Make your own try-squares for woodwork.

New tools in this video (affiliate):

Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

[mightyseraz]

Nerd-tip: If you don't have a square that's appropriate for the job, measure accurately and use the pythagorean theorem or a quick and dirty 3-4-5 triangle.

[ThatFoodLife]

It's always nice when I see Paul Seller's Techniques in other folks videos. He is the OG and his techniques have been spread far and wide.

[madsighntist]

Rex, my Main Professional Woodworking was for a Hardwood Flooring Company. A very well known Master Craftsman (now deceased, RIP).

One a brazillion tips he gave me, was brought to mind, when I heard you say "Saw Dust" !!!

As we worked virtually All the North American HardWood Species (We even built a Madrone Floor once) we did the following for EVERY Floor that we needed too.
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During the Sanding Process, After the first sanding was emptied (Dirty Wood is Dirty Wood), we would Collect & SAVE about a quart of saw dust! THEN when in the shop, we would use a Flour Sifter (Wives do NOT desire you return their Sifter, BUY your Own).

Sift that sawdust. Now take the Sifted SAW DUST, put it in that "One unmatched cotton sock" leftover from the dryer eating its mate. ;-)

lay out a full sheet of newspaper, and "beat" the toe of the sock, FILLED with that sifted wood! Huh???

Now, when the cloud of dust settles, What is upon your newspaper, we in the Hard Wood Floors Industry call "Wood Fines" or "Wood Flour" depending upon your area ! ! !

this product is saved in a baby food jar, or similar small glass container. We normally worked a LOT of Red Oak, a bit less of White Oak, a bit of Maple, etc. Ten jars of Fines.

Now your use: you have a gap, inconspicuous while you are banging away at laying the floor, but a GLARING ERROR after sanding. MIX the Closest Color Fines with a wee bit of Lacquer and stuff it into that gap, let dry and it all but disappears!!!

(I personally use thin super glue after just filling that gap with Fines) then Hand sand to fit. OR Finish the whole floor.

ONLY the person who did this will ever see it. It truly disappears!

And no, I never used any "Floor Putty" pathetic stuff and nearly always comes apart from the gap.

I used this in Houses that cost 3 MILLION dollars to build, and never felt ashamed to do it. (everybody makes mistakes, a MASTER CRAFTSMAN knows how to make them disappear) !!!!

[MortillaroCustoms]

Ive been wood working for over 20 years now and have never used salt for a glue up. you just got a sub. Thank you sir.

[stanleydenning]

I'm an old skool wood worker. I like this guy.

[MichaelCampbell]

The brass adds a professional flair to it for sure.

[georgestolz]

Hi Rex. I was surprised that you didn't show how to make a square without having a square to use. By using two intersecting circles on a straight line and connecting the intersecting circles perpendicular line. Perfect right angle every time to use. Best regards

[jimcarter]

To cut bridle joint (or rip) with ryoba saw, angle woods 45 degrees toward you, saw to both line at 45 degree angle (saw level), turn over and repeat same process on other side. now level wood and flush to bottom. Try it you will be amazed how well this works. Same technique for tenons. Make both cuts at in succession on on side, to time to speed up process. This is correct technique.

[andrewchurchley]

A nice touch of honesty about what can go wrong. Then how to correct it. Gives really good insight into doing a good job. A pinch of salt too. Tasty. I'll try to remember that, thanks.

[jarvisalden]

You had me at "glue a piece of stock to your speed square"

[benm]

So, I started watching your channel when I got into woodworking 8 or 9 weeks ago. Since then I have become addicted to estate sales, have a growing collection of bench planes, and am now buying and selling enough that my growing tool collection grows at no cost to me. Thanks for all the videos.

[brw]

Brian watching you from central Brazil!
It's getting better recently, but tools and supplies have traditionally been very expensive here, so your emphasis on simple and cheap has been refreshing.
Too many American videos assume that we all have a professional grade shop. *Remove the piece from your 12 inch jointer and take it over to your bandsaw. . ." Sorry, we're lucky to have a drill and a jigsaw!
Thanks again

[CMP-trws]

I've never heard of using salt before. Thanks for the tip.

[carlpantuso]

Just made my own small square after downloading the pdf. Really didn't need the pdf, but thought I'd make a small donation to Rex for all of his hard work. That's a hint to all of you other cheap woodworkers. The square is coming out awesome. I used walnut for the handle and oak for the rule with 1/8" brass pins (3). Finishing with Danish Oil and lacquer. 2nd application of oil is drying. I'll lacquer it in a few days. Can't wait to use it in my shop. I've got a bunch scrap pallet wood to mill so I'll be putting it to good use.

[dmscheidtify]

You don't need a piece with a good edge to check a square. You just need something flat that you can put two nails in. the two nails make a line, so you don't need a reference edge. Put the square on the nails, strike a line on the rule. Flip it around, strike another line. If the lines are parallel, you're set. If they're not, figure out which way it's out, and correct it.

[FrederSnorlax]

Something about your videos gets me really excited to just make stuff even if it's not perfect. Thanks Buddy.

[kklop]

Rex, just discovered your videos and love them. A way to make a square without a square is to use a little bit of geometry...

A right triangle has a simple ratio of 3 to 4 to 5. So... if you make one limb length of 3, the other limb of length 4, and then the diagonal between the ends length 5, you will have a perfect 90 degree angle. You can also make other ratios... 1 1/2 by 2 by 2 1/2... or 6 by 8 by 10, etc.

[cefoltran]

As a child, I learned how to cut and nail wood with my grandfather. He teatched me how to use a hammer and a saw. He was a hobbyist and made me one too. With time I bought lots of electric tools that stay in the shelf. If I need some thing quick, I greab the power tool, but when I need something nicely done I get my old hand tools! I lost my grandfather 30 years ago, but when I hold a handsaw I remember his and over mine, guiding my cut throuth the wood. This series you are making brought me a good felling. Thanks Rex! Greatings from Brazil!

[tylerpupo]

I love your videos! I'm a seasoned construction worker but often find myself in your woodworking for humans playlist dreaming about making a living with minimal tools. Thanks for the tips and tricks!!!😊

[moc]

In lieu of gluing the stick on to the speed square to turn it into a try square it should be possible to stand the board on edge on a flat surface. Then the speed square could be brought into use by resting it too on the surface and bringing its edge to the side of the board.