How to use a speed square | Why it might be the most important tool you own
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Don’t just pretend you know how to use your speed square... really learn how to use it and build awesome stuff! This unassuming tool can do at least a dozen things if you know how to use it. Take it to tutorial trom master builder Erik Perkins has he explains some of the common and not so common uses for a speed square. Once you know how to use this thing correctly you can cut rafters, birds mouth cuts, measure degrees, and even use it as a notepad :-). Once you know the basics of the common and hip/valley scales, you will be able to cut rafters like a pro! #roof #framing #explained
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You may not realize how mind-bogglingly informative this was. For those who know, great. But for me, I was stunned by the tons of genius built into this tool!
Lol ya my dad works in construction and I work for him! When I started out I said the same thing 😂 lol
That's too funny!!! 🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It really is pretty amazing, and most of these guys didn't really do well in geometry, they learned it on the job with practice and real world experience
@@acaughey09 I remember having one when I was younger and thought, "what on God's green earth could I possibly do with this contraption". Got rid of it along with a bunch of other stuff that now, many years later, I would like to have back.
Thank you so much! I'm a 1st year Carpenter and now I know how to use my speed sqaure!
“I’m not worthy !” Been using one for years , didn’t know even a quarter of the shit you can do with it ! You are a star !!!!!
Dig that. i didn't know as much as you.
druid799 don’t feel bad, unless you’re framing roofs, you’ll never use all of its features.
Robert Beirne ahh not all true. Still need angles for allot of other things. Or if you gotta cut an angle you can just get the pitch and then put it on another board. But you’re right when it comes to rafters, those are a need to know. I started out framing new construction so learned that pretty quick but i guess since I knke that’s maybe why I use them for more things. Also stairs as well but typically use a 2’square for those. Crown molding too if the angles aren’t perfect 22.5, 45 degree angles also.
😂 I really hope you are not a carpenter then
Terry Priestley I’m not a carpenter, but i do some carpentry and I do use a speed square. I’ve not had to calculate bird mouths on a rafter.
Thank you for your kind words about this product. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxgmlSSlIRNE_C2UjNrRD8KfUXsZIM7WNF I'm pleased to hear that you have found the plans to be informative and helpful. This product aims to provide you with a variety of shed designs and styles, each with a clear picture and a detailed diagram. You can easily visualize and build your own shed, or get inspired by the different options available. I hope you enjoy your shed building experience with this product. blush
I like the speed square so much I got the larger one. I've been a carpenter for 42 years and have used the speed square to do cut roofs, including hip roofs, for my entire career. I started in production framing and had no time to make a second line during layout. Everybody understood the stud goes on the X side of the line. At openings, S is for stud and C is for cripple.
Me too
Not S for stud, K for king stud on the header, T for trimmer under the header, and C is for cripple, they hold up the sill. An adjustable speed square is your best friend on the roof!
Free Radical - I think it’s a east coast- west coast thing.
@@michaelgarrow3239 so is holding headers down! lol
Free Radical - I’m guessing your out west?
I got lost out in the woods one time but thankfully I just happened to have my speed square with me and navigated my way out. Life saver believe me.
shagintoo ooohhh did you have the Bear Grylls certified one???
Lmfao!
Well its got degree on it and if you have a watch.. you can navigate with degree minute. One of the first thing you learn in the army bud.
If you had your hot sauce you'd never have gotten list in the first place.
He actually drew a 50 degree angle in relation to the edge of the board. It was 40 degrees from a line drawn perpendicular to the length of the board. Still a great video. Learned a lot even though I use one almost every day.
I don’t understand can you explain a little better it looks like 40 degrees. Thank you
@@kymana01 At 3:08 imagine him aligning the speed square with the 10 degree mark instead, and you'll see what these 10 degrees will be in relation to. Definitely not to the board, as the line will be almost perpendicular to the board. Only 10 degrees off the actual perpendicular line (that's not drawn). That's what these degrees are in relation to - the line perpendicular to the length of the board.
