measure 45 and 90-degree angles easily. They exist in different kinds, such as try, framing, and combination squares.
Looking for the best woodworking square to buy? If you have no idea on which one is best to purchase, read the rest of this post and well help you become a well-informed buyer.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks for the Best Woodworking Square
Ready to start your search for a top-rated square that comes handy in several woodworking applications? Here is a round-up of the best products that should make it on your list.
Swanson Tool S0101 Speed Square
If you are on the lookout for the best speed square that you can use for woodworking, this is one product to consider. With a length of seven inches, it can easily fit in your pocket, so it is easy to bring it wherever you need to work.
The versatility of this product is another reason why it is a favorite of woodworking enthusiasts. It has multiple uses, such as a try square, miter square, saw guide, protractor, and line scriber.
It is also worth noting that it is made using aluminum alloy, an innovative material that is aerospace-grade. You can expect it to be hard to match when it comes to durability. Even better, it has black-filled graduations that stand out against the matte surface, making it easy to see the markings.
While the main purpose of designing this speed square is for use of roofers, it can also be equally impressive in other tasks, including woodworking.
Buy from Amazon
Swanson Tool TC13212-inch Combo Square
This is another high-quality square from Swanson Tool that is worth looking at. The first one is a speed square while this model is a combination square, which makes it great if you are looking for versatility.
Looking at the components of this combo square, it is easy to be convinced that it is built to last. It uses exceptional materials to make it durable. There is a CNC-machined die-cast head. The blades, on the other hand, are made of stainless steel. It also comes with black precision etchings that won’t easily fade. There is also a spring-loaded brass, which is beneficial in making sure of its accuracy.
Buy from Amazon
Irwin Tools 12-inch Combination Square
One of the best features of this woodworking square is the stainless-steel blade. It has been through heat treatment to ensure long-lasting functionality. Because of this, it is one of the most durable squares from the products included in this brief review.
With a length of 12 inches, this is large enough for most woodworking applications. However, it is quite large, so portability can be quite an issue as it won’t easily fit in your pocket.
The easy-to-read scale is another good thing about this woodworking square. The numbers and lines are etched, so they will be easy for anyone to see.
Buy from Amazon
Irwin Tools 6-inch Combination Square
From the same manufacturer as the product that has been mentioned above, this is a portable option for the best combination square. The two products share almost the same set of features, but the most significant difference is the fact that it has a length of only six inches, making it better if you are after portability.
It has a cast zinc body, so you can expect its ability to withstand the test of time.
Lastly, it has black, precision-etched scales that will make it easy for you to read the markings.
Buy from Amazon
Steelex D3383 Precision Square
One of the things that you will love in this woodworking square is the material, which is hardened tempered stainless steel. It is long-lasting, so this is a tool that you are going to use through the years.
The accuracy of this square is also notable. Based on the specifications from the manufacturer, it has an accuracy of +/-.0006-inch. The inside notch is also an excellent feature as it makes the square more correct.
It is important to note, however, that the length of this woodworking square is only four inches. This is great for detailed work but will not be useful if you need longer measurements. The beam length, on the other hand, is three inches.
Buy from Amazon
Woodstock D4089 Machinist Square Set
Value for money – this is one thing that you can expect from this machinist square. It is a fantastic addition to your woodworking gear not only because it is affordable but also since it comes as a set of four squares with different lengths – two, three, four, and six inches.
Looking at its design and construction, you will love how it comes with a heavy square base. This is the one that is responsible for making sure of its stability for more accurate measurements.
Lastly, it is made using hardened and tempered steel, so it will be hard to question the squares when it comes to durability.
Buy from Amazon
Grizzly H2993 Machinist’s Square Set
Like the product from Woodstock that has been mentioned above, this is another choice that can provide the best bang for the buck because it comes in a set of four squares. The squares are also two, three, four, and six inches in length.
The main material in all squares is finely-ground stainless steel. Aside from the material, another common characteristic they share is the presence of a common beam and blade thickness and width.
Looking at the reviews of the people who used this square set for woodworking, one thing that many people loved is how exact the measurements are, even down to the smallest details.
Buy from Amazon
iGaging Double Square Set
If you are looking for professional woodworking tools that you can use for making accurate measurements, this is another option to keep on your radar. It comes in a set of two squares, one is four inches and the other is six inches.
