Using the Square as a Straight Edge
A speed square provides a nice straight edge for drawing 45- and 90-degree angles for cross cuts. Thanks to a small lip along one side, it's easy to pull the square up snug to the edge of a board with one hand, and then draw a cut line with the other.
Using the Square as a Side Marking Tool
Sometimes I like to extend my cut line to the side or edge of a board. This is nearly impossible to do with any accuracy using a conventional tape measure or steel ruler, especially with 2x4s and 2x6s because of their rounded edges. A speed square solves the problem with the small lip along its edge, which allows you to accurately mark both the face and the side of a board in one step.
Using the Square as a Cutting Guide
A speed square is just thick enough that it makes a nice cutting guide for a circular saw. I like to clamp the square to my board first, which frees up both hands to hold the saw.
Using the Square as a Squaring Tool
The open holes in a speed square are just large enough to allow the head of a small clamp to fit inside. This means I can use the square to keep my project perfectly square while I assemble, glue, and drive fasteners. |
