Big accurate squares?

[Mark A]

I would like to buy a big accurate square for marking out, setting up my plunge saw and guiding my router. I made one a while ago out of plywood but it went mouldy with the damp over Christmas so I would prefer metal or plastic.

I've seen the Trend Router T-Square in my local tool shop for about £45 - any thoughts on it? Or is there something else I should look at?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Axminster list an Aluminium Rafter Square (600mm x 400mm) for about £23. I've no idea if good, bad or indifferent, though.

 

[Blister]

This one big enough ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-X-16-Roofi ... 1e6b7e873c

:wink:

 

[AndyT]

The much-missed Niki was good on squares: see

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/marking-square-t20272.html

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post138303.html

 

[Karl]

This one big enough ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-X-16-Roofi ... 1e6b7e873c

:wink:

He said accurate #-o

My experience of those things is that they are very far from accurate - one of them was out by 1/4" over 18".

 

[ProShop]

The much-missed Niki was good on squares: see

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/marking-square-t20272.html

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post138303.html

Another vote for the late Niiki.

 

[Mark A]

This one big enough ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-X-16-Roofi ... 1e6b7e873c

:wink:

He said accurate #-o

My experience of those things is that they are very far from accurate - one of them was out by 1/4" over 18".

I used to have one of those framing squares but it was way out as well.

I was considering the Trend I linked to above as it will be used as a guide for sawing and routing, as well as for general marking out, so it must be rather substantial, reasonably long and and also have a fence.

The much-missed Niki was good on squares: see

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/marking-square-t20272.html

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post138303.html

Another vote for the late Niiki.

I would prefer to buy one, as opposed to making one, as I don't have any plywood or MDF spare after my entire hoard of offcuts had to be binned after Christmas

Mark

 

[lincs1963]

Try googling 'Swanson square'. The large one might be what you are looking for.
HTH Neil

 

[mickthetree]

I use one of these:

http://www.empirelevel.com/squares/raft ... /index.php

The 12" version is very handy IMHO.

 

[shipbadger]

Mark,

If you really want a big T square look for a drylining square. The blade is designed to draw across the width of a plasterboard (usually claimed to be 47 and seven eigths inches long) so is also great for marking up any other 8x4' sheet material. Mine came from Bell Tools in Gloucester and is accurate against my roofing square (the biggest square I have). A friend of mine brought his back from America as he hadn't seen them in this country. They don't seem to be very common in the shops so you may have to hunt around. I'd also looked at the Trend T square but decided it wasn't big enough for what I wanted. (I slice up lots of sheet ply.)

Tony Comber

 

[Mark A]

Hi Tony

I considered getting a plasterboard square (B&Q have one) but I don't think they're sturdy enough for guiding my router.
I think Trend sell two squares - one around 600mm and the other 1000, so I'll go for the big one.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[misterfish]

A while ago I bought a large wooden Stanley architect's t-square about 3- 4 ft long - I was lucky in that i was the only bidder and got it for only £1 and as it was local the seller delivered it. It is very useful for marking out large panels.

Misterfish