The best squad
Squad – Buying Guide, Opinions and Analysis
The square is a very old measuring instrument, which is still one of the most important for drawing parallel and perpendicular lines, as well as making measurements at an angle. There are multiple purchase options on the market, so we have selected some of the most outstanding products. First, there is the Wolfcraft 5205000, a universal tool made of steel that can be used from both sides, with a row of holes that make it easy to draw parallel lines. For its part, the Silverline 732000 is a folding type square, with a locking mechanism for greater precision and has been made of high quality lightweight aluminum.
The 8 Best Squads – Opinions 2022
Although universal squares are useful in many DIY tasks, there are others that allow specific jobs to be carried out with greater comfort and precision. For this reason, we invite you to review the most relevant characteristics of the best squads of 2022 according to the opinion of many users. The main objective is that you choose one that you can adapt to your needs.
Metallic bracket
1. Wolfcraft 5205000-1 Universal Square
If you are looking for the best square for your DIY projects, this can be a good option, since it is designed for multiple uses both in homes and in workshops. In this sense, it can make it easier for you to transfer angles thanks to its angular scale, which is widely used in interior decoration, but also has other functions that bring you benefits.
This metal square has a 90° and 45° stop, which allows greater precision of use both in technical drawing and for making cuts in carpentry. In addition, it has a row of 32 holes to place marks without any difficulty and, for greater versatility, it incorporates a template that is used to drill cup-type hinges, widely used in furniture making.
It has been made of steel and its stopper is made of resistant plastic, so it is durable. It has a length of 300 mm, but you can also choose the 500 mm version if you work with larger pieces.
Wolfcraft is considered by many users as the best brand of squads. This is due to the quality of their products, which allows them to provide great benefits. However, it is worth reviewing the pros and cons of this model before making the purchase:
Pros
Stopper: It has a 45° and 90° stopper, making it easier to make lines at angles, allowing exact work and a more professional result in your DIY projects.
Length: It offers a total length of 300 mm, so it is indicated for small or medium-sized jobs.
Template: It has a template specially designed to place cup-type hinges.
Cons
Numbers: With time of use, the numbers may begin to disappear, as is often the case with this type of measuring instrument.
folding square
2. Silverline 732000 Folding Square 600mm
This square has graduations in meters and inches, so it can be used for multiple purposes depending on the work you are doing. At the same time, this allows it to be functional for people of different nationalities, whether they are from Europe, America or other parts of the world.
It may be the best squad of the moment if we take into account its practicality. It measures 61 x 60 x 2.5 cm and weighs only 331 g. One of the fundamental characteristics of this model is the possibility of folding the instrument, which means that it is easy to transport from one place to another. But that’s not all, it also includes a protective bag for this purpose.
This folding square incorporates a special adjustment mechanism, which is capable of achieving more precise angles of 90° and 45°. It has a total length of 60 cm. Also, it has been made with corrosion-resistant aluminum, so it is very durable.
If you don’t know which square to buy, you may be interested in this option because, although it is not one of the cheapest on the list, its price is adjusted to the quality and features it offers. Let’s review its pros and cons in detail:
Pros
Graduations: It has imperial and metric markings, making it functional for users of different nationalities.
Folding: Thanks to the fact that it is foldable, this model allows greater practicality in the transfer and storage.
Bag: Includes a protective bag to store the square more safely and extend its useful life.
Cons
Basic: It is a basic square that does not include templates or a row of holes, so it is at a disadvantage compared to other models on the list.
Team of carpenters
3. Zerodis 7 Inch Square Triangle Ruler
It is a carpenter’s square that also serves as a miter, protractor and ruler, so it can be used for multiple creative, repair or restructuring projects, both at an amateur and professional level. It has approximate dimensions of 26 x 18.6 x 18.5 cm.
You can make cross and angular strokes to precisely mark the cutting lines of the wood. It has scales to facilitate the cutting of the hip and valley beams, so it is used for the design of stairs. Plus, the graduations are easy to read, since the square is matte black and the numbers are white.
It has been made of aluminum alloy, so it is resistant to impacts and prevents corrosion. It includes the metric and imperial systems, so you can choose the most convenient according to your needs. So it is recommended for carpenters, craftsmen, interior designers and anyone who needs to make exact measurements.