@@Ruslan-S I see what you mean! So these marks are actually degrees from the (imaginary) line perpendicular to the board edges (let's call them X degs). So 90-X degs= degree angles relative to the board edges. Since the line he drew was 40 degs from a perpendicular line) that line would actually be 50 (90 minus 40) degs relative to the board edges. Thanks for the explanation!
@@Ruslan-S can you explain the 10/12 he was talking about? I get he had it on the 10 degree mark but where and why did the 12 come into it? 12 what?
@@vonwilson668 that's for a common rafter cut for a roof pitch of 10 inches vertically to 12 inches horizontally. 12/12 would be 45 degree roof, so 10/12 is around 40 degrees and 6/12 is around 25 degrees relative to the ground. See Roof pitch calculator online. Not sure why 12 is a common denominator in the US but likely traditional, because there's 12 inches in a foot, and also 12 divides well.
It's pouring rain and freezing right now, but this video makes me want to go, right now, and build something awesome.
I used mine to help move, clear and level dirt under an outdoor step I was replacing at my father in laws. It worked beautifully!
I remember trying to make sense of the instructions when I purchased my speed square whereby it became a straight edge. Now at least I have a clue as to what all those numbers stamped on the thing are for. Now we will see if I am smart enough to put some of this info to use. Thanks for the great vid.
I learned how to use one in my high school woodshop class, we used it everyday. Then a year later at university, one of my friends hot me a standard swanson speed square which was one of my FIRST tools I ever owned and I now have a full shop of almost every tool I will ever need and I STILL use the same square every time im working in my shop 👍
Lol I learned how at 4 years old
Not even kidding
We lived on a farm and I helped my dad build a shed,clubhouse,our house, and fencing for our animals
As a drywaller, I can confirm that this video is necessary. All framers should watch this lol.
OldScrubGamer hahahaha
im a finish carpenter and you drywallers should watch some videos. lol
Yeah! I've run into some framing situations during remodels, (mainly in condos) that leave me like !WTF! I couldn't frame this bad if I tried. So........keep shimming lol.
@@badboyvids1 the drywall follows the wall... not sure what you're insinuating here. I can't imagine a taper so bad that it interfered with the finish carpenter. There are alot of DIY guys that try to pretend at being in the trades though... so I guess it's possible. I saw a guy do butt joints with just a hawk once. No trowel... just a hawk.
@@oldscrubgamer1853 true to a point however drywallers love to float the walls to make them look straight. just saying no need for anger issues. There was a lol after my comment
That was a heck of a demo. You sold me, I'm buying one asap and I don't even need it right away. That was an excellent lesson, well-shot and edited.
I have used a speed square for years and never realized a couple of thing you showed in your video. Thanks.
The 3/16” thickness of the speed square is also a good way to space the next top board when building decks
It sure is.........if you suck at life.....go right ahead
Maybe on composites, I’d just treated I always lay them tight because they’ll shrink a 1/4 within a few weeks, anybody else
Using it to space decking is one way I’ve used mine more often. That’s mainly because I haven’t had much practice with layout/cutting yet. I’m hoping to get into carpentry soon (framing specifically). And have been trying to learn the skills I need while I look for a job. Videos like this help me a lot more than reading a book.
Thanks for posting!
They will shrink so no gaps is the way to do it
I would always place a nail between them before I nail it to give it just a tiny about of space but the guy is right about it shrinking. The salt water in the treated wood drys out within a few days then it's water seal time. I miss doing carpenter work. It's a trade that not all men can do.
This video was very informative and simply very very helpful to me. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
I enjoy using my square and all I do is make architectural models. But gosh it is so useful. Totally recommend
I know nothing about carpentry, but the youtube algorithm brought me here. This was great. I’m thinking why do they not teach this in school.
Extend and Hang your snap line to the "pivot” at the top of the square, you now have plum and angle level utilizing the degrees along the bottom of the square.
fredrick brown..another one of my favorite tricks with a speed square. I’m surprised it wasn’t in the video
I have done the same thing!!!
