When Is Square, Square Enough? / How To Check A Square For Square/Accuracy For Woodworking

This is how I check my squares, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, for square in my woodworking shop. It's all too easy to get caught up in spec sheet battles for bragging rights, but just how square is square enough?

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[justinjones]

In the early years of architecture schools we were taught a very particular way of drawing lines. We used “lead holders” back then and kept them needle sharp. When drawing a line you spin the pencil in your fingers as the line is drawn. This ensures that the point is work evenly and keeps the “line weight” (technical term for line width/darkness) even. A very sharp point is much better than rubbing your point to a chisel shape because a very sharp point, rotated in the fingers will draw the same weight regardless os the angle you hold it; whereas, a chisel point will vary if the angle of the pencil changes.

[robm]

I love your channel man. All the other woodworking channels try to be funny and entertaining, which has its own merits, but yours is so educational and informative. If I was going to take a woodworking class, I’d want it to be taught by you.

[Bob_Adkins]

This is a pet peeve of mine. I've bought several framing squares and other squares and had to tweak most of them. Squares have 1 job, and that's to be square. If a saw doesn't cut or a drill doesn't drill, we take it back to the store. If a square isn't square, most people don't notice or don't care. If my miter saw or saw guide cuts out of square, I can't rest until I fix it!

[loveletterhive]

I have learned so much from your videos! I am new to woodworking and since my workshop isn't heated, I have been inside absorbing woodworking tutorial videos like crazy. You have become one of my favorites because you explain everything so it is easy to follow even though you pack so much detail into your explanations. Thank you so much for your videos!!!

[littleleafwoodworking]

The deepest dives in the community. I very much appreciate it.

[treebrookwoodworks]

Thank you for the video and taking the time to make it. I learned a bit more than what I did. I've seen only a couple of your videos here and there. Keep up your thorough work. I do enjoy learning from you.

[charlessullivan]

Well done! Excellent explanation and great info as always! Looking forward to your next video!

[terrmaso]

Great breakdown as always. Just picked up the Milwaukee 4 1/2" trim square as the Woodpeckers delve square is a bit outside my budget. I actually spent about 10 min comparing squares at Home Depot by placing them edge to edge. I finally found two that allowed minimal light through at the top edge only, I purchased one of these.

[norm_olsen]

Another awesome video! It just illustrates that there is no mathematically absolute perfection, even in higher end tools. Wood working is all about tolerances and whether you can accept these or not.

[williamfotiou]

Thanks for a great tutorial. The explanation of the pencil point was spot on. I never gave the edge that much thought. Thanks

[guillermopalmisano]

Love this series. It’s been very informative

[GraffWoodshop]

Love these in depth videos. Nobody else is doing content quite like you!

[paytonjohnson]

Thank you for making videos like this. I’m a fairly new woodworker and I’ve learned how important having square material is after making a brick pattern cutting board which is about 1/32 off. It really shows up. Luckily my son liked the board enough to take it home. I need to start investing in better measurement tools.

[bossdog]

You’re a channel is so informative I really appreciate what you’re doing keep up the good work

[skippylippy]

Brilliant video, thank you.
Love this series.

[andyboybennett]

Very helpful, especially the last few minutes putting it all in practical perspective. Precision layout tools are only as useful as the cutting/planing/joinery that follows. Thanks.

[makermark]

Amazing in-depth information. Thanks for this.

[wesbrownmd]

Thanks for the content! I'd love to see the same video done for straightedges. How to test them without a known perfect reference surface, how straight is "straight enough", etc

[zanamcom]

Great information and very helpful.
Keep it up 👍

[DonsWoodies]

Very nice video. You have a great way of explaining things. I have a suggestion for a future video in the same vein as this series on precision.

As someone who spent my life in a very precise job, one of the things I see missed on so many videos talking about the subject is the need for the most precision in the beginning stages of a project to keep the tolerance creep to a minimum. The more you are off at each stage the more it compiles until it becomes impossible to get the last two pieces to fit together without a bigger hammer. I hope that made sense. I think you would do an excellent job getting that message across, most likely better than I'm laying it out here.