To discover which is the best square, it is necessary to take into account the most important characteristics of each model. For this reason, we invite you to review the pros and cons of this product:
Pros
Multifunction: It can also be used as a miter, protractor, ruler, among other options for greater functionality.
Design: It has a black finish with white measurements, so you can easily read the data.
Resistance: Thanks to the fact that it has been made of aluminum alloy, this bracket resists corrosion and impacts.
Cons
Paint: The paint that covers the square can give way with time of use, making it difficult to read the numbers.
folding square
4. Draper Folding Carpenter’s Square
The Draper FSQU600 has been made of anodized aluminum, a very hard material, which provides resistance to corrosion and certain chemical products. This is a great advantage with respect to the squares that are painted with synthetic resins, since this instrument is generally subjected to friction with other elements, causing the paint to wear.
It serves to transport angles of 45° and 90°, so it is recommended for changing tiles, laying slabs, carrying out projects in the carpentry area and other decoration tasks. In addition, it is a folding square. In this sense, it is one of the most complete models on the list.
The package comes with a nylon case that makes it easy to transport and store, so you can use it both at home and in the workshop. In this case, it is a 600 mm square that has dimensions of 65.6 x 5.2 x 1.6 cm.
If you want a practical and useful square to carry out various projects professionally or you are simply a DIY enthusiast, then you should review the pros and cons of this model:
Pros
Material: It is made of anodized aluminum, that is, it has a more durable coating than paint.
Benefits: Serves in the areas of construction, carpentry and interior design, among other creative and commercial activities.
Case: Includes a transport and storage case that allows a longer useful life.
Cons
Holes: This square does not have a row of holes to mark parallel lines, which is a disadvantage when compared to other products on the list.
magnetic square
5. Silverline 633756 Magnetic Welding Square
This magnetic square is one of the cheapest on this list, however, it is very useful when welding metal pieces at 45°, 90° and 135° angles. This is important when doing window frames and other construction projects. In addition, it is very practical, since it measures 23.5 x 3 x 16.5 cm and only weighs 1.03 kg.
One of the advantages of this product is its powerful magnet, which allows you to fix different pieces to make welding points and then easily remove the square to continue welding. This is especially useful if you need an exact weld for a clean, professional result.
Not only does it keep your hands free so you can focus solely on welding, but it also withstands the weight of sizable parts for big jobs. As if that weren’t enough, it comes in an attractive and bright blue color so you can quickly find it among all your tools.
If you are looking for one of the cheapest squares, then you may be interested in this Silverline brand tool, since it is considered the best value for money square according to the opinion of some users. Let’s see its pros and cons:
Pros
Magnet: It has a very powerful magnet, capable of holding pipes and other metals so that you can weld more easily.
Design: It is compact but has a blue finish that allows it to be easily found among the other tools.
Angles: This is useful if you want to weld at 45°, 90° and 135° angles.
Cons
Shavings: Due to the great capacity of the magnet, you must keep it away from metal shavings.
wooden square
6. Helix T-Square T-Square Technical Drawing
This wooden square is very useful as a complement to a basic set of rules, since it serves as a support to slide other smaller squares on its edge. In this way, it is possible to make lines and create angles, which is why it is widely used in architecture and technical drawing.
It has a traditional T-square ruler design, making it very easy to use even for beginners. It features a natural wood-colored finish and has measurements in black. The base or head has the brand logo that gives it a more professional look.
It is an A2 size square, so it is 60 cm long. This makes it more useful than a traditional T-ruler, since you can use it for different drawings or projects on paper or wood, providing great precision to avoid mistakes and stains on the material.
When looking for a square to draw, it is necessary to take into account all its characteristics to know if they correspond to our needs. For this reason, it is worth reviewing the pros and cons of this product:
Pros
Practicality: It is very easy to use because it has the traditional T-shape, which allows simple lines to be made on paper.
Size: Is longer than most T-rulers for added versatility.
Design: It has a natural finish in wood color and the numbers are in black for better viewing.
Cons
Material: The wood used in its manufacture may be a bit fragile, so it is recommended to avoid impacts.
Horizontal folding bracket
7. Silverline 783421 Protractor Ruler
This model has very good quality and allows different measurement jobs to be carried out. It is a 60 cm ruler that has a folding system in the middle, so it is compact and small so you can easily take it from one place to another. It also has holes at the ends for easy storage.