I grew up teaching myself how to measure and cut etc. Just basic stuff to get by. When I got to high school I was introduced to a speed square and let me tell you, I felt like a newborn like these things existed? Lol but definitely one of my favorite tools
I just watched 3 other videos on how to use a speed square. Yours was shortest but most informative. 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Great video and fun too. I find mine really useful for small length measuring, easier than a tape. Also, make sure the base is 1/8 of an inch, makes it easier to adjust your measurement when the square is standing on the base.
Good information, straight and to the point. But it's still better to use a framing square for rafters since the extra length allows you to mark the drop and width of your rafter tail easier. Not to mention they have the step down for common pitch roof hips on them. Do a video on them
I used mine to open a gallon paint can once
Thanks for letting us know
I killed a snake with mine once.
I wasn't gonna tell anyone but I ninji stared mine at a guy and decapitated him once or twice
Pretty funny
Awesome, 4yo qnd still showed me more than other recent ones. You the man.
Framed so many house when I was younger that I lost count. Speed square is a must. Licked the video, even though we do things differently. Neither is correct or neither is wrong just different. Stay healthy my friend.
The best video I’ve seen on said tool man. Some reason nobody else can use a pencil n strike lines with that thorough n complete of explanations. Well done 👍
I just want you to know how much your video helped me. I was able to build perfect rafters on my addition. Im an amateur caprenter, but im one major step ahead because i can properly read a speed square, as opposed to using as nothing more than a straight edge to get a line.
You can also drill holes in it to act as a template to pre drill holes into decking boards etc. Works a treat especially for a perfectly square and even set out board
I have no idea why this video was recommended to me (i'm the furthest thing from carpenter) but god damn was it fascinating anyways
The furthest thing from a carpenter? A peace of wood?
A lot of guys that call themselves carpenters are not carpenters either....so no harm
Matter of fact you are now more educated about how to use a square than probably 95% of “carpenters”
I just bought a miter saw and got this
Cursing necessary?
I'm in that same department 😂
The only complaint I have is that when you're making a cut on a board with a skilsaw, the base plate of the saw should be on the longer portion of the board to keep the cut smoother and helps protect not only the blade from unnecessary wear from blade flutter but also less wear on your saw's bearings from blade flutter.
I know your comment is 2+ years old but for anybody else reading this, old mate’s above comment is really only applicable to people with little to no experience using circular saws. It’s not difficult to learn to hold your saw flat to a board with very little baseplate purchase on that board. It really just comes down to experience and practice.
Try getting an 'other handed' skill saw. I am constantly cutting from thin edge.
I loved this and learned without having to ask my "merciless" sons! :-)
What
Thanks man ! I’m getting ready to build my backyard shed and you just made it a WHOLE LOT EASIER! Cheers
CMF
Thank you for the video. I'm an average DIY guy with several of these and only knew a few tricks. My dad and I struggled for hours on how to do a birds mouth. Wish we saw this video 6 years ago! LOL
I used to build houses and after hits in the Army I started working in a weld shop the boss looked at me like I had a third eye when I brought my speed square to work next thing I know we have speed squares all over the shop
That is awesome, Don.
Angles? Not sure what else it would be good for. Tubing has radius so it rarely grabs the edge right. Maybe you're referring to a shop that uses inches over feet values such as in a structural beam shop.
@@BGraves ummm, he didn't imply that he was working with round pipe. Speed square would have as many uses on metals as well
Use mine on pipe...have cut the "corner" out to measure ya 90 running socket pipe!
Yea dude, I'm an industrial maintenance technician at a heat treat facility and I use mine atleast once or twice a week when I'm fabricating something
My first day as a carpenter, the master carpenter I was working with threw my speed square across the job and handed me a framing square. He said a speed square was for marking 90 degree cuts and that a real conventional roof framer should use a framing square. I still use the speed square when accuracy isn't as necessary, but in exposed conventional rafter framing, a framing square and a small sharp pencil are definitely a requirement.
