Watching my neighbor frame a wall changed how I use a speed square

I was over at my neighbor Dave's place in Phoenix last Saturday helping him finish his garage. He pulled out his speed square and marked a rafter angle in like 5 seconds flat, no measuring tape needed. I've had a speed square for 3 years and I only ever used it for drawing straight lines. Has anyone else discovered a trick with a basic tool way later than they should have?

2 comments

2 Comments

anthony_lane559d ago

Buddy of mine out in Mesa spent 2 years using a speed square as a straight edge and a paperweight. One day his old man came over and used the fence to set a consistent rip cut on a circular saw. Blew his mind. He still calls me every time he finds another use for it. The rafter angle trick took him another 6 months to learn though.

linda_mason829d ago

Took me a LONG time to realize the speed square could do more than just scribe lines. I used to think it was basically a triangle ruler, not gonna lie. Then my buddy showed me how to use it as a saw guide for straight cuts on plywood and I felt SO stupid. The fence trick for ripping is genius because you can just clamp it and go. That rafter angle thing still trips me up sometimes too, I have to watch a video every single time. Your friend's dad dropping that knowledge is exactly the kind of moment that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew.