Speed Square Hacks
Modification of this measuring tool can make it useful for marking cabinet reveals or creating a pattern for exposed deck screws.
I don’t ordinarily condone the misuse, abuse, or modification of a tool, but from time to time it can be the right choice. One of those occasions is in the case of the very inexpensive plastic Speed Square. I drill a 1 ⁄ 16-in. hole in my plastic square at 3 ⁄ 8 in. in from the index to allow the metal tip of my mechanical pencil to precisely slide through and mark reveals on the back of cabinet drawer fronts.
The plastic doesn’t mar the work even when I slide it down square-edged prefinished cabinet parts. Similarly, I have converted a speed square into a jig by drilling two 1 ⁄ 8-in. holes into the edge index at 11 ⁄ 4 in. and 4-1 ⁄ 4 in. to create a very accurate and aesthetically pleasing pattern for exposed screws on decking.
— Travis Brungardt; Prairie Village, Kan.
From Fine Homebuilding #311
RELATED STORIES
- Speed Square for Masons
- Build a Simple Jig to Drill Cabinet-Handle Holes Perfectly
- Cutting Narrow Strips of Drywall
Got a Tip?
Do you have any great tips like this one on how to make the most of your Speed Square? Share your methods, tricks, and jigs with other readers. Tag them @FineHomebuilding on social, email them to us at [email protected], or upload them to FineHomebuilding.com/reader-tips. We’ll pay for any we publish.
View Comments
For more useful modifications of Speed Squares, check out Measuring & Marking and Working Alone, 2 books by John Carroll. He figures out the easiest way to do everything, almost as lazy (or efficient) as Larry Haun.