10 Best Speed Squares of 2022 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Velocity squares are an essential device for any carpenter or woodworker. Even if you’re just a property DIYer, velocity squares may possibly flip out to be a single of your most-employed resources. Despite how they usually look, speed squares have an prolonged selection of functions and attributes. They are not all made equivalent.

Choosing the correct speed sq. for your circumstance is vital. It can be the distinction among a pressure-totally free task and 1 riddled with headaches.

To support you select the best pace sq., we place with each other a listing of evaluations, as effectively as an in-depth manual to buying for speed squares. With any luck ,, this information assists you type by way of the broad selection of speed squares on the market.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 10 Best Speed Squares – Reviews 2022

1. Johnson Level & Tool Rafter Angle Square – Best Overall

The Johnson Amount & Resource RAS-one Rafter Angle Square is low-cost and uncomplicated. However, when it comes to tools like these, simple is nearly constantly much better. It is correctly created and genuinely sq., so you will get accurate measurements every single time. The reliable aluminum body is created with CNC machined edges for outstanding longevity and precision. If you need to be appropriate in all your measurements, this is the speed sq. to get.

The edge of this square is very thick, allowing you to use it as a information for your noticed simply. This characteristic functions especially effectively for crosscuts and angled cuts. Of course, you can use the square indirectly as effectively by scribing notches and drawing lines on your workpiece.

Like most squares, this one particular has scales for slicing hip, valley, and jack rafters. If you are a rafter, this resource is useful. However, even if you aren’t, this square can increase your effectiveness and precision.

The numbers are graduated, so they are easy to read through. Steady scribing notches are also provided, producing it feasible to rip boards of specific dimensions swiftly. The total resource is coated in a lower-glare protecting powder. However, we uncovered that this coating is not as resilient as we would have favored.

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2. Swanson Tool S0101 7-inch Speed Square – Best Value

This Swanson Instrument S0101 seven-inch Pace Square is low-cost and efficient – two of the crucial features to appear for when getting a speed sq.. It has been crafted in the United states of america since 1925, so the design has been completely examined by time. You can use this nifty device as a miter sq., saw manual, and line scriber. This is one thing you’d want to have at your facet in the course of each project.

This speed square involves the pocket-sized Swanson Blue E-book, which is a total guidebook to using the resource. It explains how to make the correct angle cuts for any pitched roof – an crucial skill for rafters. This blue guide is extraordinarily higher-high quality and possibly really worth the low price by alone.

There is a diamond cutout for straightforward rafter seat cuts. You may possibly not use this characteristic often. But, when you do, you’ll be content that it is there. There are graduations provided for producing frequent, hip, valley and jack rafters. Although this is a regular feature for all velocity squares, it is still a very good concept to double-verify that these measurements are there. The graduations are fairly simple to read through as effectively, which aids guarantee that you stay accurate. Overall, this is a single of the best pace squares for the cash on today’s marketplace.

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3. DEWALT Aluminum Rafter Square – Premium Choice

This DEWALT DWHT46031 Aluminum Rafter Sq. is expensive. Nonetheless, in this circumstance, you are obtaining what you spend for. It is a extremely effectively put collectively speed sq., which is a huge explanation why the value is so considerably increased than other alternatives.

The white quantities on the black track record are fairly easy to study, even though we have witnessed much better types. Yellow would have been a far better choice, but we don’t have also many problems. The quantities are etched and stamped on, so they need to keep on for fairly some time. Even so, we did discover that the paint tends to chip rather swiftly, so they could wear off more quickly than you’d like.

One particular thing we did not like about this product is that it doesn’t appear with any notches. Nevertheless, no everyone needs notches, so this is not essentially a damaging for every customer. Novices would very likely gain from choosing a velocity square with some notches, even so.

We did like how ideal this sq. is. As far as we could tell, everything need to be correct enough for practically all utilizes. It performs the identical as other high quality velocity squares.

