What's a Square that's not Square - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

JohnB · 03-12-2009, 12:53 AM

A piece of scrap metal.

and a Level that ain't level ain't a level
A few yeard ago I bought a new "Square" got it home and it turned out to be scrap, so took it back and bought another one and it to was only scrap.

I now test any that I buy

Here's how.

Just take the square to the service desk and ask for a pencil, place the square on the edge of the desk and draw a line on the top. reverse the square and draw another line on top of the original. If there is only one line it's a Square if the lines are at an angle to each other it's scrap.

With a Level, you just place it on a horizontal or vertical surface and note the position of the bubble, then spin the level around and do it again. If the bubbles in the same position both ways it's a Level, if it's not it's scrap.

This little bit of info may just save a couple of unnecessary trips back to the hardware shop.

wood-n-things · 03-12-2009, 02:11 AM

Great tip and right on.

Aussie Aussie Aussie....Good luck against Mexico tonight in the world baseball classic!

jigsue · 03-12-2009, 11:21 AM

John

You are an ace inventor - where the hell do you keep all of these jigs and how ever do you find the one you need when you want it.

A funny story from the other day - as you know, we are boaties - our restoration project is in the drive, but we have other friends with boats actually in the water. We all rely on the help of friends from time to time and a joiner turned up to give a friend a hand on his floating boat. Ken (our friend) couldn't stop laughing when the guy got out a spirit level to check on his work!!! He told him "on a boat, if it looks right, it's right"

Perhaps you could make up some jigs for this purpose, if I need one, I sure know who to ask!!!

Sue

KtownScroller · 03-12-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jigsue

John

You are an ace inventor - where the hell do you keep all of these jigs and how ever do you find the one you need when you want it.

A funny story from the other day - as you know, we are boaties - our restoration project is in the drive, but we have other friends with boats actually in the water. We all rely on the help of friends from time to time and a joiner turned up to give a friend a hand on his floating boat. Ken (our friend) couldn't stop laughing when the guy got out a spirit level to check on his work!!! He told him "on a boat, if it looks right, it's right"

Perhaps you could make up some jigs for this purpose, if I need one, I sure know who to ask!!!

Sue

Looks like you need a gyroscope level Sue! LOL!!!

sawdustus · 03-12-2009, 01:28 PM

Thanks for the tips John. I am in the market for a new square and that test is just what I will do.

george

Janette · 03-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Good tip John...I thought the answer would be ............ ME !

(ok for those that don't know...my last name is SQUARE)

wood-n-things · 03-12-2009, 03:45 PM

Janette. Now That's funny! ROFLPMP

bubbantenn · 03-12-2009, 04:01 PM

I guess I'm just not with it today. Before I read the thread I was gonna say a square dance.

Bubba

Janette · 03-12-2009, 04:55 PM

Actually...I've always said that I'm a "ROUND" SQUARE

AKAkopa · 03-12-2009, 07:41 PM

You would be surprised how many squares I have turned into scrap in my days! After dropping them a few times and then kicking them across the garage as I chase after the derned things (I think they take life unto their own once they hit the floor!) they are usually no longer square either. One thing about it I now have have a bunch of steel rules mounted on the edge of benches and can usually find one after searching for my missing tape measures.

As far as levels go, back in my days working construction everyone said I was a half-a-bubble off anyway so these don't hardly work for me either! With my last name I was Half-a Bubble Hubble!

03-12-2009, 12:53 AM	#1
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 5,198	What's a Square that's not Square A piece of scrap metal. and a Level that ain't level ain't a level A few yeard ago I bought a new "Square" got it home and it turned out to be scrap, so took it back and bought another one and it to was only scrap. I now test any that I buy Here's how. Just take the square to the service desk and ask for a pencil, place the square on the edge of the desk and draw a line on the top. reverse the square and draw another line on top of the original. If there is only one line it's a Square if the lines are at an angle to each other it's scrap. With a Level, you just place it on a horizontal or vertical surface and note the position of the bubble, then spin the level around and do it again. If the bubbles in the same position both ways it's a Level, if it's not it's scrap. This little bit of info may just save a couple of unnecessary trips back to the hardware shop. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you. Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

03-12-2009, 02:11 AM	#2
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 6,019 Blog Entries: 1	Great tip and right on. Aussie Aussie Aussie....Good luck against Mexico tonight in the world baseball classic! __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. I don't make mistakes..I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong. Mike's Wood-n-Things

03-12-2009, 01:28 PM	#5
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,255	Thanks for the tips John. I am in the market for a new square and that test is just what I will do. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

03-12-2009, 03:30 PM	#6
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,326 Blog Entries: 4	Good tip John...I thought the answer would be ............ ME ! (ok for those that don't know...my last name is SQUARE) __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

03-12-2009, 03:45 PM	#7
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hamilton, Montana Posts: 6,019 Blog Entries: 1	Janette. Now That's funny! ROFLPMP __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. I don't make mistakes..I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong. Mike's Wood-n-Things

03-12-2009, 11:21 AM	#3
jigsue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 869	John You are an ace inventor - where the hell do you keep all of these jigs and how ever do you find the one you need when you want it. A funny story from the other day - as you know, we are boaties - our restoration project is in the drive, but we have other friends with boats actually in the water. We all rely on the help of friends from time to time and a joiner turned up to give a friend a hand on his floating boat. Ken (our friend) couldn't stop laughing when the guy got out a spirit level to check on his work!!! He told him "on a boat, if it looks right, it's right" Perhaps you could make up some jigs for this purpose, if I need one, I sure know who to ask!!! Sue

03-12-2009, 04:01 PM	#8
bubbantenn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 835	I guess I'm just not with it today. Before I read the thread I was gonna say a square dance. Bubba __________________ "The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations." ~Calvin Coolidge~

03-12-2009, 04:55 PM	#9
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,326 Blog Entries: 4	Actually...I've always said that I'm a "ROUND" SQUARE __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

03-12-2009, 07:41 PM	#10
AKAkopa Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 251	You would be surprised how many squares I have turned into scrap in my days! After dropping them a few times and then kicking them across the garage as I chase after the derned things (I think they take life unto their own once they hit the floor!) they are usually no longer square either. One thing about it I now have have a bunch of steel rules mounted on the edge of benches and can usually find one after searching for my missing tape measures. As far as levels go, back in my days working construction everyone said I was a half-a-bubble off anyway so these don't hardly work for me either! With my last name I was Half-a Bubble Hubble!

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