What a dick! I'm a master carpenter with 42 years experience and a degree in construction technology and I've used a speed square exclusively to do cut roofs, including hip roofs. I even have a larger speed square for 2 x 8 and larger stock. I've only met one person in my entire career who used an Essex board table for rafter layout (that's what the layout table is called on a framing square) and he was in his seventies back in the early eighties. I use my framing square to do stair layout (with stair buds) along with a big pair of calipers to keep everything consistent.
Great video... Thanks! However, when using the square to square/cross cut a board, I think it's safer to hold the square on the side of the board closest to you, rather than on the side away from you. It does a much better job of keeping your hand out of the path of your circular saw. You're pushing the saw away from your hand, rather than toward it. :-)
Ok, so that’s not a bad idea for safety... but when using a standard saw (blade on the right) set at full depth, the motor housing will hit your hand and cause you to mess up the cut. I like to hook on the far side of the board for that reason. Thanks for the question!
@@PerkinsBuilderBrothers That makes compete sense! I've motor housed myself a few times making such cuts. Thanks for your reply!
If you cut your hand while holding a spwwed square to cross cut then you shouldn't be using a speed square or a saw for that matter lol
Motor hits T-bar that way... Cant complete a cut on a 2x6. This is for those of us who always cut at full depth... You know us. The guys who have the guard pinned, run across 2x4 walls, sheet a 10 pitch with no kickers, and make lots of money.
@@9mmkahr sounds like you're my kind of framer!If you're using a spewed SQ too much you're not going fast enough.When some one else takes it don't replace it find better methods ex pattern Jiggs my favorite knowing lengths of pitch cuts on typically used lumber.,use tape measure make your marks., if you're looking while you cut You're not trying hard enough to be the best frame on good buddy peace ✌
Thank you so much, this video was extremely informative. I am a carpenter apprentice and still learning. This video helped to make me more quicker and accurate with my cuts on the job
As an electrician we don’t really use a speed square. So I don’t have very much experience with that and I always wondered how to properly use a speet square. I am only 20 years old with four years in the electrical field so this is still very new to me to certain point of the construction scenario. Watching this video has really given me a lot of knowledge and it is a great informational video how to use the speed square thank you very much.
Focus on learning how to use a broom first.
I learned something really nice right tehre. You place the pencil before the square so you dont have to think about the thickness of the tip. Wish i thought of this years ago
My diy roof repair job is slightly less shittier now thanks to this video.
Diy roof is the best
I'm glad you mentioned throwing the Speed Square. I've had to kill many a zombie with one. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I have a speed square, but mostly use it as just a square for making 90 degree cuts. I'm learning the guitar, and think about Jaime every day with his challenge. Thank goodness for that Naked Prosthetic device. Mike in Oregon
For someone who knows how to use a speed square, I appreciated learning about the Ninja Star function!
These guys are the best around by far..Fantastic work always!!
Great videos! probably the best reference building my deck at!
Andres Rodriguez Uribe glad to help.. thanks for the feedback!
I literally only got a speed square to use it with a circular saw like in the video, but that angle finder feature is just awesome!
I never knew that tool had so many uses. Very impressed with this video.
Instructions unclear. I now have speed square shims hanging out of every corner of my front windows.
I hear ya, my drywall won't flush up to the window. 🤔
Lmfao that's great! I don't think many even caught that one lol
Lmao
Great video!! I've been doing construction since 1974 and still going. I always have 2 or 3 speed squares available. Really good advice. Bravo
I didn’t get a book with mine, but discovered quickly that I could use it to make straight cuts with my circular saw., I’m almost at the stage of making rafters for my kids treehouse, so thanks for this tutorial.
SPEED SQUARE also good to check saw blade is 90°
heh. never thought of using it as a note pad. thanks for the tip.
