How to check for square, simple and effective carpentry tip

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Using nothing more than some simple timber you can accurately check for parallel and square really simply and quickly, this is by far the easiest and most accurate way for squaring up any carpentry or joinery project large and small and no tape measure is needed

Try it for yourself the next time you need to square something up

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[michaelwoffindin]

I'm in college for carpentry at the moment and my tutor recommended your channel to me for extra learning. This is a great tip and I can't wait to try it out!

[olgajoachimosmundsen]

What you didn't say, but imply is that the problem with using measuring squares, is often that though you measure the closest corner you are not really comparing corner to corner. You really only measure the first corner and rely on the straightness of the side to be accurate. To me it seems like diagonal measurements are always better when you build a square shape. Often the straightness of the sides are also less important, while diagonal is almost always an absolute.

I love your tips and tricks on putting away the tape measure. Please upload more!

[peterbell]

I see some a comment has referred to this method as back to the middle ages, some times the old ways are the best ways as Robin has just shown you can't miss read any thing this way, but you would be fumbling around with a tape. Thanks for sharing for those that need it.

[colinclayton]

Another solid video Robin, good to see old school techniques for accurate results, hope there’s plenty of young ppl on this channel to learn something simple but effective 👍

[brianwood]

Great tips from you as usual Robin. Thanks

[nevillewebb]

Great to have access to a library of tips and work arounds - thank you

[mrb]

yeh that simple and so useful in so many basic building tasks 👍

[jimlad]

Robin, thanks very much for sharing this, really useful.

[BuildWithAE]

Hi Robin that took me back to the joinery days with squaring up casements, windows and alike you would always have two of different sizes standing next to the tool box, we would cut the bottom out of the rod along the length, have a awesome weekend all the best Tony 👍

[TYLERCONSTRUCTION]

Just as the title says, simple but effective. Brilliant tip mate 👍

[johncoppock]

Many thanks Robin. Had to laugh that you already had it nearly perfectly square being a top joiner etc (In fact you seem to be top expert at all the trades.) Funny I wouldn't have thought of the piles. Please keep sharing.

[stevenm]

Nice Robin, simple and quick and very accurate.

[garyblake]

Excellent video Robin, I still teach this method at our local college. I started out as an apprentice making furniture shall we say a long time ago and when we assembled furniture we always squared up using this method, and to this day I can't think of a better method.We used to call it a pinch rod/stick method.

[themoosemansi]

Nice tip Robin every day is a school day thanks for showing .

[hotchill]

Beautiful robin this is how we square out door liners. I think I learnt that from you year's ago

[gezkelly]

Done plenty of these as said earlier 150mm
compacted 40mm down
1 layer mesh job done
You'll be using those screws under the stabbing next 😂👍

[hentnil]

Another easy way is 3 4 5, measure a triangle with 30cm side and 40cm side and when you measure 50cm between the 2 in diagonal it will be square, you can use what ever length as long as they are based on the same rule 3 4 5, as an example: 120 160 200

[firewoodwarrior]

I have used the 3-4-5 method with a measuring tape but this technique seems to be more accurate and simpler. Thank you for sharing.

[katluke]

Equal diagonals, the oldest and best way to square things up from small boxes to large foundations. 👍 On site we’d either have to work out the diagonal length to square the base up or ask the site engineer for it .

[dcdl]

Takes me back to my bench joining apprenticeship. Thanks for sharing.