Angle square recommendation

Re: Angle square recommendation

Mark Nowicki

If "angle square" is what I call a "speed square" then

Swanson, Johnson Level and Tool, Empire, DeWalt, Irving, Stanley.

Easy to make one from scrap using the Pythagorean Theorem.

Or maybe ?

Clifton C

A "sliding T bevel" ?

Re: Angle square recommendation

William Duffield

It's not clear to me which Bridge City tool is the object of your desire. Clarification might help me offer an "equivalent" tool that might meet some or all of your needs.

If you mean the AS-24 Adjustable Square,

https://bridgecitytools.com/products/as-24-adjustable-square

I don't know of any equivalent, but a Starrett rule with protractor head would probably satisfy you. They can be obtained used for a lot less than this new one,

https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-CPR-1224S-Reversible-Combination-Protractors/dp/B000VDTIPE/

…and are as accurate as the Bridge City tool porn model, especially since Economaki suggests you use the Starrett tool to set the angle of the head on his out of production square.

I have paid quite a bit less than a Ben Franklin for a 12" Starrett 4R rule with three heads (combo, center finder and protractor) at an old tool sale and auction. Starrett rules in 16" and 24" lengths that will fit the protractor head are also available on the used tool market. A used 24" satin chrome Starrett rule will probably be a bit harder to find. Amazon offers them for $123 new.

this thing

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.



it would have been mighty handy on the corner cupboard

Bridge City calls it a "miter square". maybe it has another name. Maybe I can make one from a piece of brass and a stick of wood.

Re: this thing

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

This is more cost-effective - made by Shinwa ...

Lee Valley sell this one ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

where to buy Shinwa?

Re: this thing

Sgian Dubh

Bill, I've never heard of those called an 'angle square' before. They've always only been known (to me anyway) as a mitre square, although you might be more familiar with it spelled miter, ha, ha. Slainte.

Superduper fancy "angle square"

Mark Nowicki

Re: where to buy Shinwa?

Mark Nowicki

Rockler shows them on their website, so does LeeValley.

Lee Valley of course.........

roger lance

just resist trying to improve it......

look under Japanese-style layout squares........

Re: Angle square recommendation

William Duffield

Oops. Don’t know why I defaulted to “adjustable.” Woodcraft also carries the Shinwa. If you need adjustable, Mark’s suggested Stanley #25 sliding bevel should work fine.

Re: this thing

Jim O'Connor

I have one made by Marples that I probably got 30 years ago. I use it in preference to a "speed square" for most things.

I like the looks of the Marples

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

but can't find a source. I may make one.

Re: Angle square recommendation

John in NM

Sounds like they've given you several options for what you're looking for.

If for some reason you look for a machinist's protractor square like the Starrett (other companies make them for less $$$ too), look for one where the scale passes through the head rather than on one side - Starrett makes both types and the pass through type is more useful (to me anyway) because you can flip it over for the mirror image rather than having to reset the angle. The one sided type has its uses too, but having owned both I prefer the pass through kind.

Re: I like the looks of the Marples

Rum

Not a source as such, but some pretty pictures to drool over.

http://www.williammarplesandsons.com/squares-and-bevels.html

There is always Colen Clenton

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

We have the two top makers of squares in the world in Oz: Colen Clenton and Chris Vesper. They both make anything similar from Bridge City look amateurish

Below is an old photo. The square and mitre square are Colen Clenton’s work, while the sliding bevel square is Chris Vesper.

I have a couple of Colen’s mitre squares, a large and a small. The large was a trade he made for a marking knife and awl set, which I used to build many years ago (Chris Vesper now builds the design). The small was part of a prize for a tool competition in Australia several year ago. Lucky me - these jewels are expensive!

The sliding bevel by Chris Vesper is seriously good, and I have not regretted the cost.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: I like the looks of the Marples

Garthinsandiego

Available on Amazon for about $20. Likely find used ones on Ebay.

Re: Angle square recommendation

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

Miter/mitre (depending on country) square is the "official" name, and one I've found amusing, since it's hardly square.

I agree that they're useful. If you don't use it often, an adjustable bevel that holds its position solidly, and, for setting the angle, a combination square on which you've tested and confirmed the accuracy of the 45 degree side, or a drafting triangle, will do the job.

with a little patience, you could find one on eBay for an affordable price. I just now looked, and found two had sold recently for $10.50 and $16. Were I seeking a vintage, I'd go for the Stanley with the cast iron stock (handle part); less likely to encounter warping.

Quality engineer or machinist square 

Re: Angle square recommendation

ebd

I like this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CMRSRG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1