Ratdog68
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Out of EIGHT different squares I have, FIVE of them were NOT. These are not abused tools either, some are well used, but not beaten/dropped/damaged. To test them, score a line with it on a known straight-edged board/panel... flip it over and line it up on you line to score it again. If it's not square, the line will not be touching the blade.
Framing Square: Greater than 90*
To correct it, center punched the outside corner with a hand sledge to close the angle, now square. If it were off by less than a right angle, strike the inside angle corner with the center punch to increase the angle.
Of the 5 Combination Squares I have, only ONE of them was square (an old Stanley). Even one with an aircraft tool brand (again, old tool) was off. To correct them, remove the blade/ruler, there are two raised pads inside the slot which the blade is seated upon when the thumbscrew is tightened. Use a tiny file to scrub down the pad which is proud (causing the incorrect angle). Assemble/re-score/check... until the struck line marries up from both sides of the blade when held to the board/panel. Strike a new line each time after making an adjustment.
Swanson Speed Square (Cheap, orange plastic): Both of mine were spot on, needed no love.
Lesson learned, do NOT trust a new tool to be correct. One of my combo squares was virtually brand new, and was off 1/16" in 16" of length. My most used combo square was off by 1/8" in 12" of blade length. Each of these squares were less than a right angle when checked.
Framing Square: Greater than 90*
To correct it, center punched the outside corner with a hand sledge to close the angle, now square. If it were off by less than a right angle, strike the inside angle corner with the center punch to increase the angle.
Of the 5 Combination Squares I have, only ONE of them was square (an old Stanley). Even one with an aircraft tool brand (again, old tool) was off. To correct them, remove the blade/ruler, there are two raised pads inside the slot which the blade is seated upon when the thumbscrew is tightened. Use a tiny file to scrub down the pad which is proud (causing the incorrect angle). Assemble/re-score/check... until the struck line marries up from both sides of the blade when held to the board/panel. Strike a new line each time after making an adjustment.
Swanson Speed Square (Cheap, orange plastic): Both of mine were spot on, needed no love.
Lesson learned, do NOT trust a new tool to be correct. One of my combo squares was virtually brand new, and was off 1/16" in 16" of length. My most used combo square was off by 1/8" in 12" of blade length. Each of these squares were less than a right angle when checked.
