Large square recommendations

[Victor Robinson]

I have that blue 18x24" empire square, and it is dead nuts on. There may be variation from copy to copy, but you CAN in fact get a reasonably priced large square without breaking the bank.

[Greg Woloshyn]

I got lucky and had some room in the machine today so I made a nice square in between setups. .350" thick, 18" x 20" made out of aluminum. I machined the edges, and pressed in 2 1/4" hardened dowel pins for a final angle which measured 90.01 degrees. All this from surplus material kicking around the shop so my cost was nothing.

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[David Eisenhauer]

Good looking square. Like I said, however you get there, now you have a decent square to use from now on, and, in this case, did not break the bank. Next problem? Get ready for the "can you build one of those for me", "how much would you charge for one of those?" requests. Now back to cutting............

[Greg R Bradley]

After looking at the Woodpeckers framing square, I would consider spending the money for the quality square that it is. Problem is that this looks like it was a one time tool, from 2012, should I email them to see if they have any?

http://www.woodpeck.com/2616squarewp.html

Was also a "one-time" tool again in 2013 as PSQ26. Also the 18" version. I know they had a few extras as recently as a month ago.

I would never give up my WP 2616 WP square but beefy squares that big are pretty special purpose. The 1281 (12x8") is a regular production item and a wonderful tool. The bigger ones are probably mostly used for precision woodworking by people that have, or perhaps should have bought, the 1281 and one of the regular production T-Squares.

I'm guessing if you bought a 1281, PSQ18, and PSQ26, they will end up being used in that order.

You can go to Carbide Processors to get the 1281 at 10% off here: http://www.carbideprocessors.com/pre...peckers-1281r/

Checkout with the code "creekers" and get 10% more off. Fantastic unit for that price.

[Stew Hagerty]

After looking at the Woodpeckers framing square, I would consider spending the money for the quality square that it is. Problem is that this looks like it was a one time tool, from 2012, should I email them to see if they have any?

http://www.woodpeck.com/2616squarewp.html

I have one of those big Woodpeckers squares (as well as 3 other smaller versions) and I absolutely love all of them. They are dead accurate (which, sadly, is WAYYYY more accurate than I am myself). You can always call and see if the have any left.

This one is smaller, but it is available all the time: http://www.woodpeck.com/1281.html

[Peter Quinn]

I have one of those lee valley Japanese framing squares, around $50, very accurate. I also have a few old steel Stanley framing squares I dug out of my FIL's basement, very heavy, almost perfectly square. So maybe flea markets or estate sales? It's a crap shoot with the junk at the hardware stores these days. Imagine framing a hipped roof with a square that is out by 3/16"...