Try Squares

About Try Squares

A try square is an essential precision measuring tool used to mark and test 90-degree angles in woodworking, metalworking, and general construction. Consisting of a straight blade (or tongue) fixed at a perfect right angle to a thicker stock (or handle), these fundamental tools are indispensable for checking the squareness of corners, marking perpendicular lines, and ensuring accurate joinery work. Whether you're a professional joiner working on bespoke cabinetry or a DIY enthusiast building garden furniture, a quality try square is one of those foundational tools that belongs in every toolkit.

At TooledUp.com, we stock an extensive range of try squares from trusted manufacturers including Hultafors, Faithfull, Draper, Bahco, Starrett, Stanley, and Irwin. Our selection spans from lightweight aluminium models perfect for on-site carpentry to precision-engineered steel squares for exacting metalwork and engineering applications. Available in various sizes typically ranging from 150mm to 300mm blade lengths, you'll find options suited to every trade and budget, from apprentice-level tools through to professional-grade instruments that will last a lifetime.

Modern try squares come in several configurations, including traditional all-steel construction, aluminium body versions with stainless steel blades, and combination try and mitre squares that offer additional angle-checking functionality. Many feature imperial and metric graduated markings etched or screen-printed onto the blade, whilst premium models offer adjustable designs that allow you to set custom angles beyond the standard 90 degrees.

Jargon Buster

• Stock: The thicker, handle portion of the try square that sits against the edge of your workpiece. Usually made from aluminium, steel, or hardwood with a brass facing plate.
• Blade (Tongue): The flat, measuring edge of the try square that extends perpendicular to the stock. Typically made from hardened steel or stainless steel with graduated markings.
• True Square: A term indicating that the blade and stock meet at an exact 90-degree angle. Quality try squares are precision-ground to maintain this accuracy to within fractions of a degree.
• Mitre Square: A variation that includes a 45-degree angle in addition to the standard 90-degree configuration, useful for marking mitred joints in picture frames and skirting boards.
• Engineer's Try Square: A more robust, all-steel version designed for metalworking applications where accuracy and durability are paramount. Often features precision ground faces.
• Graduated Markings: The measurement scales etched or printed along the blade, typically showing both metric (millimetres) and imperial (inches) measurements for versatility.

Who Uses Try Squares?

Try squares are fundamental tools across numerous trades and applications:

• Carpenters and Joiners: For marking out timber joints, checking door frames, and ensuring cabinet corners are perfectly square
• Shopfitters and Cabinet Makers: Essential for precision work where tight tolerances and perfect right angles are critical to professional results
• Metalworkers and Engineers: Using precision steel try squares to mark out components and verify machined edges meet exact specifications
• Bricklayers and Stonemasons: Checking corner accuracy when laying blockwork and stone, ensuring walls rise true and square
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Marking cut lines on pipes and verifying installation angles for radiators and boilers
• Shopfitters and Installers: Setting out kitchen units, wardrobes, and commercial fixtures where square installations are essential
• DIY Enthusiasts: Tackling home improvement projects from building decking to installing shelving, where accurate right angles ensure professional-looking results
• Students and Apprentices: Learning fundamental marking-out techniques in construction, engineering, and manufacturing courses

How to Choose the Right Try Squares

Size and Blade Length: Consider the scale of work you typically undertake. A 150mm (6") try square suits smaller joinery and detailed work, whilst 250-300mm (10-12") models are better for larger timber sections and site carpentry. Many professionals keep multiple sizes for different applications.

Material and Construction: Steel try squares offer maximum durability and precision, ideal for engineering and metalwork. Aluminium-bodied versions with stainless steel blades provide an excellent balance of accuracy and weight for site work. The Hultafors Lightweight models are particularly popular with chippies who carry their tools all day, whilst Starrett and Faithfull Prestige ranges cater to those requiring engineering-grade precision.

