What Is Framing Square?
What Is Framing Square?
A framing square, also known as a steel square or carpenter’s square, is a versatile tool that is commonly used by carpenters, general contractors, masonry contractors, and DIY enthusiasts. The tool is L-shaped and is mainly used to create clean angles and to measure joints, joists, and planes.
The tool’s primary advantage is its ability to identify precise and even angles. It’s usually made of aluminum or other metal and has a long arm that forms a right angle with a shorter arm.
The longer arm is typically used to measure right angles, and it also has tables and scales commonly used by carpenters in a wide range of projects.
Anyone involved in a building project or a project that requires ready access to tables and scales will find a framing square tremendously helpful in many aspects of calculating angles, cuts and pitches. The shape of the tool is often the best way to identify it.
Most of the time, it looks like two rules or flat measuring rods fastened together to create a hinge. When folded, the tool is often quite portable, and it looks a lot like a thick measuring stick. It usually unfurls to create a perfect 90° angle, which can be used to test and plot many different construction projects.
A standard framing or carpenter’s square typically measures 24 inches (60.96 cm) long by 16 inches (40.64 cm) long. The narrower arm, called the tongue, is typically 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) wide.
The wider arm is referred to as the blade and is usually 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide. However, variations are available and longer, shorter, narrower, and wider tools are available in many places.
How To Use A Framing Square
When using a framing square, pay attention to the graduated scales on the top (in fractions of an inch) and bottom (in centimeters). To measure a cut, place one arm of the square parallel to the edge of the material and use the other arm to mark the cut line.
The arm chosen for marking will depend on the length of the mark needed; use the blade for longer marks and the tongue for shorter marks. Finally, cut along the marked line.
How to Read a Framing Square
A framing square is a versatile tool used by carpenters for various building projects such as roof rafters and stairs. To use it, place it on a table with the skinny length (tongue) pointing right. The thicker, longer section is called the blade and the corner is called the heel.
On the face side, the tongue reads the eight-square scale and the blade reads the rafter tables. On the back side, the tongue reads brace measurements and the blade reads essex board measurements.
It is a handy device packed with tables, data and tricks for any carpenter.
