Wooden Shop Squares

Squares of all kinds are an important shop tool. but sometimes just the exercise of building your own tool helps you better understand that tool on a deeper level. A couple months ago Chris Schwarz over at Pop Wood Magazine got my attention when he started blogging about a square Patrick Leach posted on his monthly tool list. They were calling it an English Layout Square.

I don’t make a habit of building things from magazines but I became kind of enamored of this square from first sight, and if you know me at all, you know I am a sucker for making my own tools. the largest square is the same dimensions as the one built by Mr. Schwarz. after a friend gave me an idea I decided to make a teardrop hole at the corner to hang a small plumb bob from. This made the tool not only a nice large layout square, but also upgraded it to a A-Frame level also known as a Libella.

But I couldn’t leave well enough alone there either. I wanted a smaller version so I didn’t have to juggle the larger one on smaller pieces. So I built one at half the size. Then I figured I might as well go ahead and make a Roubo style wooden try square as well. I can be nothing if not compulsive at times.

If you want to read your way through the entire build you can find lots more information on my blog located at

http://insidetheworkshop.blogspot.com/search/label/Shop%20Built%20Squares

All three squares are Mahogany and the dark wooden pins are an exotic that I am unsure of the species, (I cut them from blank brought home in a turner’s grab bag from Woodcraft) I am told the species is probably African Blackwood, but your guess is as good as mine.

The length of the arms of the large square is 21” the smaller square has 10 1/2” arms and the Roubo has a 12” blade and 8” handle.

Thanks for looking,
Cheers
Oldwolf

-- Oldwolf - http://insidetheworkshop.blogspot.com/