Sliding Bevel vs Angle Finder for Recording a Roof Pitch
Recording a roof pitch is a simple measurement, but the tool you choose affects how...
Equipment
Tape Measure vs Folding Rule for Measuring Short Timber Components
For short timber components—cleats, blocking, trim returns, drawer parts and small frame members—the choice is...
Best Steel Rules for Marking Fine Joinery Setbacks
What a steel rule can—and cannot—do A steel rule is useful for checking and transferring...
How to Set a Marking Gauge from a Finished Timber Edge
A marking gauge transfers a line from a finished timber edge to a fixed distance....
How to Check a Framing Square for Accuracy Before Site Layout
Why check a framing square before layout? A framing square that is out of true...
Best Carpenter’s Squares for Checking Long Timber Assemblies
What the square needs to do Checking a long timber assembly is different from squaring...
Best Hand Planes for Fine Adjustments to Timber Stair Parts
Fine adjustments to stair parts rarely need a large jointer plane. They need control. A...
Best Mortise Gauges for Setting Parallel Tenon Cheeks
A mortise gauge is useful when a tenon needs two parallel cheek lines, one on...
Marking Knife vs Pencil for Laying Out a Fine Shoulder Line
A fine shoulder line is where a joint starts to look clean—or where a small...
How to Measure and Mark a Timber Stair Newel for a Handrail
Before You Mark the Newel For a handrail that lands on top of a timber...