A 10-second check that can save your project
Are you still relying on traditional rosewood and brass try squares for layout? They often fail in accuracy, so Peter Sefton shows how to test any square using the simple “draw, flip, and check” method. If your square doesn’t line up after the flip, it’s not square — and that’s a problem.
Peter explains
“To check, place it against a perfectly straight edge (MDF works well) with the stock on the left-hand side, and scribe a line using a sharp H2 pencil or marking knife. Flip the square over with the stock on the right-hand side and check it. If the lines are parallel, the square is true; if they converge, you need a new square.”
Peter recommends
Switching to engineering-grade tools, such as the Verum 6” Engineer’s Square, which offers the kind of accuracy that avoids costly mistakes and misaligned joints.
Precision squares from Woodpeckers, AUKTools, and JessEm all feature lipped stocks that help the square sit securely on the timber edge without twisting or slipping.
The takeaway?
The right square is more than a luxury – it’s a necessity.