I've had one of these for at least 30 years, but I know very little about it. I just use it for laying out steel. I was a machinist for most of my life. We used a tri-square, but I was in my friend's welding shop and I saw his aluminum square and liked it. He told me where to get one. Until you told all that stuff on this video, I didn't know it existed before. ( I can build walls, bore holes for the wire and pull the wire in and hook it all up, but all the roof pitches, I left that up to the carpenters.) I knew the various other marks were there. I thought it might mean METRIC or something. Thanks for your video. I SUBBED
I've known for a very long time that these tools are extremely valuable in the right hands. I'm a commercial electrician that started in residential 35 years ago. Thank you so much for taking the time to show me the details.
Can I just say you explained the birdsmouth tail marking a million times better than any of the other 20 or so RUclipsrs I watched earlier today 👍👍. Also, like the Ron Swanson brand 😊.
I don't understand why angles mess with my head so badly ! I like your explanation of the Diamond on the Speed Square though! I never really got what the extra markings on the speed square were for. I used to lay out quite a bit with a good framing square with the rafter tables on it. I worked for a very good independent carpenter as an assistant ,and eventually he sent me on jobs alone .Cutting in sky lights ,Building small window dormers ,crickets for chimneys ! In all of the work I did ,I never really grasped all of the capabilities of the speed square .Amazing what it is capable of. Nearly 66 years old now ,tons of houses,additions,dormers and almost anything you could imagine ,angles still mess with my head. Compound angles especially ! I am in the midst of building another intermodal wood shed and am torturing myself cutting birds mouth rafters and putting nice overhangs on shed all around instead of taking the easy way using rather ties plates etc. So thanks for your videos ! A young fella would be well served to learn the things your are teaching . I worked night shift as a welder fabricator repairman ,and did carpentry in the mornings assisting contractor friends .Due to layoffs through my life I always kept my hand in construction . Building skills put food on my table when there was very little or no other work and my saws and tools were best investment I ever made. Embrace the Trades
Worked a quick fence replacement recently and found that using the flat side and small lip is a quick and efficient way to line up slats on your saw to cut identical lengths. Meaning after my top board was marked for cutting, I stacked it on top of 2-3 more, using my 12" miter saw, and used the flat side and lip to perfectly line the end of the boards up.
I love you Josh! I love your work, your humility, your passion for what you do and, obviously, your well-done videos(watch them every single day !) God bless you and your work, Josh! -I wish I had one tenth of your abilities,knowledge and skills! Much love and respect! ❤️💪👏👏👏👏
I watched my grandpa use one for years, whipped it around like a ninja, but never explained what he was doing with it. They're certainly pretty handy to have around!
Excellent video and very good and clear instructions! Keep them good videos coming and appreciate you providing a world of knowledge! God bless my friend!
Great video! I'd like to add that the depth of your birds mouth heel cut is important and people need to check their local codes for minimum and maximum depth. You can use the speed square, placing the pivot point at the bottom end of you plumb line, and mark the height of your heel cut, then use the perpendicular marker to make your seat cut mark. Alternately, with Swanson squares (and others modeled the same), you can use the diamond and line to index on your plumb line, place the pivot on the edge, and mark your seat line (again, check your local code and the material you're using as this will produce a specific height heel). I suspect you're about to talk about this in the next part of the video lol.
That's the first video of yours I've watched and I subscribed liked and saved it. I don't think I've ever done that on a video before. It's great to see smart people out there
I remember old packaging for speed squares having these tips on it. He was marking the angles upside down. Like where he said it was 25 degree line, he did it from the top so he removed 25 degrees from 90, which made it a 65 degree line.
They can also be make shift levels. Hold the long side on top of whatever your leveling and put a plumb bob in the pivot point, whenever it intersects 45 on the long side your level.
there is so much information and speed functions built into all the squares most people don't know about or how there should be a a school class just about them is there a text book on how to use the different squares and how to use them
This is handy. Im a machinist that finds myself programming cnc machines for framing timbers and im the only one in the office with no construction background. But i still, as a metal and glass guy wonder how one scribes with a sharpie. One of many terms that overlap but mean something completely different 😆
They make different squares for different types of jobs as well. Like doing decks and handrails. Also. To find the long cut of an angle, mark the pivot point and then mark the common angle from the 90* pivot point, now just rotate to the common mark you made and that’s the long side of the angle.
Great job man but you forgot one of the most important. The the level. The speed square or so called triangle is dated all the way back to the pyramids. They used the speed square with a string and weight or what we call today a plumb bob to make things level. They place the long side of the triangle on the board to be leveled and hang the plumb bob from the top mark labeled pivot on the speed square triangle and when the string lined up with the center mark it was level.
Your point works, unless like me a new person to woodworking, was handed this in class, teacher just assume I knew how to work it.. only thing I knew was somehow it lined up straight across. I was able to watch this video, have basic info..67 year old first time working with wood.
Oh yeah are used to have one of those but never used it. Definitely need to get the normal size one. I think there’s a link in the description to it. Thanks for watching!
@TheExcellentLaborer I use a 12" speed square for rafter framing. The 7" won't mark anything wider than a 2x6 without extra steps. That being said, there's been a 7" speed square in my pocket since 1986. And it's not a Johnson or a Swanson it's a flourescent-pink Empire because THAT one hasn't been stolen in 30 years. There weren't many around in my neck of the woods in the early '80's most people were using combination squares and framing squares. My first two aluminum ones lasted about 6 months each, and when I found this pink one in a brand-new box store (first time in a Home Depot), I thought ... "No self-respecting manly carpenter would steal this, it's too easy to recognize," and once I wrote my name on it, I knew it couldn't be erased! Thanks for the primer, I'm glad guys like our do this because I'm too old to play this making videos game.
Not being critical: there are more thungs this tool does; for instance one is with a plumb-line can work as a level! And in the vid pay attentuin to where the dimind is, while he has it over the 2; 2x4s together. The dimond is 2: 2x4s wide.
I bought my first speed square a few months ago after watching an older video you did on speed squares. Absolutely wonderful tools. Thanks for the content
Wait, how do you know your seat cut is square with the plumb cut at the birds mouth ? I am used to the standard framing square. There's no guessing with it.
I almost want to go out and buy a whole bunch of timber to try these thing out. Thinking🤔🤔 nah. Good video, would have liked to know these things before I retired.
Swanson Speed Square Bundle: tinyurl.com/y2dbx949
⏱TIMESTAMPS Below!
0:00 Intro
0:12 Right Angles
0:32 Scribe Notches
1:07 Layout Markings
1:39 2x4 Wall Layout
2:09 Common Rafter Plumb Lines
4:21 Make A Birds Mouth
5:11 The Diamond
6:09 Hip-Val Rafter Plumb Lines
6:46 Protractor
7:13 Square Walls
7:34 Find Roof Pitch
8:38 Outro
@5:35 you said 45 degree you meant 90 degree
Your the first person to explain this and I actually understood it. Thank you .
I've had one of these for at least 30 years, but I know very little about it. I just use it for laying out steel. I was a machinist for most of my life. We used a tri-square, but I was in my friend's welding shop and I saw his aluminum square and liked it. He told me where to get one. Until you told all that stuff on this video, I didn't know it existed before. ( I can build walls, bore holes for the wire and pull the wire in and hook it all up, but all the roof pitches, I left that up to the carpenters.)
I knew the various other marks were there. I thought it might mean METRIC or something.
Thanks for your video. I SUBBED
I've known for a very long time that these tools are extremely valuable in the right hands. I'm a commercial electrician that started in residential 35 years ago.
Thank you so much for taking the time to show me the details.
Can I just say you explained the birdsmouth tail marking a million times better than any of the other 20 or so RUclipsrs I watched earlier today 👍👍. Also, like the Ron Swanson brand 😊.