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4. VINCA ARLS-12 Aluminum Rafter Carpenter Square

This VINCA ARLS-twelve Aluminum Rafter Carpenter Square is really big, which can be beneficial for larger parts of wooden and comparable huge items of perform content. Not everybody is going to need a square as huge as this. However, if you commonly carry all around 2-pace squares, this one particular might remove the want to do that. This velocity sq. also involves a number of scales, eliminating the want to do calculations in your head even though measuring.

The figures are deeply etched to make sure that they really don't rub off. The yellow quantities on the black track record are elementary to read through. This was one of the best to read velocity squares we reviewed.

The thick aluminum entire body is quite resilient and will not bend. We anticipate that this pace sq. ought to stand up to very a bit of punishment—plan for it to final very a even though. The broader foundation also makes it possible for it to supply a more stable grip on your workpiece, preventing slippage and unneeded errors. Of system, a rafter conversion table is also integrated.

Although this 12-inch aluminum square is more time than most, it is not really twelve inches, in spite of the title. However, we doubt this will be a problem for most end users.

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5. Empire Level Heavy-Duty Magnum Rafter Square

The Empire Degree 2990 Large-Duty Magnum Rafter Square is yet another aluminum velocity square. As you might imagine, like a lot of of the other individuals we reviewed, the aluminum building makes it really durable and weather resistant. It is not going to rust, as opposed to some of the squares produced out of steep. The forged tip enables for a secure grip and removes stripping – the very last thing you want when functioning on a task. It is also built for drops and will not bend and split. If you program on utilizing it as a noticed information, the thicker edge helps make it excellent for this use. Like almost all squares on the marketplace, this 1 also arrives with conversion tables printed immediately onto it.

A single of the items we didn’t like about this pace square is that the measurements are only engraved, they aren’t painted or stamped on. This decreases visibility a little bit, which can be a difficulty for some consumers. This could not be an situation for you all the time, but the final point you want is to misread the numbers whilst producing a measurement.

The edges are also really sharp. They can minimize you. You have to be watchful with this instrument, even though velocity squares are not normally harmful.

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6. IRWIN Tools 1794463 Rafter Square

At first glance, this IRWIN Resources 1794463 Rafter Sq. appears superb. It has a blue qualifications and yellow measurements, which are extremely obvious. This is a single of the simplest to read squares we reviewed. The color combos have been a perfect selection. Like most squares, it will come with numerous scales and characteristics rafter tables. It will come with essentially every little thing you would expect a sq. to have.

But, that is about the place the excellent issues about this square end. It is quite high-priced, which we discovered pointless for the functions it offers. It isn’t a excellent square but is almost 2 times the price of other folks. We suggest saving you income and acquiring a sq. of equal good quality for much cheaper.

The pivot position is also little. The sq. claims “pivot” on it, with a tiny arrow pointing towards the gap. Even so, the gap that is supposed to be the pivot is significantly way too little for virtually all pencils and other marking devices. You’d require a mechanical pencil with a very little direct to use it. This isn’t a large dilemma, but it can be quite bothersome.

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7. Stanley Premium Adjustable Quick Square

The Stanley forty six-053 Top quality Adjustable Rapid Square has a nifty little arm that can assist you discover angles. This is a unique function and one that we did not see in any of the other squares we reviewed. If this sq. was effectively manufactured, it probably would have landed extremely substantial on our list. However, it is not a good quality sq. and most likely is not the best selection for most men and women.

It is created out of aluminum, which is wonderful. We favor this material to metal since it won’t rust and is a lot far more weather conditions-resistant. The black entire body makes the yellow measurements extremely effortless to read, even in reduced light-weight conditions. It characteristics all the measurements you are going to need and all the scales usually provided on a velocity sq..

In spite of this, however, we do not suggest it for a couple of various reasons. It is not extremely great at aiding you make exact straight traces, however it does angle lines really nicely. You may stop up carrying close to two squares simply because of this, and at that stage, you may as well just commit your money on a good quality, all-in-one particular square instead of acquiring this one.

