Combo Square and Level
This tool can from Scribner can be extremely efficient for everything from laying out stairs or rafters, or for finding the rake angle of a 150-year-old staircase.
As a small company in a small market, we perform a wide variety of tasks—from minor renovations and repairs to new builds, often literally footing to finish. While some carpenters think the Scribner Level is gimmicky, I find it to be an extremely efficient combo square and level, whether it’s used for laying out stairs or rafters, or for finding the rake angle of a 150-year-old staircase. With the square sitting in the middle of the level, you get a true 4-ft. double-sided fence on the square. This allows you to start layout at the very corner of your lumber and work to the very end. The 4-ft. fence makes spanning wane and other irregularities in lumber a breeze. When finding existing angles such as the stairs, there is no second step—you proceed directly into layout. In my opinion, the combination allows for speed and accuracy.
Aron Jones, a carpenter in Grand Manan, N.B., Canada
From Fine Homebuilding #306
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