Try Square Vs Speed Square For Woodworking Tools – A Carpenter’S

ByJim Boslice Woodworking Tool

For fine woodworking and joinery: A try square is your best choice for checking 90-degree corners with high precision, ensuring perfect cabinet and box assembly.

For general carpentry and construction: A speed square is a versatile multi-tool for quickly marking 90 and 45-degree lines, guiding saw cuts, and finding angles for framing.

Walk into any hardware store, and you’ll see a wall of measuring and marking tools. Staring back at you are two of the most common, yet most frequently confused, tools in any workshop: the classic try square and the triangular speed square.

They both check for “square,” right? Yes, but that’s where the similarities end. Picking the wrong one for the job can lead to frustrating gaps in your joinery or crooked cuts on your framing lumber, throwing your whole project out of whack.

I promise, this guide will clear up all the confusion. We’re going to dive deep into the ultimate try square vs speed square for woodworking tools showdown. I’ll show you exactly what each tool is designed for, where it truly shines, and how to choose the right one for your next project with absolute confidence.

We’ll cover the core differences, the best real-world applications for each, and some essential pro tips on how to check them for accuracy. By the end, you won’t just know the difference; you’ll understand which square will make your work easier, faster, and more precise.

What is a Try Square? The Cabinet Maker’s Best Friend

Think of the try square as the specialist. It has one primary job, and it does that job with exceptional accuracy: checking and marking perfect 90-degree angles. It’s a simple, elegant tool that has been a cornerstone of fine woodworking for centuries.

Its design is straightforward, which is part of its charm and reliability. This is the tool you reach for when precision is non-negotiable, like when you’re building furniture, drawers, or any project where tight, gap-free joints are the goal.

Anatomy of a Try Square

A try square consists of two main parts joined at a fixed 90-degree angle:

  • The Stock: This is the thicker, heavier base, often made of wood (like rosewood) or metal. You press the stock firmly against the reference edge of your workpiece.
  • The Blade: This is the thinner, longer metal ruler part, usually with measurement markings etched into it. The blade extends from the stock to check for square or mark a line.

Core Strengths: Precision and Simplicity

The main benefits of a try square come from its dedicated design. The thick stock provides a solid, stable reference against the edge of a board, which prevents rocking and ensures your measurement is true.

Because it’s not cluttered with other features, its single purpose—being perfectly square—is what manufacturers focus on. A good quality try square, like one from Starrett or a well-made vintage one, is a thing of beauty and a tool you can trust implicitly for checking joints, machine setups, and marking shoulder lines for tenons.

What is a Speed Square? The Carpenter’s Multi-Tool

If the try square is a specialist, the speed square is the ultimate generalist. Officially called a rafter square or rafter angle square, this triangular tool is a favorite on construction sites for a reason. It’s fast, durable, and packed with features.

Invented in the 1920s, its primary purpose was to simplify complex roof framing layouts. But its usefulness extends far beyond rafters, making it an indispensable tool for DIYers and carpenters who need to work quickly and efficiently.

Anatomy of a Speed Square

A speed square is a right-angled triangle, typically made from a single piece of aluminum or steel, with several key features:

  • The Fence (or Lip): A raised edge on one side that you hook over the edge of a board, similar to a try square’s stock.
  • The Pivot Point: The corner where the fence begins, used for marking out angles.
  • Angle Markings: A protractor scale along the hypotenuse (the long diagonal edge) for marking any angle between 0 and 90 degrees.
  • Scribe Notches: Small notches at set intervals (usually 1/4 inch) that you can place a pencil in to scribe parallel lines along a board.

Core Strengths: Speed and Versatility

The name says it all. A speed square is built for speed. You can slap it on a 2×4, mark a 90-degree line, and make your cut in seconds. Its thick, single-body construction also makes it a fantastic saw guide for a circular saw, ensuring straight, repeatable crosscuts.

Its ability to quickly mark 45-degree angles for miters and lay out complex angles for rafters makes it a powerhouse for framing, deck building, and general construction tasks.

Try Square vs Speed Square for Woodworking Tools: The Head-to-Head Showdown

So, how do you decide which one to grab? This try square vs speed square for woodworking tools guide breaks down their performance in key areas. Let’s put them side-by-side to see where each one wins.

Accuracy and Precision

Winner: Try Square

For checking the squareness of a joint or the setup of a table saw blade, the try square is the undisputed champion. Its design, with a distinct blade and stock, allows you to see even the tiniest sliver of light, indicating an out-of-square condition. Speed squares are accurate enough for framing, but their thicker build and single-body design make them less ideal for high-precision joinery checks.

Marking and Layout

Winner: Speed Square

While a try square is excellent for marking a single 90-degree line, the speed square does that and so much more. It marks 90s, 45s, and every angle in between. The built-in scribe notches are a game-changer for marking rip cuts without a tape measure. It’s simply a more versatile layout tool.

Angle Finding and Complex Cuts

Winner: Speed Square

This isn’t even a contest. A try square is fixed at 90 degrees. A speed square has a built-in protractor, allowing you to quickly lay out any angle you need for miter cuts, bird’s mouth cuts on rafters, or stair stringer layouts. This is its core superpower.

Durability and Use as a Saw Guide

Winner: Speed Square

Most speed squares are made from a solid chunk of aluminum. You can drop it, toss it in your tool belt, and use it as a saw guide without much worry. A traditional try square, especially one with a wooden stock, is more delicate. Using it as a saw guide can damage the blade or knock it out of square.

