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Okay, either I have too much free time on my hands, or this might be a good idea…I’m sure you all will let me know. I know many of you use a speed square to ensure straight cuts when using a circular saw. What if the speed square had small pointy pins on it, similar to those on a biscuit joiner. The pins would sort of “lock ” the sqaure to the stock. Any suggestions, or am I needing another project to think about instead??
Gary
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Replies
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Hey Gary
I use a speed square that way, and the pins would help how?
Just an effete trim carpenter, Bee Bee
*To keep it from moving on the stockGary
*By vastly increasing the "friction" between the speed square and the stock. Would seem especially nice for non-90, non-45 cuts when the little fence on the speed square doesn't help you.Gary: Sounds like a good idea. You could drill tiny holes (1/16"?) and hammer in the shaft of 4 or 6 push pins so the points stick out just a bit. Or some 3d or 4d finishing nails, trimmed to a short length. With just a tiny bit of the point exposed. If you like it, use some 5-minute epoxy/JB-weld to really lock them in place. -David
*I use one of my stair jacks to lock in an angle that I repeatedly cut . Good Idea though . Dave
*Stanley has modified a speed square with an adjustable edge/arm that can be stopped on any degree with a set screw. Makes cutting rafters easier.Gabe
*What about taking a couple of strips of pressure back sandpaper and sticking them on the speed square.This is commonly done on jigs to help keep the wood from moving.
*Taking bill's idea a step further - mix up some five minute epoxy, spread it on and sprinkle some clean dry mason sand into it. Now go buy a new clean one for nice work
*GARY... Sounds like a good idea, but most of the time if I have to make multiple cuts I use the speed sq. for the first cut then make a pattern for the rest so you don't need the speed SQ...or maybe I'm missing something like .... Bill D. Quality Wood Chips
*Would you, could you, glue wood magnets to it? I think surely you could.near the stream amazing myself,aj
*Would you, could you, if you dareRe-invent that old speed square?Serve a purpose, yes it wouldHelp the hardest cut on wood.Would you bother? Would you try?I wouldn’t doubt it, but wonder why.(don’t blame me, AJ started it)
*Gary,
View Image © 1999-2001"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle
*I may be misunderstanding or just plain ignorant/inept, but why do you have a problem with the square moving? The only reason I can think of is that you are using it as a guide for the saw table in place of the line. IMHO, this is a sure way to make an out of square cut. Use the square to make your line, then follow the line with the blade. If you want accuracy, use a utility knife to mark instead of a big carpenters pencil. Jon
*Yahoo...all on a Friday night!Phonics anonymous team leader Qtrmeg and his sidekick riley...err ajnear the poetic stream,aj
*What about those little pins ripping your pocket or skin?
*Very little pins...very little...tucked in close to the lipped edge and out of harms way...Maybe the sandpaper or foam rubber square is the way to go.near the couch cutting out speed squares from the cushion foam,ajOops...better flip em quick, here comes the better half!
*Sound like a good idea. the pins wouldn't heave to be sharp, just enough point to grab the wood. I usually don't use the square as a guide except on 90's because is DOES slip. I free hand most angles whild framing. Haven't had a problem.For finish work, it's a whole different story.Ed.
*I don't know about that...I don't need a speed square to cut off a 2x4 or 2x6 square. Just measure to length, and eyeball it. That's for framing. And I'm not sloppy. If the cut needs to be really good, mark it square (or whatever angle you need) and follow the line with the saw. If I concentrate, I can make a cut just as nicely as if it was made in a chop saw. Lots of people can do this. Of course, you gotta use a Skil 77...For pros, finish or framing, I think the pins would get in the way, hang up on the stock, etc.But I'd try it if you sent me one. ;-)
*Try this again,,,here's a adjustable saw guide that does what you are after I guess. Fuzzy picture, I took another of the scale I'll put up. This is a no name brand oldie, I know it's not made in China because it's too old. Good for making a few cuts, but if you are going to make a number of cuts it easiest to just make a fixed angle jig. Your idea sounds like it would work unless you have a knot where the pin lands. Joe H
*Here's the scale, but no manufacturer's name anywhere on it. Guess they weren't after more customers. Joe H
*Jack! Where do I get some of those wood magnuts?
*gary, I think you might need another project, i.e., to to persude manufacturers to go back to producing joiners squares just like they used to be produced, with all the aids that they used to have. All you need to know about joiners squares has been around for several centuries that I'm aware of. There really seems to me no need for modern joiners/carpenters to keep on re-inventing the wheel. Here's an example from George Ellis from about 110 years back in his book Modern Practical Joinery. The pins that you mentioned that you'd like added to the thing would seem to be superfluous in this example because the integral sliding, adjustable, and lockable rule does a much better job. Now, where is that all important rule on modern examples of joiners squares from places like Home Crapot? Did that simple piece of technology get lost somewhere? Slainte, RJ.
*Stanley does actually make a larger version of the speed square with a locking angle adjustment. Sort of takes this "speed square with spikes" theory to the next level. Though not many framers use a guide to make crosscuts anyways....
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Okay, either I have too much free time on my hands, or this might be a good idea...I'm sure you all will let me know. I know many of you use a speed square to ensure straight cuts when using a circular saw. What if the speed square had small pointy pins on it, similar to those on a biscuit joiner. The pins would sort of "lock " the sqaure to the stock. Any suggestions, or am I needing another project to think about instead??
Gary