7 in. Speed Square, Rafter / Carpenter Square Layout Tool with Etched Markings and Blue Book

This speed square is the best thing on earth!! It's lightweight, durable, I can even use my plasma cutter along the side to make a straight cut without any damage to the measuring speed square whatsoever.. So many functions from square, to feet, inches, ect.. The book that comes with it is so AMAZING as it shows you easily how to convert measurements whether it be sq ft, to feet only, it gives you tips and tricks that are so helpful, I wish I had discovered this years ago, it would've saved me many mistakes on measuring propers cuts, and having to buy new boards as I messed up the angle.. It's very versatile, you can do straight lines, to angled lines, that are clean, clear & precise on measurement!!

The simple solution is the most difficult answer to find; the Swanson speed square is an excellent example of a simple solution that helps make difficult tasks easy. The Swanson speed square allows you to measure and recreate angles that are difficult to get correct. This tool helps to get the right angle the first time. The "Blue Book" helped me understand want I needed to do to get the result that i wanted.

This speed square should last a lifetime as it is very durable. You will probably lose it before it breaks. Although it is designed for contractors who do a lot of measuring for roofs, stairways, etc., I got it primarily because I have always needed a compact tool to draw straight edges and miters. The one think I like about this tool is that it has a "lip" on it, so it holds nicely against wood. It also comes with a very detailed "Blue Book" with all sorts of measurements.

I like the deep indented markings and the overall feel of the Square. The weight of the square is nice, not too light. The thickness of the square is thicker than a framing square or combination square, a saw is much less likely to ride up on top of the square. I feel comfortable using this square as a guide for my worm drive circular saw. Just be sure to hold the square securely in place, and keep the saw shoe pressed against the square throughout the cut. This square is Ideal for any 6-inch dimension lumber. The heel is wide enough and rides along the board edge smoothly when marking lines. The square’s Scribe Guide has precision cut scribe notches for marking parallel lines. The Anti-Glare matte finish is nice if you are working outside on a sunny day. You don’t get the bright reflection similar to the smooth aluminum squares. However, depending on lighting conditions, the contrast between the surface of the square and the markings is less than ideal. A bright color fill in the markings would increase the contrast from the surface of the square and improve “quick” readability.

The square is very helpful to do many DIY woodworking things. I used it to have an accurate cross cut on 2x4s and 2x8s clamping it on the wood and cutting the wood with a circular saw using the square like a fence. It’s also helpful to get an accurate 45 degree angle and mark on the wood and to join woods together making a 90 degree joint. One con is that Plain marking on the square makes it difficult to read. I compared to another square (in the images) with black markings and it is much easier to read as you work. I would recommend the black marking version for that reason (hence the 4 stars on plain)

The Swanson 7 inch Speed Square, complete with Blue book, is a great addition to any job site tool kit. The packaging is simple and sufficient for the product. Enclosed is the blue book, circa 1982, which is a valuable resource to anyone using this speed square for framing or roofing. Filled with useful calculations and uses for the tool, this little book should be part of every toolbox :) The Square itself is solid and sturdy, and is made of some kind of aluminum alloy. The finish is something that looks almost like galvanized steel. The numbering and markings are imprinted well in the surface and should be visible even when the tool eventually winds up dirty. I have had a number of speed squares over the years, and they are a very useful tool that is easy to carry around and use. This most recent addition arrived about a week ago, and it performs as expected. I would recommend this as a quality tool. The Speed Square is more accurate than I expected it to be. I compared it to a very precise welding square I have and there was no perceptible difference between the two. Overall, this is a quality piece of kit. Originally, I intended to use this for working just a replacement for one that has gotten pretty beaten up over the years. However, seeing this, I will likely move this to my welding bench.

I am not a carpenter, but with this speed square you could lay out any kind of roof system you wanted, Hip, ridge, valley, jack rafters, anything.(see photo 2) Square comes with really detailed booklet on "how to" do rafter lengths and roof construction using the "one-number" rule. The square is made of high-grade aluminum alloy. I am a wood worker, so I use this square to do my 90 and 45 degree cuts on the fly with my clamp and Dewalt 20 volt circular saw, see photo's 3 and 4. I can also use this to check my 45 and 90 degree cuts on my Dewalt 20 volt portable miter saw, see photo 3. I cut a lot of frames and as I strap them together for my pin nailer, I make sure I'm square. photo 6

you can tell when something is built right and durable. this speed square is very beefy and built to last. very rugged design. i like that all the markings on the square are very deep and actually cast into the metal so that they are near impossible to wear off over time like some squares that are only lightly etched or printed on. my favorite two things though are the 1/4 inch scribing lines since i don't normally use my speed square for rough construction but rather hobby woodworking. very handy to have those. and the other thing i really like is the blue book that breaks down using the square to set up and determine roof pitches and rafter tails. if you do this all the time then you probably wont notice or care but if it is something you are prone to forgetting because you don't do it very often then that little blue book becomes pretty darn handy.

The Swanson 7" speed square is a tool that you don't know you need until you have it. My son, who is an architect, recommended this square to help with DIY projects. I have used it to build a dog house, bedroom furniture, a 8' x 10' greenhouse and a 8' x 8' deck. This Swanson square is especially nice because of the large font measurement markings that are engraved deep into the metal so there's no wearing away. Plus, this product comes with a "Blue-Book" to describe and illustrate methods for make correct angle cuts, etc. This product is top knotch!