Thanks for taking the time to explain something so simple, but so neccessary.
I don't understand why angles mess with my head so badly ! I like your explanation of the Diamond on the Speed Square though! I never really got what the extra markings on the speed square were for. I used to lay out quite a bit with a good framing square with the rafter tables on it. I worked for a very good independent carpenter as an assistant ,and eventually he sent me on jobs alone .Cutting in sky lights ,Building small window dormers ,crickets for chimneys ! In all of the work I did ,I never really grasped all of the capabilities of the speed square .Amazing what it is capable of. Nearly 66 years old now ,tons of houses,additions,dormers and almost anything you could imagine ,angles still mess with my head. Compound angles especially ! I am in the midst of building another intermodal wood shed and am torturing myself cutting birds mouth rafters and putting nice overhangs on shed all around instead of taking the easy way using rather ties plates etc. So thanks for your videos ! A young fella would be well served to learn the things your are teaching . I worked night shift as a welder fabricator repairman ,and did carpentry in the mornings assisting contractor friends .Due to layoffs through my life I always kept my hand in construction . Building skills put food on my table when there was very little or no other work and my saws and tools were best investment I ever made. Embrace the Trades
Awesomeness one of the beat tutorials I have ever seen on here
Thank you! I hope it helps!
Worked a quick fence replacement recently and found that using the flat side and small lip is a quick and efficient way to line up slats on your saw to cut identical lengths. Meaning after my top board was marked for cutting, I stacked it on top of 2-3 more, using my 12" miter saw, and used the flat side and lip to perfectly line the end of the boards up.
And a hammer works great 4 turning compost.🤪
Holy cow I've been using squares all my life I didn't know most of that information! Thank you so much for the great information on video
I love you Josh!
I love your work, your humility, your passion for what you do and, obviously, your well-done videos(watch them every single day !)
God bless you and your work, Josh!
-I wish I had one tenth of your abilities,knowledge and skills!
Much love and respect!
❤️💪👏👏👏👏
I never realized how handy this tool was.
Yes there’s so many things you can do with it. Thanks for watching!
It’s not gonna do the dishes for you…
I watched my grandpa use one for years, whipped it around like a ninja, but never explained what he was doing with it. They're certainly pretty handy to have around!
Sorry man, I bought a Milwaukee from Home Depot before I saw this video. But! I am a subscriber lol
Thank You Josh for keeping it simple and to the point I learned alot because I was not bored to death with all the unneeded information
Thanks for letting me know. I’m glad I could help you without boring you to death LOL. Stay tuned!
I'm ready to build a shed and this video gave me the confidence to do what is needed. Thanks so much.
That’s great. I’m glad I could help you Dennis! Good luck on your project!
Strictly Top-Shelf presentation & information--thank you, Josh. Please be well!
Excellent video and very good and clear instructions! Keep them good videos coming and appreciate you providing a world of knowledge! God bless my friend!
Great video! I'd like to add that the depth of your birds mouth heel cut is important and people need to check their local codes for minimum and maximum depth. You can use the speed square, placing the pivot point at the bottom end of you plumb line, and mark the height of your heel cut, then use the perpendicular marker to make your seat cut mark. Alternately, with Swanson squares (and others modeled the same), you can use the diamond and line to index on your plumb line, place the pivot on the edge, and mark your seat line (again, check your local code and the material you're using as this will produce a specific height heel). I suspect you're about to talk about this in the next part of the video lol.
Learning how to use the speed square will be very useful in some of my home projects. Helpful video, thanks very much.
I appreciate you stopping by and watching my video!
Josh I gain a abundant of knowledge from your video keep up the good work.
Thanks for letting me know! I’m glad I could help. Be sure to stay tuned for more!
That's the first video of yours I've watched and I subscribed liked and saved it. I don't think I've ever done that on a video before. It's great to see smart people out there
This is amazing. I never used any of this stuff and i have 2 Speed Squares.