This horizontal folding square offers graduations in centimeters and inches, for this reason, it is useful for multiple projects and can be used in many countries. Its folding system allows measuring lengths and transporting angles, since it is adjustable at 360°. For this purpose, a screw has been incorporated.
It’s made from stainless steel, one of the strongest and most durable materials, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion or impact. However, it only weighs 300g, so it doesn’t add too much weight to your tool bag.
To make accurate measurements at home it is good to have useful instruments, but they are not too expensive. This is the case with the Silverline 783421, so it’s worth taking a closer look at its pros and cons:
Pros
Folding: It is one of the few folding rules that can be used as a square and protractor, being at the same time very practical and precise.
Versatile: It has measurements marked in inches and centimeters, so you can adapt it to your particular need.
Resistance: Thanks to the fact that it has been made with stainless steel, it is a bracket resistant to corrosion and impacts.
Cons
Screw: The screw that is used to fix the angles is a bit rough and can easily lose the adjustment.
quick squad
8. Stanley STA46011-TB Two Color Quick Square
Its yellow color stands out with measurements marked in black, which allows easy reading for faster work. It has a length of 30 cm and its graduation is in inches, so it is used to carry out small projects at home and especially in the construction area, being very useful for precisely marking the beams of a ceiling.
This quick square has been made with ABS plastic, a material that does not risk rusting and yet withstands constant use by professionals or amateurs. It measures 30.5 x 43.2 x 3.3 cm and weighs only 141 g, so it’s easy to move from one place to another.
It has a very firm base that provides a good fit with different materials, to make precision lines. In addition, it can be used as a saw guide when cutting pieces of wood and other elements, which gives it greater versatility.
If you are looking for a roof repair square that offers good legibility, this may be the right product for you. However, it is advisable to review its pros and cons before making the purchase:
Pros
Design: Thanks to the contrast of the square in yellow and the numbers in black, it is very easy to read to speed up the measurement.
Size: It has a standard size that allows you to work with small and medium-sized pieces, without taking up too much space between your tools.
Material: It has been manufactured with ABS plastic that is very light and resists impacts for greater durability.
Cons
Graduation: The marks are only in inches, which can be inconvenient for certain users, especially in Spain.
Shopping guide
When making measurements in the area of a blueprint, worksheet or parts of different materials, it is important to use a quality square, which offers precision and at the same time is practical. For this reason, we have prepared this guide to buy the best square, to provide you with the most important information about this tool.
Guy
Although all the squares have the main purpose of facilitating the taking of exact measurements, there are different types that allow more specific uses. Among the most common are the wooden ones, which are light and yet have sufficient resistance. These are recommended for technical drawing and other activities.
Another type of very specific square is the magnetic one, which, as its name indicates, is equipped with a powerful magnet, which allows adjusting metal tubes to weld the pieces without having to hold them with your hands. Therefore, they are very useful for doing cleaner and more precise work.
For its part, the folding square is practical if you need to take it from one place to another, because it significantly reduces its size and shape. There are also horizontal folding ones, which are basically rulers with a folding mechanism in the middle, which have an angle measurement system and a rotary screw or button that allows you to adjust the opening so that it does not move while you draw.
On the other hand, the multifunction squares make it possible to carry out different jobs, for example, some have a row of holes to make half-centimeter marks, in order to draw parallel lines with great ease. Also, you can find a quick squad, which usually has multiple functions.
Graduation
One of the most relevant characteristics when comparing brackets is the unit of measure in which the graduation is expressed. A common mistake and the reason why many users return products after purchasing them is because they do not check this information in the specifications.
Remember that the most common worldwide are the metric and American systems. Although most people in Spain use centimeters, there are still users who prefer inches for certain projects. In addition, American foreigners living in European countries continue to buy imperial system instruments.
Before asking how much the square costs, the most important thing in this case is to define which system we want to use and review this data among the product characteristics before making the purchase. It is worth mentioning that there are squares that include both units of measurement and are not very expensive, so it is possible to find a good and cheap one.
If you choose a square with multiple functions, it is recommended that you look at all the graduations so that you have a clearer idea of the type of work that you can do with it. Some are special to measure the wooden beams in the construction of ceilings, while others include graduation to transport angles, so you can not lose sight of what your needs are.
Design
Beyond the external appearance of the square, it is essential to take into account the manufacturing materials, since they are part of the design, but have a function greater than the simple aesthetics of the instrument, since they also influence the weight, resistance and strength. durability. Among the most popular are aluminum, steel and ABS plastic.
