A Try Square
is a highly popular tool used to quickly check and/or mark the squareness (90 degrees
/ right-angle) of a piece of work, it is also used to mark straight lines by running
a pencil or marking knife along the edge of the try squares straight blade.
Try squares simply consist of a thick bodied main stock (handle) and a blade (straight
edge) set at 90 degrees to each other.
The stock may be made from metal or wood with the blade in most cases made from steel with
occasional blades made from wood or brass.
Old try squares found today usually have a Rosewood or Ebony stock mixed with contrasting
brass parts such as protective plate edges and decorative rivit inlaid covers. In the past
there have been some highly elaborate and unusual try square designs, these try squares
can be of particular interest to try square collectors / tool collectors.
This popular style of try square is still made today though often with a slightly less
elaborate style. One new try square manufacturer which continues the traditions of their
family line is the Joseph Marples try square makers. Joseph Marples sometimes make
special edition try squares / tools which are tools to marvel.
A try square is measured from the furthest point of the blade to where the blade meets the
stock. If this measurement is 6" then it is a 6" try square.
Try squares usually have a slightly lower accuracy tolerance than that of an engineers /
machinist square.
Try squares are a tool which have been used for centuries and surely will be a tool used
for years to come.
The try square is a tool found in most tool-kits / workshops of cabinet makers, jointers,
carpenters, woodworkers, DIY'ers and hobbyists around the world.
What is a try & mitre square? A try & mitre square is a square
capable of marking 90 degree angles (square) and 45 degree angles (mitre).
A try & mitre square looks just like a try square (see above) except the top of
the stock (handle) is cut at a 45 degree angle.
There have been a number of try square makers in the past, and present. Below are a list of a few well known try square manufacturers:
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