The 10 Best Carpentry Squares
Editor's Notes
February 09, 2021:
It was a fairly painless round of updates, as all of our previous picks continued to be great selections for this category. One thing that we did notice, however, is that our current list included six speed squares, and while nobody’s denying that a good speed square is an indispensable instrument for any carpenter – not too mention many other tradespersons working in construction – we did feel that 60% might be a bit too much representation for the tool, in a blanket category that’s supposed to cover all sorts of carpentry squares.
While framing squares did have decent representation on our list – in the form of the Vinca SCLS-2416, Johnson Level & Tool CS10, and arguably the infinitesimal Zona 37-434 – the only combination square that we were including was the Irwin Tools 1794469. So, in taking one small step toward getting these underrepresented tools the recognition they deserve, we removed the DeWalt Premium Rafter – recognizing that it was essentially the same offering as the Stanley 46-071 Premium Quick, just offered at twice the price – and replaced it with the Workhorse 3049 — a versatile piece of gear that includes an integrated level and protractor.
April 08, 2019:
Removed the Maxtech 18140MX due to it being clumsy to use, in large part due to the manufacturer's attempts to load the thing up with unnecessary features. It's a case of trying too hard and making something simple far too complicated.
In its place is a model from Irwin Tools. It's clean and simple, setting it in diametric opposition to the Maxtech. The bubble level ensures that your angles are always square, and it can be quickly taken apart for storage or if you just need a ruler.
When choosing between a metal or plastic model, pay less attention to the price difference (with a few exceptions, most of these are within a few bucks of each other) and consider other qualities the model has. Plastic models feature very little wobbling, and are ideal for anyone who suspects they'll abuse or misplace their new tool. Metal options are more durable, but there might be a little play in the ends, especially on longer models.