You did an amazing job. Thank you.
I remember old packaging for speed squares having these tips on it. He was marking the angles upside down. Like where he said it was 25 degree line, he did it from the top so he removed 25 degrees from 90, which made it a 65 degree line.
They can also be make shift levels. Hold the long side on top of whatever your leveling and put a plumb bob in the pivot point, whenever it intersects 45 on the long side your level.
there is so much information and speed functions built into
all the squares most people don't know about or how
there should be a a school class just about them
is there a text book on how to use the different squares and how to use them
I never knew this going to buy one and study it, I was dowing all framing using a 12 x 18 framing square thanks
Best use is a crosscut guide. Perfectly straight cut everytime!
Great job young man thank you. Happy building.
Another fantastic and helpful video. Thanks man!
You are welcome Jeremy!
This is handy. Im a machinist that finds myself programming cnc machines for framing timbers and im the only one in the office with no construction background. But i still, as a metal and glass guy wonder how one scribes with a sharpie. One of many terms that overlap but mean something completely different 😆
Okay now I get it, the string was blocking it and I wasn't sure which line of numbers to look at. But after reviewing it again I get it. Thanks
You make things so clear.
Thank you Benson!
Unbelievably useful tool!
It sure is!
Very clear explanation, thanks
I appreciate your comment. Thanks for watching!
Great review. Easy to understand. Thanks.
Thank you for the tutorial Josh. 👍
Very straightforward, thanks! 👍
Thanks, Josh! Really appreciate it!
Thanks for the review. I knew this stuff a long time ago, but disuse. Thanks again!
I’m glad to see a refresher cause I’d forgotten how to use a few of the sets of numbers haha
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
I just learn how to use it thanks bady for your nice useful knowledge.
I’m glad I could help you. Be sure to stay tuned for more!
I learnt something today! Thanks Josh.
Thanks for letting me know Amazing! I know you use a speed square daily
Honestly Josh I do not have one! I see others with them. I use a framing square. Did your windows show up?
Hey man great job ,Josh keep the videos coming I learned a lot your presentation was right on point
Thanks Keven!
They make different squares for different types of jobs as well. Like doing decks and handrails. Also. To find the long cut of an angle, mark the pivot point and then mark the common angle from the 90* pivot point, now just rotate to the common mark you made and that’s the long side of the angle.
Thanks Josh you explained that so simple . Really nice to know
Thanks Rolf!
Great explanation. Thank you so much sir.
I appreciate that!
Great to the point explanation
Thanks for stopping by and watching!
Thanks man you have refreshed my mind well explained
You are welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing this excellent tutorial,now I know what the line and diamond is for, a birds mouth 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You are welcome! 😃
Outstanding Informative video Sir Cheers
I appreciate this comment. Thanks for watching!
Good stuff to brush up on thanks!
You are welcome! The speed square rocks!
As a plumber, I like to do carpentry, and I didn’t know what half the things were……now I do, thanks. Never too old to learn.
Very informative video and explained well thanks
I appreciate that. The speed square is an awesome tool once you learn how to use it. Good luck with your projects!
Lots of great info. Thanks for posting!
Great job man but you forgot one of the most important. The the level. The speed square or so called triangle is dated all the way back to the pyramids. They used the speed square with a string and weight or what we call today a plumb bob to make things level. They place the long side of the triangle on the board to be leveled and hang the plumb bob from the top mark labeled pivot on the speed square triangle and when the string lined up with the center mark it was level.
🙄
🤔
You mean plumb.
They come with a little book attached
to it that explains how to use it and also has some basic rafter formulas and instructions
Your point works, unless like me a new person to woodworking, was handed this in class, teacher just assume I knew how to work it.. only thing I knew was somehow it lined up straight across.
I was able to watch this video, have basic info..67 year old first time working with wood.
I knew there was a reason my speed square came with a manual that's a half inch thick 😂 cheers 🍻
I understood everything u said Thanks 👍👍
right to the point and one of the best explanations ive seen. now i need to get a smaller one i got a huge one not knowing what i needed.
