In this guide we’ll take a look at the best speed squares for the UK market.
We’ve compared weight, material, finish and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What is the Best Speed Square?
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More Detailed Speed Square Reviews
Swanson Tool S0107 12-Inch Speed Square Layout Tool
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Swanson Tool S0107 12-Inch Speed Square Layout Tool Review
The Swanson Tool S0107 is one of the best speed squares because it’s well machined and comes with a useful layout bar for out of square corners. Designed by founder Albert Swanson back in 1925, this is the original and best speed square UK carpenters can get their hands on.
Die cast from one piece of solid aluminium alloy, this is a durable roofing square that will last a lifetime and comes with a few tricks up its sleeve- the patented diamond cut-out works like a window so you can square off lines scribed onto a board, and the legendary Swanson Blue Book is an in-depth guide to getting the most out of the best speed square.
Toolzone 12" Heavy Duty Aluminium Speed Square
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Toolzone 12" Heavy Duty Aluminium Speed Square Review
Based in Devon in the heart of the South West, Toolzone have made a handy speed triangle for making quick and accurate perpendicular lines on a range of sheet materials. Made from robust aluminium and finished in matte black for quick reading and weather resistance, the Toolzone 12″ Heavy Duty Aluminium Speed Square is probably the best speed square UK made.
What sets this heavy square tool apart from the competition is that it’s a metric speed square. Seeing as they’re a US invention, the majority of carpenters squares are imperial only, which makes it harder to use for those of us used to metric measurements. It’s a full-size framing square that you’ll use all the time.
Swanson Tool S0101 7" Imperial Speed Square
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Swanson Tool S0101 7" Imperial Speed Square Review
The Swanson Tool S0101 comes with all the same useful features of their full-size woodworking square, but in a “pocket” size. Made of the same materials as their best speed square, it’s the perfect tool for making quick, straight cuts or scribing rafter cuts.
Proudly made in the USA, this is a framing square that’s built to last from aluminium alloy. This isn’t just a rafter square though, it’s a useful multitool once you’ve learned all its tricks. Use it as a fence for cutting boards square or as a protractor, it’s up to you what you do with this speed triangle.
Stanley 46-071 Premium Quick Square Layout Tool
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Stanley 46-071 Premium Quick Square Layout Tool Review
One of the biggest names in tool production, STANLEY make a trusted and reliable speed triangle for use in woodworking and metalworking. Finished in matte black with bright yellow markings, the Stanley 46-071 Premium Quick Square Layout Tool is easy to use and built to take a beating.
If you’re looking for the best speed square UK DIYers can use, you might be disappointed. This rafter square is laid out in imperial measurements only, but the angles are accurate if you use it as a protractor. We like it because it does the job for a fraction of the price of the best speed square.
Johnson Level & Tool RAS-1 RAS-1B, 7" Rafter Square
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Johnson Level & Tool RAS-1 RAS-1B, 7" Rafter Square Review
US heavyweights Johnson Level & Tool make some of the best speed squares and other measuring equipment for professional use. Made of aluminium and powder coated for durability, the RAS-1AM roofing square is die-cast and then CNC machined for greater accuracy.
Proudly made in the USA to exacting standards, this framing square has a continuous scribing notch for marking out where to rip boards and comes with a useful manual for learning all this rafter square’s features. And when you’re done for the day, the bottle opener in the middle will come in more than handy.
Speed Square Buyer’s Guide
You’ll never know how you got by without the best speed square once you’ve tried it out.
Construction
A speed triangle needs to be light, durable and accurate. Only the highest grades of aerospace aluminium alloys are used to make the best speed squares.
Dimensions
Roofing squares come in two main sizes- the standard 12” framing square or pocket 7” carpenters square.
Main features
The most obvious feature of a speed square is the thick edge, used to make perpendicular cuts quickly. The best speed squares are packed with angle measurements, scribing notches, and rafter cut angles as well.
Used for
Speed triangles are used as a combination square, try square and framing square in one. A roofing square is used to mark out cuts for rafters or any angle between 0 and 90°. You can also scribe lines and use it to guide a saw across a board.
Used by
Framing squares are used by carpenters, metalworkers, engineers, hobbyists, DIYers and roofers.
Speed Squares FAQ
How do you use a speed square?
Using the best speed square is easy. Mastering all the features takes a bit of practice but it will save you time and effort.
To make perpendicular cuts with a circular saw, simply brace the roofing square against the board and use the thick edge as a fence.
To measure angles with your framing square, hold the speed triangle against the board and pivot it on the corner market “pivot” until the numbers on the edge match the degree you want.
To scribe, hold a pencil or marking tool in one of the scribing slots and slide the whole square tool along the board for a straight line.
Conclusion
Having the best speed square in your hand will speed up your work on site or in the shed because it’s simple to read and easy to use. They all do a similar job, but the best speed square UK users can get is the original and best speed square made by Swanson. The S0107 is a brilliant tool.