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8. Mr. Pen Metal 7 Inches Rafter Square

For the price of 1 speed sq., you can get two when you buy these Mr. Pen Metallic 7 Inches Rafter Squares. Both of the squares are the very same. You are not receiving two equipment, just an extra replicate. This can be useful for some situations, though, considering that pace squares are beneficial for so many diverse items. You may decide to maintain the tools in two different areas to make sure you constantly have 1 when you want it, or you may just keep one as a backup.

The two are made of aluminum, generating them decently temperature resistant. They incorporate all the features and measurements you would expect a pace square to have. Nothing is remaining out. An e-guide is included as effectively, nonetheless, it’s not substantially large top quality. You could most likely locate all the information it consists of on the world wide web for totally free. In our view, it was not a substantial reward.

Nonetheless, neither of these squares are really exact or exactly sq.. This can lead to inaccurate cuts and measurements. It is also a bit lumpy and does not seem to be precisely flat either. A square that can’t be utilised for precise measurements is worthless, which is why this established appears so significantly down on our checklist.

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9. WORKPRO Speed Square

For the price of a larger-end pace square, you can purchase this tiny measurement toolset that involves the WORKPRO Speed Square. It arrives with a velocity square and a blend sq. – two resources that woodworkers and carpenters require. This can be a fantastic way to help save cash, specially if you are a newbie. Even so, do not be so quick to rush out and purchase this set. There had been really a few things we didn’t like about it.

To make it obvious: the speed square alone is not poor. It has a blue qualifications with white measurements, which is straightforward to see. It is quite tough and created of aluminum. All the measurements you require on a pace square are provided. But the blend sq. was not substantial top quality at all. It is not totally sq., making the measurements somewhat off. It also has a bit of a bow to it, which can be a massive difficulty during specific tasks.

In the end, we suggest getting a less expensive pace square that is just as great as this a single and then employing the additional money to acquire a usable mix square. This established just isn’t a very good benefit for your greenback.

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10. Milwaukee Magnetic Rafter Square

This Milwaukee MLSQM070 Magnetic Rafter Sq. is decidedly much less common than some of the other people we reviewed. Right after some inspection, we located out why. The white numbering on the pink history is not as simple to see as some other colour mixtures. We located it hard to read in numerous various mild problems. It does arrive with magnets, which is a good contact. This enables you to stick it immediately to the aspect of your workbench. But the magnets are not excellent sufficient for all uses.

While the measurements are laser etched, the etching is quite inadequate. It is not resilient at all when compared to other people we reviewed, so do not assume the figures to keep readable for lengthy. Readability is an vital function of any speed sq., so this is a substantial explanation why it ended up in tenth place on our list.

Buyer’s Guide

In spite of their simplicity, these instruments range quite a bit from model to product. Luckily, there are only a few crucial attributes that issue when it will come to these equipment. If you can preserve your eye out for them, you can simply pick the best velocity sq. for your circumstance.

Underneath, we’ll go into some of the crucial characteristics to hold in thoughts even though shopping.

Material

The content a velocity sq. is produced out of is heading to have a direct influence on its sturdiness. These functional tools get employed a good deal, so they get quite a bit of dress in-and-tear. If they are made out of reduced-good quality materials, they may possibly use down and become unreadable right after only moderate use.

Aluminum is the best materials a speed square can be manufactured out of. It will not rust and is decently temperature-resistant so that you can use it in an array of environments. At the exact same time, it is resilient and can endure most drops. Aluminum doesn’t bend super easily in most conditions. This substance is also very lightweight, producing it effortless to maintain your velocity square following to you at all instances.

Luckily, most squares are manufactured out of aluminum right now. So, in all probability, you can discover an aluminum square for your scenario. We suggest just skipping other materials in most instances. Just help save by yourself some trouble and go with aluminum.

Accuracy

Velocity squares are designed to offer you with measurements extremely speedily. If they are not accurate, they simply cannot do this, turning them into generally until hunks of steel. Being exact is 1 of the essential attributes of a sq.. With out accuracy, none of its other characteristics are heading to make a difference.