Oh yeah are used to have one of those but never used it. Definitely need to get the normal size one. I think there’s a link in the description to it. Thanks for watching!
@TheExcellentLaborer I use a 12" speed square for rafter framing. The 7" won't mark anything wider than a 2x6 without extra steps. That being said, there's been a 7" speed square in my pocket since 1986. And it's not a Johnson or a Swanson it's a flourescent-pink Empire because THAT one hasn't been stolen in 30 years. There weren't many around in my neck of the woods in the early '80's most people were using combination squares and framing squares. My first two aluminum ones lasted about 6 months each, and when I found this pink one in a brand-new box store (first time in a Home Depot), I thought ... "No self-respecting manly carpenter would steal this, it's too easy to recognize," and once I wrote my name on it, I knew it couldn't be erased!
Thanks for the primer, I'm glad guys like our do this because I'm too old to play this making videos game.
Really good info. Thanks so much.
Thanks Jeff. I’m glad I can help!
I just fell in love with you Josh 😂Great video. Thanks
Great tutorial
Much appreciated!
Appreciate the knowledge.
Thank you. I appreciate you watching!
Not being critical: there are more thungs this tool does; for instance one is with a plumb-line can work as a level! And in the vid pay attentuin to where the dimind is, while he has it over the 2; 2x4s together. The dimond is 2: 2x4s wide.
Excellent video sir. .✌️😎
I appreciate that! Thank you.
Love your explanation! 🔥🔥
Excellent, I thank you very much.
I got the same one thanks for video
It’s a good tool! Thanks for watching.
Ooooh, somebody got a new Christmas present
Maybe LOL. I have owned a speed square since I’ve been 13. One of the best tools I have ever had! Thanks for watching man
I bought my first speed square a few months ago after watching an older video you did on speed squares. Absolutely wonderful tools. Thanks for the content
That’s so cool man! Thanks for letting me know I helped you on your decision on getting a tool. I hope it serves you well.
Good Stuff Josh. Thanks man!
Learned much in 🕘 nine minutes... Valuable tool
Thanks for the lesson 🙂
I’m glad I could help!
Thanks for your information 👍
You are welcome!
Very nicely done.
Thank you! I hope that helps!
Answers a bunch of questions.
One of the number one functions for me is a saw guide for a square cross cut.
Thank you!
What is that small diamond mark on the speed square ---used for. ?--looks hollow ?
Good job
Thank you!
Good Job
Thank you
Thank you King!
Great stuff!!!
Thank you! I appreciate that! I hope it helps you out.
Helped alot
Great!
Love your channel great content
Glad you enjoy it!
Don’t forget that the ergonomic and aerodynamic design of the speed square also allows you to whiz it at coworkers in the midst of a blind fury.
Good one! Thanks for watching!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support!
@TheExcellentLaborer always good to brush up on using equipment
Wait, how do you know your seat cut is square with the plumb cut at the birds mouth ? I am used to the standard framing square. There's no guessing with it.
Thanks. I'll go to home depot and get one.
I do siding I knew how to use the protractor but didn’t know how it was used for hip or valleys
Thanks for watching Tom!
I just couldn't catch on to the last part about the 312 pitch, I didn't see where you got the numbers from.
Great job again bud
super great explanation ... eager to see how the channel grows this year!
One video at a time. I’m excited people like my content. Thanks for subscribing!
Great great video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I almost want to go out and buy a whole bunch of timber to try these thing out. Thinking🤔🤔 nah. Good video, would have liked to know these things before I retired.
Do you get the same results if you use the diamond rather than the dotted line?
I show a comparison in the video. But yes very similar results
Thank you 🙏
Gracias
Good stuff. thnx
Great tips.
Thanks! Stay tuned for more!
That means it goes out 6or 7 inches for every 12 up, right?
Thankyou
No problem!