Truing Up a Framing Square

After having a discussion about the inaccuracies of framing squares with a viewer, I decided to demonstrate how to true up your framing square and make it exactly 90 degrees. I hope you enjoy the show and find it informative.
If you haven't already, please consider liking and subscribing to the channel and while you are at it, why not click the bell to get notifications of future episodes of the show.
As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by the channel and tune in to today's episode. It is truly appreciated.

[Wesdoesit]

Yoooo!!! Some real gems here! I have 3 rusty squares in my shop and I had no idea! Thanks man, this helps a ton!

[dennishall]

Who knew! Guess I thought a square was just square. I'm headed to the shop to check my squares! Thanks Kenny!

[jimpalmer]

Kenny, another great show. I saw this about 20 years ago and was reminded when you showed this method. I am heading to the shop and check my squares for square. Has been too long since I verified they are accurate. Thank you.

[bobwebberkc]

Love it Ken! I’ve been restoring old discarded tools for years thanks for all you do!

[markduggan]

That was informative as always. Thank you for all you do.

[barry.w.christie]

I never knew about this trick, but I do understand the reason it works, still a cracking tip 👍

I'm a bit behind, so I now have 14 of your videos to watch ... Christmas has come early 😀

[DeanStampfli]

I will be the picky one that points out that the first two lines you drew were on opposite sides of the blade.

Sometimes the blade edges aren’t parallel, so that could be a problem - and you didn’t address that possibility.

Your method for correcting is a good one. Just check both sides of that blade! 😆

[barryroberts]

Nice work Kenny, i have read and seen about this technique before but i have to say you have done a great job with both of them, especially the one you inherited from your neighbour 😄
Take Care and Stay Safe.
Barry (UK) 👍

[KENMCCRORIE]

That was neato. I never knew you could do that. Now I have to go check mine now. Thanks for the info,

[thelionsdencreations]

This was a really helpful and interesting video! I sure learned something! I have never even seen or heard of this technique. And super helpful as mentioned, I have a big 900mm Hultafors framing square that is a bit out of wack, if I wasnt so tired I would run out to the shop and try to true it up right now :D
Thanks Kenny and take care!

[meawayfromhome]

Thanks Kenny, it”s always cool to be square. Good tips thanks.

[michaelmarchione]

Were you adjusting a steel or an aluminum square? That trick does work very well. I used to use a steel square for carpentry at home, but at the ironworks we used aluminum squares. They would take a lot of abuse against the beams or what ever when we were laying out or fitting up structural steel. There was a master square in the stockroom for us to check our squares against. We would make bevel squares out of the bad ones. QA wouldn't let us correct them. I had a really nice steel square years ago that was true until I left it in the hot sun when I was working on the house. It wasn't 90 anymore and it warped a little. Bevel square time lol! I was going to adjust it like you just showed us, but I need a larger bevel square anyway lol. This a great show for those that have given up on a framing square not being true. Enjoyed, take care!

[MarkLasbyCNC]

My grand father taught me the punch trick many years ago. He would flip the square over between punches. This way you avoid the dent on the opposite side.

[floridabeardedwoodworker]

Thanks for your great videos i have learned a great deal!!

[alanwasserman]

Ken that's amazing I was always told that a framing square could never be adjusted to 90°, what I heard is that because it's for carpentry rough work (even Speed Squares are not true 90°, now I know I can take my large and medium framing squares and get them to a 90°, Ken Thanks for this awesome tip, BTW the solvent you used is Autosol? I use Naval Gel (I don't care for it the odor is horrendous and it can take 3 to 4 coats)

[paulsmessyworkshop]

Kenny. Good video and good procedure on squaring a square. I wonder if there is a way to square up a speed square? Just curious.

[davidwhiteley]

Thank you for the video. While you stated you're aren't that concerned about raising the surface of the opposote side of punch strike, there is energy going into out-of-plane deformation (the dimple). I wonder if this approach were done on a steel surface, if more of the energy would be transferred into the square and thus require a lower striking force?

[stephenclingerman]

My Dad’s and my Grandfather’s old frame squares all had those divots on them.

[DeveloperChris]

This is great I have a 500mm*300mm framers square which is annoyingly inaccurate, time to true it up. What would you recommend if the arms of the square aren't parallel? I use both the inside and outside as a square

[dannywilsher]

Wondering what effect punching the square in the exact same spot on the opposite side of the square would make... I would think it would do the same thing but not leave as big a bump on the one side...