How To Use A Speed Square | The Basics Of Woodworking

How To Use A Speed Square | The Basics Of Woodworking

Learning how to get started in Woodworking is a daunting task. In today’s video, I will show you the essential skill of how to use a speed square step by step. These tips and tricks will take any hobbyist DIYer and turn them in a seasoned pro around the speed square. I will cover how to mark square lines, using the square to layout lines, using the square as a guide for your saw, marking angles, creating roof pitches, cutting a birdsmouth, laying out eaves, and the differences between common speed squares.

(First 50 People)
Use Code “SPEED SQUARE” At Checkout And Receive 50% OFF Your Next Order!
https://bit.ly/3jP8Huh

Squares Mentioned: (affiliate links)
Swanson 7” Speed Square:https://amzn.to/3bvcx8V
Swanson 12” Speedlite Square: https://amzn.to/321uJnx
Empire 12” Speed Square:https://amzn.to/3bwK4Qe
Husky Extendable Square (Crescent Version): https://amzn.to/3i6luZ4
Get Started Woodworking With This 100$ Tool Kit Video: https://youtu.be/zlicAUZ0wyA

0:00 Woodbrew Store
0:34 Introduction
1:43 Speed Squares Overview
7:38 Basics Of Layout
10:08 Marking Angles
12:14 Checking Tools For Square
13:50 Using The Square As A Cut Guide
14:38 Roof Structure Overview
16:27 Marking Roof Pitch On Rafters
17:31 Marking A Birdsmouth On Rafters
20:44 Marking The Eave On A Rafter
22:40 Finding Roof Pitch Using
23:19 Outro

Sources:
Music & SFX: https://bit.ly/2F1lhrH
Stock Footage: https://bit.ly/35eVg2Z
Swanson Speed Square Clips: Extreme How To https://youtu.be/jh04yCYGPTA

Some of the links and other products that appear in this video are from companies which Woodbrew LLC will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Woodbrew LLC is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

50 Comments

  1. Uncle Reggie on September 23, 2022 at 2:01 am

    The reason for plastic speed squares is for materials you don’t want to scratch(like gutters or flashing).



  2. Steve Carmichael on September 23, 2022 at 2:02 am

    Great video! I use mine sometimes to check glue ups for square, so I try to remember to check the square for dried glue bumps that can throw it off the next time I use it.



  3. Rough and Ready on September 23, 2022 at 2:02 am

    Crap, just unsubsribed.



  4. Cris Cross on September 23, 2022 at 2:03 am

    👍👍



  5. Mark Bernier on September 23, 2022 at 2:03 am

    At 22:12 you must make the angle accurate so the eave material goes on square and level.



  6. Randy Wright on September 23, 2022 at 2:06 am

    Well done Dylan (<sp?) That was well done video. I’ve used the speed square for years but never that detailed with it. Thank you Bud



  7. energi on September 23, 2022 at 2:06 am

    Excellent video. Thanks for a great simple explanation and demo.



  8. Fred McIntyre on September 23, 2022 at 2:07 am

    Awesome stuff, thanks for the info! 😃👍🏻👍🏻📐👊🏻👊🏻



  9. Kevin Mahoney on September 23, 2022 at 2:07 am

    Thanks for the valuable information video. You showed some of the obvious basics, that are great reminders, and couple not so obvious. The amazing speed square evolving over time, never stops amazing me, in its thoughtful design, and you showed a couple new things to me…and I’ve viewed a bunch lately, that will help me in my construction endeavors. Thank you.



  10. Gerry Koehler on September 23, 2022 at 2:08 am

    At 11:30, your 30 degree angle was a bit off. Add 30 + 15 + 45 and you should get 90 degrees, and that was NOT 90 degrees.



  11. Ron priest on September 23, 2022 at 2:09 am

    Thanks for sharing. This will be very helpful.



  12. David Macko on September 23, 2022 at 2:11 am

    Wow, I learned a lot on this vid, awesome job, thank you



  13. Ronny Julian on September 23, 2022 at 2:12 am

    Must have been a good sale day. Code Speed Square does not exist now.



  14. Jim Roth on September 23, 2022 at 2:13 am

    Very good. As a novice I appreciate your advice.



  15. Craig Bloxham on September 23, 2022 at 2:14 am

    7 1/2 minutes to get to how to draw a straight line.



  16. Billie Montgomery on September 23, 2022 at 2:16 am

    Thank you for this valuable information! I have seen these numbers, never really used them much. Granted, I don’t do very many woodworking projects that I can’t get by using the miter saw. Now I might advance myself and skills to a much broader level! Thank you!!!
    One more thing…..
    CONGRATS to both of you on your engagement. This is super great news. My youngest daughter and her now husband have been planning their wedding and reception venue. Their wedding went from a beach ceremony on the North Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, to a wedding in the backyard with ten people. What really broke my heart was they were unable to go on their honeymoon on the ocean with an adult only resort with a butler!! They are taking it in stride.



  17. chris gulbranson on September 23, 2022 at 2:16 am

    Thanks for the explanation.



