English Layout Square

[horologist]

Foxtrapper,



No offense taken.


There are a few considerations.


1. Wood expansion along the grain is essentially nonexistent, across the grain could potentially be a problem. Perhaps it would have been better if I had used quartersawn lumber but I couldn’t pass up the curly maple, my one sacrifice to form over function. However as the parts are fairly narrow I would expect this error to be small.

2. Such changes are dependent on changes in atmospheric moisture. Originally the square was going to live in Florida where year round climate control would help to limit any change. However as I understand it the square is to go to the UP so this is out the window.

3. Finally, how much accuracy is required? This is not intended to be a machinist’s square, fortunately such things are rarely required in woodworking and a 21” machinists square is of little use to anyone. I’ll wager that currently this square is closer to a perfect 90 than most of the Chinese framing squares at our local big box. In a pinch if it does get out of sorts, a quick check and a few passes through the jointer will make it good as new.


Troy

[JPG]

Foxtrapper,



No offense taken.


There are a few considerations.


1. Wood expansion along the grain is essentially nonexistent, across the grain could potentially be a problem. Perhaps it would have been better if I had used quartersawn lumber but I couldn’t pass up the curly maple, my one sacrifice to form over function. However as the parts are fairly narrow I would expect this error to be small.

2. Such changes are dependent on changes in atmospheric moisture. Originally the square was going to live in Florida where year round climate control would help to limit any change. However as I understand it the square is to go to the UP so this is out the window.

3. Finally, how much accuracy is required? This is not intended to be a machinist’s square, fortunately such things are rarely required in woodworking and a 21” machinists square is of little use to anyone. I’ll wager that currently this square is closer to a perfect 90 than most of the Chinese framing squares at our local big box. In a pinch if it does get out of sorts, a quick check and a few passes through the jointer will make it good as new.


Troy

Adding to what Troy has said, it be a 'Layout Square' and will often(if not always) be used to scribe a line. There are many ways to deviate from the straightness of the square when holding the pencil(or whatever). I think Mr. Livingston is quite capable of properly compensating for any minor deviations!(or correcting them if permanent ones should occur):D

[swampgator]

And, Troy, may I agree completely that the framer's squares and the triangular layout squares in the big box stores are rarely in square. If you really want a square that is near true, get an engineer or drafting square or triangle. And, they are found at a hobby store. Amazing. Have a Craftsman 24" square and a Johnson's 12" square that are out of square from the store. Have tried to correct them but they won't have it. So, they rarely get used.

[JPG]

And, Troy, may I agree completely that the framer's squares and the triangular layout squares in the big box stores are rarely in square. If you really want a square that is near true, get an engineer or drafting square or triangle. And, they are found at a hobby store. Amazing. Have a Craftsman 24" square and a Johnson's 12" square that are out of square from the store. Have tried to correct them but they won't have it. So, they rarely get used.

Bet Troy's is square!!!!;)

Wanna have fun some time, take a few squares off the rack and ask a clerk which one is 'correct'.

[horologist]

And, Troy, may I agree completely that the framer's squares and the triangular layout squares in the big box stores are rarely in square. If you really want a square that is near true, get an engineer or drafting square or triangle. And, they are found at a hobby store. Amazing. Have a Craftsman 24" square and a Johnson's 12" square that are out of square from the store. Have tried to correct them but they won't have it. So, they rarely get used.

Good point. I used to have some nice drafting triangles that I used to set up the miter gauge with the sanding disc to get near perfect miter joints on picture frames. They aren't as durable but are very accurate.

Bet Troy's is square!!!!]

It is a reasonable approximation to square. At least it won't crack when it is dropped.

I like the idea of asking which is correct, but these days it isn't all that difficult to confuse the clerks in the big boxes. A while ago I asked where the files were in a local HD and created all sorts of confusion.

My wife's horse also managed to get kicked by a horse and Cathy was instructed to go to the local Ace and ask for Wonder Dust. She said that she got some odd looks until she found someone that had actually heard of the stuff. Every day I become more convinced that you can find just about anything at an Ace Hardware...

[JPG]

Good point. I used to have some nice drafting triangles that I used to set up the miter gauge with the sanding disc to get near perfect miter joints on picture frames. They aren't as durable but are very accurate.



It is a reasonable approximation to square. At least it won't crack when it is dropped.

I like the idea of asking which is correct, but these days it isn't all that difficult to confuse the clerks in the big boxes. A while ago I asked where the files were in a local HD and created all sorts of confusion.

My wife's horse also managed to get kicked by a horse and Cathy was instructed to go to the local Ace and ask for Wonder Dust. She said that she got some odd looks until she found someone that had actually heard of the stuff. Every day I become more convinced that you can find just about anything at an Ace Hardware...

Surely you did not ask for a bastard file?:D

[burkhome]

Good point. I used to have some nice drafting triangles that I used to set up the miter gauge with the sanding disc to get near perfect miter joints on picture frames. They aren't as durable but are very accurate.



It is a reasonable approximation to square. At least it won't crack when it is dropped.

I like the idea of asking which is correct, but these days it isn't all that difficult to confuse the clerks in the big boxes. A while ago I asked where the files were in a local HD and created all sorts of confusion.

My wife's horse also managed to get kicked by a horse and Cathy was instructed to go to the local Ace and ask for Wonder Dust. She said that she got some odd looks until she found someone that had actually heard of the stuff. Every day I become more convinced that you can find just about anything at an Ace Hardware...

case in pointhttp://www.acehardware.com/search/index.jsp?kw ... 0butt&sr=1

[horologist]

Surely you did not ask for a bastard file?:D

Of course, why not?
And stop calling me Shirley.

case in pointhttp://www.acehardware.com/search/index.jsp?kw ... 0butt&sr=1

Exactly, although I hope I never find out what this stuff is for.

[JPG]

case in point http://www.acehardware.com/search/index ... 0butt&sr=1

A space inserted between the t in point and the h in http would create a link and not require copying/pasting to git a look!

[roy_okc]

That is beautiful. If I received something like that, I'd have a hard time actually using it instead of hanging it on the wall as art. (Who is Art and why would I hang him on the wall? ;^)