How to Use a Speed Square
The Speed Square is arguably one of the most useful tools when it comes to building. Originally designed for use in framing houses and sometimes referred to as a rafter square, it makes layout work easier. It features markings to help speed up repetitive common procedures when framing walls or cutting rafters. Although originally developed by the Swanson Tool Company, there are now dozens of companies making similar rafter squares. However, Swanson Speed Squares tend to come with more features than others.
If like me you get the Speed Square Pro it will come with Swanson’s Blue Book which contains instructions and explanations on the geometry, calculation and layout of virtually any rafter configuration. If you’re not a builder by trade and you’re framing every day, this is a fantastic resource. However, aside from framing, the Speed Square is used on almost every woodworking project I do – it’s one of my most used tools. Build Sheds, Shelves, Firewood Racks, Picnic Tables, Adirondack Chairs, Workbenches, Sawhorses. You name it, and a Speed Square will come in handy to make it.
While some people may find the markings on Speed Square a little intimidating at first, once you see how they’re used, they’re not difficult to understand. Below we explain the eight most common uses of the tool.
Mark right angles
Bradley Ford
Mark any angle
Serve as a saw operator
square joints
Marking a line parallel to an edge
Laying out the top and bottom panels for a wall
Laying out vertical cuts on the ridge and tail of rafters
Marking Birdsmouth cuts on rafters
That’s just a small sampling of what you can do with Swanson’s Speed Square. For more complex configurations, check out the brand’s Blue Book I mentioned.