For the measurements, they are graduated in 8ths, 16ths, 32nds, and 64ths. They adhere to strict U.S. standards, so you can be confident about the accuracy that you can expect in each square.
As for its construction, the squares are made of hardened precision ground satin chrome blade.
To make it easy to keep the squares and to protect it from external elements that can speed up wear, you will also love how every purchase is inclusive of a storage case.
Buy from Amazon
Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools 1281R Woodworking Square Imperial
The first thing that you will notice in this woodworking square is its price. This is one of the most expensive from all the products included on our list. However, this should not give you the reason to ditch the idea of buying it. It is worth every dollar, especially if you are a professional woodworker.
The main material in this square is cast aluminum steel. More than being lightweight, it is also durable. The blade and the base are made using a single block of aluminum, which is also beneficial in ensuring its accuracy.
Tired of misplacing your woodworking square? That will not be the case with this product. It comes with a wooden case that you can mount on the wall for convenient access when you need to use it.
Lastly, it is also a favorite of many pros because of its distinctive design. It allows the square to rest handsfree on the edge of a board. It also comes with a built-in control slot, which significantly improves the handling of this woodworking square.
Buy from Amazon
VINCA SCLS-2416 Carpenter L Framing Square
This is an impressive option that we can recommend for those who are looking for the best framing square that is handy for various woodworking applications. It is 16 x 24 inches, which makes it one of the largest from the squares on our list.
Whether you are DIY enthusiasts or a woodworking professional, you will love this square because of its durability. It is quite heavy, which is because of its material and size. Nonetheless, one of the reasons why it is heavy is because of the exceptional strength of its material.
Lastly, this framing square comes with a standard one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Buy from Amazon
Kinex 4026-12-015 Solid Machinist Square
Made for meticulous woodworkers, this is another product that you should not ignore if you are looking for a top-rated square. It adheres to the strictest German standards, which should provide you with peace of mind when it comes to its accuracy and quality.
The base and the blade are riveted together. Two pins create an invisible joint and connect the two parts of this woodworking square.
Lastly, another good reason to buy this product is the reputation the manufacturer has built. Kinex has been in the business of manufacturing measuring tools since 1906, which speaks a lot about the status of the company.
Buy from Amazon
Starrett RS-24 Steel L-shaped Framing Square
It is an incredible option for those who are looking for large woodworking squares compared to most of the options that have been mentioned in this buying guide. It is 16 x 24 inches, which means that it is not that good in terms of portability.
The solid and one-piece construction of the square is another thing that you will love. It is made using a strong material that is guaranteed to withstand the test of time. The two parts will not separate since they are one with each other instead of having a screw or joint connection.
For the graduations, it has 1/8 and 1/16-inch markings on the face. On the other side, it comes with 1/10, 1/12, and 1/16-inch markings.
Buy from Amazon
How to Choose the Best Woodworking Square
To help you narrow down the possibilities, below are the most important factors to take into consideration.
- Type: You need to choose a woodworking square that is designed for the specific application where you will be using it. The most common types include combination, try, speed, framing, and drywall square, among others.
- Material: Plastic, wood, and steel are three of the common materials. Plastic is often cheap, but we recommend that you stay away from this because it often tends to be flimsy.
- Markings: The markings are important because it shows you the specific measurements, so see to it that they are easy to see and won’t fade even after years of use.
- Accuracy: From the markings to the alignment, see to it that the woodworking square is accurate. Otherwise, it will be a useless addition to your toolbox.
FAQs
This section answers the common questions many of you might have about woodworking squares.
Why Should You Use a Woodworking Square?
The woodworking square is a crucial carpentry tool as it measures the right angle at which different products are built, including windows, drawers, and cabinets. It makes the perfect 45 or 90-degree angle in different projects.
What are the Parts of a Woodworking Square?
There are two main parts. The first one is the beam or the blade. The second is the head or the stock. The latter refers to the heavier portion of the square. Some stocks are fixed while others are designed in such a way that you can move them to the beam.
What is the Best Woodworking Square to Have?
This depends on the application. However, most experts recommend a 12-inch combination square as the first tool that should be on your arsenal because of its versatility. After this, you can invest in a medium-sized try square. The more advanced you get, the more squares you might need to have.
Conclusion
When it comes to marking and measuring tools, one of the most important to have is the best woodworking square. If you have no idea which one is best to buy, pay attention to our recommendations above. Take the time to evaluate the possibilities to ensure top-notch quality and accuracy of the square you will buy.