I love this tool. I also use it for calculating hypotenuse lengths:
While building an A frame swingset, I used my speed square to calculate how much longer the legs at one end needed to be in order to compensate for a 2" height difference over the span. I drew a perpendicular line on a board, scribed at 2", then drew an angled line from the first one at the same angle as my A frame, and measured the length along the angle to the scribed line. 2 ¼", no trigonometry needed!
Thanks for the video. My jaw dropped when you showed the birdsmouth. I need to do this for the slide platform of the swingset.
@@adamhull9994 gotta be a square first!
I’m an old, old school builder, pre-air, came up when sawsalls were still exotic!
You young wipper snappers are pretty damm good framers. You absolutely show it.
The thing about speed squares is that most guys who use one think that the ability to scribe a plumb cut makes them a freaking expert rafter mechanic, and over all expert builder.
IT DOSE NOT.
If using as a cut guide, turn square around so that the lip hooks the board the same way you're pushing saw= much safer ! And quit throwing your tools around.
James Sherosick I was thinking exactly that as he was doing it lol
That seems so obvious to me that I wonder why he does it the other way around. Is there something we're missing? Perhaps the board is more stable his way?
The lip on the leading edge causes issues with the blade guard, doesn't it? I understand what y'all mean about pushing, but I'd assume the reason for his method is the guard.
@@DHcrazed no not at all , as it is the table only that touches the edge of the square. The guard is an inch and a quarter inside the table.
If you are cutting a board thinner than the length of the speed square (like a 2x4), the square edge extends past the leading edge of the board giving more immediate support for the saw table. It's irrelavent in this case because the width of the board he uses for his example is wider than the square is long.
Ok so I watched this months ago and it changed my life. Humanity as a whole was uplifted with this. You know what made me a better person? That straight cut trick. I don’t cut nuthin without my speed square. Someone’s gonna see me do it like that one day and be like dam. He must be pro.
Awesome vid man.. i just learned a ton of good stuff there
Funny and informative, thank you! Has anyone noticed the aluminum Empire speed squares, at Home Depot, are not true/square? How do you screw up a product like that? If you can't return it, then it would make a great throwing star;-)
William Reynolds I knew it! Lol 😂 i though i was going crazy! Ive bought two during my apprenticeship and notice after a couple of months, you don’t get a true/square line etc.
I don’t… Lowes has gotten rid of everything they ever made that was good
Ive got one that I’ve used for years...
now you got me curious. I’ll have to check it out. Cause I never noticed
Best dam saw guide ever. Lol
75% of most framers I know don’t know how to use it correctly. But it’s funny when you give a few numbers and tell them to cut the wood.
I'm an Electrician and I love my speed square. It's great for layout and there's more than a few electrician specific tricks to them, like getting conduits running straight on unistrut quickly
Make your marks on the rack, throw up your square, butt the conduit up to the square, boom nail it - its perfectly straight.
WaWatching videos on UA-cam is how I've learned everything useful school fails to teach me...
🥃cheers🍻
I’ll never use the knowledge I just gained, but I feel better for knowing it.
I'll second that.
I am a new framing worker, and your videos hep me a lot
I prefer a compound square in my belt most of the time, it's a close competition with the speed square though. Love using it for nice sqaure free hand cuts with circ saw
Good grief.....I'm 62yo and I just learned some basic s**t! Thank you.
Never to old to learn brother
Yes but will you remember it when you need to?
@@AusWorkshop remember what? That was a joke. But you have a point.
Basic in theory....go try it 😆 takes years to become this proficient!
@@MrMoore-lr4fn yes, I just use mine for right angles and save myself a headache
I just received a set of two different size speed sqares that I ordered. Already making good use of them. Very handy and a must have.
Great video, immediately bought a speed square because of you. It’s an absolute necessary tool
"This equipment is ABSOLUTELY VITAL!"
**Throws at random earth bank**
DSSlocksmiths 😂😂😂 I dropped a 22 3/8 block on my square once and bent the crap out of it!! Never thought of using it as a weapon! There are better things in my tool bags than a square to hurt someone! 😂 I’m sure dude just did it for the video though! Squares are cheap!