Most speed squares are quite precise – adequate for most utilizes in any case. The average homeowner does not require absolute perfection when it arrives to their speed squares. Currently being somewhat off is heading to be outstanding for most projects. Even so, some do demand a lot more perfection than other people. For illustration, most woodworking requires complete precision. In any other case, your task is not heading to switch out fully wrong in the end.

Ahead of you acquire a speed square, you should know what level of accuracy you are looking for. Precise squares are heading to be larger-quality in basic, producing them a lot more costly. You really don't want to devote a lot more income than you need to have to.

Readability

Even if a pace square is exact, it is not going to be specifically beneficial if you can not go through the numbers. Since of that, numerous businesses etch the quantities into each sq. on top of painting them on. This tends to make them simpler to study and keeps them readable for a extended time.

Nonetheless, however, some hues are simpler to study than other folks. Several companies use a darker track record and some sort of lighter coloring on their squares. This is typically quite straightforward to go through, generating it an exceptional decision for most men and women. Other colour combinations exist as effectively, this sort of as red and white. These are drastically considerably less straightforward to read through, although.

1 important factor of readability is how sturdy the etching is. The very last factor you want is for the figures to wear off, making it fully unusable.

Durability

The most exact, easy-to-go through square is not heading to be beneficial if it receives bent. Bent squares can not properly evaluate something. They cannot even be utilised as a saw manual. They are worthless. Because of this, you need to only obtain squares that are extremely resilient and able to endure a few drops. You will drop your pace sq. at the very least when. You don’t want it to bend when that takes place.

You also don’t want the speed sq. to get rusty or normally put on down owing to the weather conditions. This can warp it and make some of the measurements unreadable. After once more, a rusty square is not likely to be quite useful.

It can be demanding to determine out how durable a distinct square is just before you buy it. The materials it is made out of provides you a first rate idea of how tough it almost certainly is. Preferably, you want it to be created out of the most sturdy material feasible, which is usually going to be aluminum in most instances.

FAQs

Below is a listing of some of the most widespread questions we receive about pace squares.

Why is it referred to as a pace sq.?

Albert Swanson invented the speed square. It was called a speed square due to the fact it is square and made to allow you to evaluate items quickly. It is a quite easy identify, to say the least. Soon after deciding that his creation could be well worth anything, Swanson manufactured the Swanson Resource Business. Speed square is a trademark identify, which is why you won’t see other manufacturers employing it to describe their merchandise. Nonetheless, in conversational scenarios, this expression is often employed to describe this entire class of instruments.

What is the use of a velocity sq.?

Velocity squares support you get to make measurements and lower very swiftly. It is like a combination square, attempt square, and framing square all in one. They are mostly utilised by carpenters to make required measurements and marking traces. Nevertheless, they are fairly beneficial for all house DIYers. You can even use them as a noticed manual for specific minimize angles.

How thick are speed squares?

It depends. Several have different thicknesses on various sides. 1 side is frequently created to operate as a observed information, which signifies it has to be quite a little bit thicker. The other sides are typically thinner. Some are so thin that they can be very sharp, which can be a issue for some men and women. While basic safety is always vital in the workshop, no one thinks to be extra mindful with the benign pace square – till it slices your hand.

Thickness can be crucial to think about when choosing a device. Right after all, you generally really don't want a velocity sq. that is knife-sharp.

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Conclusion

Pace squares are a vital device for carpenters and woodworkers. Numerous residence DIYers will gain from these instruments as nicely, which mostly drives their acceptance nowadays.

These tools are extremely basic and straightforward. Nevertheless, they can occur with a lot of distinct characteristics, which can make it hard to decide on the best one particular for you. We hope this write-up assisted you type through all your possibilities out there.

Out of all these we reviewed, the Johnson Stage & Device RAS-1 Rafter Angle Square was the best overall. It is properly crafted, and the figures are pretty effortless to read. Total, this velocity sq. should provide you effectively for many years to occur.

For these who require to devote a little bit less funds, the Swanson Device S0101 seven-inch Speed Square. It is the unique speed sq. and is produced decently tough. It price a bit considerably less than some other possibilities, generating it a dependable selection for most DIYers as properly.