Accuracy and Quality: Professional-grade try squares like those from Starrett, Bahco, and Draper Expert are precision-ground to extremely tight tolerances and maintain their accuracy over years of use. Budget options are adequate for occasional DIY use but may not offer the same long-term reliability. Look for models with the stock and blade securely fixed or welded rather than riveted, as these maintain accuracy better.

Features and Graduations: Consider whether you need metric, imperial, or dual markings. Etched or machined graduations last far longer than screen-printed versions. Some models like the Draper Try and Mitre Square or Irwin Try and Mitre Square offer additional 45-degree angles, adding versatility without carrying multiple tools. The Hultafors Quattro 270 Adjustable Try Square goes further, allowing custom angle settings for specialised applications.

Application-Specific Needs: Site carpenters may prioritise lightweight aluminium construction, whilst furniture makers might prefer the heft and precision of all-steel models. Metalworkers should opt for engineer's try squares with hardened, ground faces. For general DIY and home improvement, a mid-range carpenters try square from Faithfull or Stanley offers excellent value and sufficient accuracy.

Popular Accessories

• Marking Knives: Used alongside your try square to scribe precise lines in timber, creating a cleaner, more accurate mark than pencils
• Combination Squares: Complementary measuring tools offering adjustable blades, spirit levels, and scriber functions for more complex marking-out tasks
• Sliding Bevels: Allow you to transfer and mark angles other than 90 degrees, working alongside your try square for complex joinery
• Engineer's Blue: Layout fluid applied to metal surfaces before marking out with your try square, making scribed lines clearly visible
• Carpenter's Pencils: Flat pencils that won't roll away, ideal for marking lines against your try square blade
• Spirit Levels: Work in conjunction with try squares to ensure both square and level installations
• Tool Rolls and Cases: Protect your precision squares from damage during transport and storage, maintaining their accuracy

Safety Information

Whilst try squares themselves present minimal safety hazards, observe these guidelines for safe workshop practice:

• Keep blades free from burrs and sharp edges that could cause cuts when handling; file down any sharp corners on steel models
• Store try squares carefully to prevent the blade edges becoming damaged, which would compromise accuracy
• Never use a try square as a straightedge for cutting operations, particularly with Stanley knives or rotary cutters, as this can damage the precision edge
• When using try squares in conjunction with power tools for marking cut lines, ensure the machinery is switched off and disconnected before marking
• Avoid using damaged or bent try squares, as inaccurate measurements can lead to poorly fitting joints and potentially dangerous structural weaknesses in load-bearing applications
• Keep fingers clear of the area where you're striking a marking knife against the try square blade to avoid injury

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a try square and an engineer's square?

Try squares typically feature a wooden or aluminium stock with a steel blade, designed primarily for woodworking. Engineer's squares are manufactured entirely from hardened steel with precision-ground faces, offering greater accuracy and durability for metalworking applications where tolerances are more critical. Engineer's squares generally conform to BS 939 standards for precision.

How do I check if my try square is still accurate?

Draw a line along a straight edge using your try square, then flip the square over and align it with the same line from the opposite direction. If the blade aligns perfectly with your original line, the square is accurate. Any gap indicates the square is out of true. You can also hold the stock against a known straight edge and check if light passes between the blade and a perpendicular surface.

What size try square should I buy for general carpentry work?

A 250mm (10") try square is the most versatile size for general carpentry and site work, large enough to span common timber widths whilst remaining portable. Many professionals also keep a smaller 150mm (6") version for detailed work and tight spaces. If you're just starting out or working on a budget, a single 250mm model will cover most applications.

Can I use a try square to check if walls and corners are square?

Yes, try squares are excellent for checking internal corners, door frames, and smaller wall sections. However, for checking larger wall runs and room corners, you'll get more accurate results using the 3-4-5 triangle method with a tape measure, or investing in a builder's square (also called a framing square) which has much longer arms.

Why do some try squares have holes in the blade?

Holes or slots serve multiple purposes: they reduce weight without compromising rigidity, allow the tool to be hung for storage, and can be used as crude radius guides for drawing small circles. Some also include hanging holes specifically positioned to allow the square to hang flat against a wall or pegboard.