When to Use a Try Square: Your Go-To for Fine Woodworking

Reach for your try square when the details matter. These are the moments where its precision will save you from headaches later on.

  1. Checking Assembled Boxes and Carcasses: When you glue up a drawer or a cabinet box, use a try square to check the inside and outside corners to ensure they are a perfect 90 degrees before the glue sets.
  2. Marking Joinery: For marking the shoulder lines of a tenon or the baseline of dovetails, a try square gives you a crisp, perfectly perpendicular line to work from.
  3. Setting Up Machinery: Use it to set your table saw blade or miter saw fence to a perfect 90 degrees relative to the table. This is one of the most important try square vs speed square for woodworking tools tips for accurate machine cuts.
  4. Checking Board Edges: After running a board over a jointer or hand planing an edge, use the try square to confirm the edge is perfectly square to the face of the board.

When to Use a Speed Square: The Workhorse for Framing and DIY

Grab your speed square when you need to work fast and tackle a variety of tasks without switching tools.

  1. Marking Crosscuts on Lumber: Quickly hook the fence on a 2×4 or plywood sheet and scribe a fast, accurate line for your circular saw or jigsaw.
  2. As a Circular Saw Guide: This is a key benefit. Hold the fence firmly against the board edge and run the baseplate of your circular saw against the square’s edge for a perfectly straight cut every time.
  3. Laying Out Miter Cuts: Need a 45-degree cut? Just use the long, diagonal edge of the square to mark your line. It’s faster than setting up a miter saw for a one-off cut.
  4. Finding Roof Pitches and Angles: For construction projects like building a shed or a deck, the speed square is invaluable for laying out the correct angles on rafters and stairs.

Best Practices and Care Guide: Keeping Your Squares True

A square is useless if it isn’t square. Both tools can be knocked out of alignment, so proper care and periodic checks are crucial. This try square vs speed square for woodworking tools care guide will help you maintain your tools for a lifetime.

How to Check Your Square for Accuracy

This is a fundamental woodworking skill. Don’t trust a square out of the box—always check it.

  1. Find a board with a perfectly straight, clean edge. A factory edge on a piece of MDF or plywood works great.
  2. Press the stock or fence of your square firmly against this edge and draw a fine pencil line along the blade.
  3. Now, flip the square over to the other side, line it up with your pencil line.
  4. Draw a second line right next to the first one.

If the two lines are perfectly parallel and on top of each other, your square is true. If there’s a V-shaped gap at either end, your square is out of alignment and should not be used for precision work.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The most common problem is dropping your square. For a speed square, it’s tough to fix, but they are so robust it’s rare. For a try square, you can sometimes gently tap the rivets with a hammer and punch to nudge the blade back into alignment, but it’s a tricky process. Often, the best fix for an inaccurate, non-adjustable square is to replace it.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tool Care

Part of a sustainable try square vs speed square for woodworking tools approach is buying quality tools that last. A well-made square from a reputable brand can last a lifetime, reducing waste.

For care, avoid harsh chemical rust removers. A simple wipe-down with a rag and some paste wax or camellia oil will prevent rust on the steel blade of a try square. If you do get surface rust, gently remove it with fine steel wool and oil. Proper storage—hanging on a wall rack instead of tossing it in a drawer—prevents dings and damage that can knock it out of square.

Frequently Asked Questions About Try Square vs Speed Square for Woodworking Tools

Can I use a speed square for fine woodworking?

You can, but with limitations. It’s great for rough marking and as a saw guide, but for checking the squareness of a delicate joint or setting up a machine, a high-quality try square will give you a more reliable result. The thickness of the speed square’s edge can make it hard to spot tiny inaccuracies.

Is a combination square a better option than both?

A combination square is another fantastic, versatile tool. It combines a ruler, a 90-degree square, a 45-degree miter square, and sometimes a level and scribe. It can do many of the jobs of both a try square and speed square, making it a great first square to buy. However, a dedicated try square is often more rigid and reliable for pure 90-degree checking.

What size try square should I buy first?

A 6-inch (or 150mm) try square is a great all-around size for most furniture and cabinet work. It’s large enough to check most joints and small enough to be manageable. For larger cabinet carcasses, a 12-inch square can also be very useful.

Are expensive squares really better?

In general, yes. With squares, you are paying for precision machining and quality control. A cheap, stamped-metal square from a discount bin is far more likely to be inaccurate than a well-machined square from a reputable toolmaker. It’s one of the tools where it pays to invest in quality.

How do I use the angle markings on a speed square?

Place the pivot point of the square on the edge of your board. Swing the square until the desired angle marking on the protractor scale lines up with that same board edge. Then, draw your line along the straight, 90-degree edge of the square.

At the end of the day, the try square vs speed square for woodworking tools debate isn’t about which is “better,” but which is the right tool for the task at hand. You wouldn’t use a framing hammer to tap in a delicate dowel, and you wouldn’t use a fine chisel to pry open a paint can.

A woodworker will eventually want both. Start with the one that best suits the projects you’re doing right now. If you’re building shop furniture and boxes, get a quality try square. If you’re building a deck or framing a wall, the speed square is your best friend.

Understanding your tools is the first step to mastering your craft. Now you know the score. Grab the right square for the job, measure twice, and happy building!

Jim Boslice
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