  18. Ted's Custom Crafted Pens on September 23, 2022 at 2:21 am

    I think I finally understand the speed square. Thanks! 👍



  19. John Krill on September 23, 2022 at 2:21 am

    The first device I thought of was the Slide Rule. Sadly electronic calculators eliminated the Slide Rule. As with the Speed Square there are many calculations a Slide Rule could perform tha I never learned. Still have the Slide Rule my Dad used. No batteries required.



  20. Toto FromFrom on September 23, 2022 at 2:28 am

    Offset scribe notching… for them 1/8ths. I look for that in my square.



  21. wayne blythe on September 23, 2022 at 2:29 am

    👏🏻👍🏻🇬🇧



  22. Lukasz K on September 23, 2022 at 2:32 am

    Watching this made me feel how little I know. Simplicity is the key to solving so many issues. Ingenious



  23. John Ryan on September 23, 2022 at 2:33 am

    how about a gambrel for a 12′ rafter? Thanks. John



  24. Stijn Niclaes on September 23, 2022 at 2:34 am

    15:21 22,5 degrees instead of 26,5



  25. Haji Othman on September 23, 2022 at 2:35 am

    I like your video so much. Thank you.



  26. MIKE PONTE on September 23, 2022 at 2:35 am

    Amazing video guys! Thanks for the information, are basic skills but not everyone knows 😄



  27. tom lewis on September 23, 2022 at 2:35 am

    👍Awesome



  28. Evan Gordon on September 23, 2022 at 2:37 am

    Good refresher course for me.



  29. Kingsley Killoran on September 23, 2022 at 2:37 am

    Excellent video, I served my apprenticeship as a joiner and this was one of the first tools I bought. Not sure if it was just a UK thing but back when i served my time they were commonly referred to as rafter squares or roofing squares. They are probably the most useful and versatile tool I ever owned whilst working in the trade.
    Also a few of the older guys and master carpenters also found they just happened to be the perfect size and shape for throwing boomerang style at us apprentice lads when they caught us fooling around on site instead of working. When you’ve been hit in the small of the back with a speed square you definitely know about it 🙂



  30. Tanner Keith on September 23, 2022 at 2:38 am

    This is an awesome explanation, thanks for taking the time to teach us!



  31. Carlos Perez on September 23, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Great video



  32. IPC0101 on September 23, 2022 at 2:41 am

    Great video, very informative



  33. ProtectrLifenLiberty on September 23, 2022 at 2:42 am

    Bought my first one in 1984



  34. Ali Harday on September 23, 2022 at 2:42 am

    Thanks for your excellent video
    You teach me a lot information



  35. Tingtong 09 on September 23, 2022 at 2:44 am

    I am a 56 year old man who loves woodworking but never had a chance to build anything serious. Luckily a friend just bought a house that needs lots of work so I decided to buy some tools with excitement. One of the first tool that I picked up was Swanson speed square aka worksite boomerang. I did some research on how to use it to the full potential and here you are. I really do appreciate your teaching. Especially, the history of Mr. Swanson who created this square speed. It’s good to know the history of the tool that we use so we can appreciate those founders. Also, it’s great to see a young man like you who still carrying an old trade. We need to see more. Thank you so much again. Keep up a good work.



  36. Olli Garch on September 23, 2022 at 2:44 am

    Around 91 is when I bought my first one. Still have it.



  37. Handy Manny on September 23, 2022 at 2:45 am

    This was a very useful video keep up the good work



  38. FAIROZ MOHAMMED on September 23, 2022 at 2:49 am

    Dear I am from India can I bay 1 big 12 " and 1 small 7 " for my self. Please addivice



  39. Tingtong 09 on September 23, 2022 at 2:49 am

    Of course LIKED and SUBSCRIBED
    Thanks again and I am waiting for more.



  40. aldeureaux on September 23, 2022 at 2:49 am

    The clearest explanation of the speed square I have seen. Hope hip and valley follows.



  41. BigDog 2121 on September 23, 2022 at 2:51 am

    yooooo

    .



  42. Chris White on September 23, 2022 at 2:51 am

    Great job explaining the speed square. I had always used it just to make straight perpendicular lines for my cuts. I never new you could do so much with it. Thanks for a great explanation.



  43. Mayday's Custom Woodworks on September 23, 2022 at 2:53 am

    Well done. I am in the same boat. I didn’t know the full functionality of a speed square until I hired an employee who had done a lot of work on construction sites. I watched how my employee used a speed square in fine wood working. Now I’m a huge fan of my speed square and i use it very frequently in my shop



  44. Michael Leftwich on September 23, 2022 at 2:53 am

    I have one that was made in 1987. Don’t remember where i got it, but have had it since i worked on a rough-in crew in ’97-’98.



  45. Bexar Builds on September 23, 2022 at 2:55 am

    All I can say is wow. Honestly did not know how versatile speed squares could be. Thanks for putting some great info out there!



  46. Ralf Jahns on September 23, 2022 at 2:55 am

    Is a metric version available?



  47. Javier Escobar on September 23, 2022 at 2:56 am

    Thanks you



  48. sam motala on September 23, 2022 at 2:57 am

    a bunch of stuff i never knew i wanted to know 😀 good stuff !!



  49. Ron Miller on September 23, 2022 at 2:58 am

    Great video thank you for sharing



  50. Cliff on September 23, 2022 at 2:58 am

    Nice job!