Aluminum is one of the most used in the manufacture of folding brackets, since it is a very resistant material to corrosion and yet it is one of the lightest metals, so they are very practical brackets and easy to move from one place to another. other. For its part, stainless steel can be heavier, but it also offers better performance when it comes to constant use in a workshop.
Squares made of wood are very useful for drawing on paper, so they can be used by architects, engineers, drawing artists and other professionals, as a complement to other specialized rulers. However, they are also used by DIY enthusiasts in home woodworking workshops.
The markings of the numbers and graduations are important, since they can allow a more agile work depending on the level of legibility. They are usually painted with special black resins on a metal or wooden background. However, there are black squares with white markings, it is even possible to find yellow ones with black letters that stand out much more.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to use a square?
This depends on the project you are doing and the measure you want to make. You can use it alone to design on wood, since it allows you to draw angles, but also in metallurgy to make marks and then use cutting tools more precisely, as well as weld parts that require it.
One of the most important steps in using a square is the position in which you place it on the paper or material to be measured. In addition, some experience is necessary when you are going to use it as a complement to the bevel and other rules. In general, the square serves as a base to slide other instruments on its edges.
It’s as easy to use as any other guideline. In this case, you can move the square along the axis formed by the other instrument, but it will depend on each need.
Q2: What is the metal bracket for?
The metal square, whether made of aluminum or steel, is very useful in workshops, since it is more resistant and durable than the plastic or wood one, supporting a more intense work rhythm. In addition, this type of square can be used on any material without suffering major damage from friction.
Remember that, beyond metal, you should look at the functions of the squares, since there are some very basic ones, but there are also those that offer multiple uses because they have various forms of measurement. These are recommended for both hobbyists and advanced users.
Q3: How to make a homemade square?
You can make a very accurate homemade square in a few easy steps. The first thing is to select a hard wood, such as oak, mahogany, walnut, among others. This is important for the bracket to be impact resistant. In addition, it is good that the wood has a straight grain, without knots, since when you cut it you will be able to better maintain its straightness in order to later achieve more exact measurements.
The support piece could be 5 cm wide, by 20 cm long and 2 cm thick. While the marking piece can be 3 cm wide, 30 cm long and 1 cm thick. As you can see, the base must have a greater thickness, since you will have to empty one of its ends to insert the measurement piece.
Remember to calibrate the slats so that they have a single measurement in its entirety. You can do this with brush number 6 or 7. The thin piece should enter the thick piece with some difficulty, so that it fits more tightly. For this reason, it is recommended to make the hole with a hand saw and a drill. Even so, it is necessary to apply glue and let it dry for a better fixation.
Q4: Which is better, metal or plastic bracket?
Each square is designed for a specific purpose. The plastic square is lighter and is indicated for occasional use at home, while the metal one is more resistant and durable, so it can be used more profitably in specialized workshops. However, there are very resistant ABS plastic squares that are also very useful for professional use.
Some metal squares offer the benefit of being foldable, so they can be moved from one place to another without any difficulty. However, they are usually heavier than plastic ones.
Q5: What part of the bracket goes to the wall?
There are two options to answer this question. The squares, as in the case of other rulers, must always have the side with the measurements marked towards the user, while the surface without numbers can go to the wall or towards any other support that you wish to measure. However, there are squares that have measurements on both sides and this facilitates their use on the wall.
Now, there are supports called brackets, which are used to make very useful shelves, but they are not always easy to install. The easiest way to tell which part goes into the wall is to identify the screw holes. These indicate that this part should be on the wall, while the smooth surface will serve as a support for the wood or material that you are using to form the shelves.
Q6: How to make a right angle without square?
If you don’t have a square, you can use a protractor or ruler to draw a right angle. These instruments can come in many sizes, depending on the type of projects you do. At the base of the protractor you will find a point in the middle where the vertex of the angle will be. Then you must draw a straight line from that point to the side you need and, later, mark the necessary degrees using the graduation of the protractor. The starting point or vertex can be in any direction, so you can make these angles on any support.
Q7: How to fix a folding bracket?
Flip-up brackets typically have a rotary knob or adjustment screw. This element is strategically placed in the center of the rule, to be able to draw angles depending on the separation of the two parts. All you have to do is turn the screw clockwise once you’ve achieved the desired angle. When you’re done, just loosen the screw to find the next angle.