I can honestly say with complete truth that I’m going to remember and more importantly use what I just learnt in your video - thanks heaps mate
🙏🏾 learn something new everyday...excellent illustration..
I’m going to Harbor Freight to pick one up today! All because UA-cam suggested your video!
that notch at the pivot point allows use to spin it around a nail and use it as a compass and there is another ruler on the "fence" leg of the square that allows you makes lines for multiple studs next to each other without using your tape
Don't forget the Cholula sauce!
Great video! Carpenters are way underpaid!
Very informative tool tutorial. I always wondered how carpenters figured out the cuts for rafters.
I think I will go out and practice that Chinese star thing with mine today. Will have the next year to learn that other stuff before building my Smoky Mountain home next year!
The saw guide is what I use my sq for the most
Well said and concise. Nice use of graphics too, they really show a picture well. Some folks know a Birds mouth as another name so, when you showed the picture/drawing of what you ment, it's like yes, the truss support. Not really, but we get it. Thanks, Jim Tree
Good video, many years back I had to learn these things on my own...mostly
Also inner edge on the side with a lip edge near the pivot point is a 1/4" scribe, and the other inner edge on other non lip edge is a 1" scribe, this works with squares that don't have those other scribe teeth as well, also the edge right before the teeth is a 3/4 inch scribe, many square also have a 1/2" scribe hole somewhere on it. A carpenters pencil can be used as a 1/2" scribe on the thicker edge and a 1/4" scribe on the thinner edge. If you cut the pencil right you can use the drawing tip as a 1/8" scribe just by trimming it to a point in the exact center of the thinner edge and holding it right, this can then be flipped to the wider side to be used like a 1/4 scribe in the same manner. There are some other nifty ways to hold it (using an extended ridged finger as a guide) or trim the point in different ways for other easy scribe measurements.
This is the most awesome video man I been in the construction/roofing for about 2years and no one taught me how to use a speedsq quite like this...after watching this video I’m starting to think some knew and didn’t want to teach...some just had it for show and other didn’t know shi. I will definitely recommend your video to anybody just starting out...I’m not a good teacher when it comes to shi so ...this will definitely be a go to video for reference and or otherwise ty man. Definitely liked and I’m already subscribed.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽💯💯💯🦾🦾🦾
They also make good emergency pry bars for when you forget to use the square to flush boards before nailing.
I like to hold the blade while I cut my wood, THANKS - Good vid, thanks :)
I watched you guys build the house in the national forest …NOC…. Its rare that I watch a contractors video from beginning to end, but I gotta say I found you guys amusing and talented doing it all but electrical and plumbing. Its amazing how much pain Jason has for painting. Who knew?
Yes the red bull is a essential gets me through a lot of days
I'm fascinated with thise things. So useful.
3:11 thats a 50° line in relation to that edge of the board... its 40° in relation to the vertical edge!
Yes you are correct
The knowledge. It fills me.
Extremely useful video. Thank you for this. Now i don´t have to pretend!!
This ^ is the upside of the internet.
Awesome. Thank you.
Excellent tutorial, did not know the scribing feature. Thanks
Love the measurement writing tip!
Good knowledge and a great sense of humor
One thing you forgot...Hot sauce with your Left, Pee with your Right...
You're a natural. Informative and interesting.
Thank you! We appreciate that!
Such helpful, knowledgeable information on how to use this little tool, especially useful for a beginner ... thanks! (By the way, a "tape" measure uses a tape that extends from the case ... the measuring edge of this tool is a "ruler.")
Thank you bro...
OmG , my nephew is
thick as a brick and iv looked
for a vid like this !!
👍☘️👍☘️👍☘️👍☘️👍
Great crash course fellas! Thanks!
I have no interest in the speed square, just watching cause I love the fact that your in the middle of a forest with a digger, making what ever you want.
Awesome... thanks
Also....you + are = you’re....not “your”. As you were private!