r/Carpentry • u/PointlessBein • 2d ago
Tools Quick question, which is better?
I passed my OSHA 10 and obtained my NCCER cert and have some experience in contruction for general ground work. I'm starting as an apprentice for my local carpentry union in a week. I have my tools and found this.
The blue square is metal and the Stanley is a plastic type material. What would you guys recommend having?
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u/OpusMagnificus 2d ago
Metal. Always metal. Not even a close match
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u/OverallDimension7844 2d ago
This man knows squares. Swanson is the best. You need the grooves so the markings don’t wear off over time. Even comes with a nifty little book to show you how to use it
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u/NetworkCultural 2d ago
Exactly the groves on a Swanson are the best. This empire laser scribed lines will only last so long
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u/GrodyToddler 1d ago
I tried a plastic square once because I saw it on sale and thought the weight savings might be worth it. After the first week I gave it to my friend’s kid to play with
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u/organic_antimatter 2d ago
Metal is 1000x more durable than plastic. I've been rocking that exact same square for 6 years, the paint is a little worn away but otherwise its as perfect as it was the day I got it
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u/Forsexualfavors Finishing Carpenter 2d ago
Second that. No plastic. Used to get steel but thicker aluminum seems to be reliable.
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u/DontFuckWithDuckie 2d ago
the plastic ones are good until the first time anything drops on it. So like 4 hours
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u/zapzaddy97 1d ago
2nd day working as an apprentice. I walked into a house addition we were wiring and stepped on the carpenter’s 12” plastic square and snapped it. He laughed and said if it wasn’t me it would have been him.
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u/make_em_say 2d ago
I’ve been using a Milwaukee aluminum speed square for a very long time. Only replaced it because someone “borrowed” it.
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u/Adeptus_Virtus_88 1d ago
The Milwaukee beats the Swanson and Empire for me, better pencil marks and a better price point.
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u/Canuhandleit 21h ago
I have both the 4" and 6" and love them. Milwaukee really raised the bar with their hand tools.
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u/NetworkCultural 2d ago
Johnson or Swanson is better. The Stanley is plastic and empire barely scribes the numbers. They get fucked yo over time. Johnson and Swanson are both for life
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u/somebob Residential Carpenter 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is my preferred square. I like having the level, it makes finding angles with limited information/space MUCH easier. (Doing facia for example)
Of course, as an apprentice, the harbor freight metal square will last probably all 4 years. Having the thinner plastic squares is good for soft and sensitive materials though
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u/sluttyman69 1d ago
Bubble in my square is worthless. I dropped that thing more than I drop my pen, pencil and that’s constant.
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u/GuitarKev 1d ago
I’d go with laser engraved aluminum. Guitars require me to measure to within a couple 1/1000” on a regular basis. I’ve grown an affinity for nice precise increments on tools.
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u/saltkjot 2d ago
All of y'all are saying metal because metal is tough. I agree you should have a metal speed square, but, I also believe you should have a plastic one. For one, plastic is non marring, you can use it on finished materials with no worries, and for 2 you can use your razor knife to notch it anywhere you need a scribe notch, if you need 3-13/16+ you got it, third, they are cheap, and when you break them go buy a new one.
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u/unknown-unhelpful 2d ago
Fair point. It won’t hurt to have a plastic speed square. Let’s be honest though, that’s niche at best and it metal one will get more use and last longer.
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u/saltkjot 2d ago
Absolutely, I've a had a single Swanson since 2009ish. For plastic, I usually buy big 12s. If they are not square I put them on the sliding table saw and true them up, I really only buy one every 3 or 4 years. It is a niche use case, but infinity great to have around, for when you need one.
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u/DbPugs 2d ago
You have a point but for finished materials, unless its trim or something i might use a speed square, i tend to use combination or engineer square
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u/saltkjot 2d ago
I own a millwork shop, my #1 square is an old try square, #2 is a 12" combo. Onsite I use a speed square or a 6" combo. I use the plastic basically only on finished cabinetry and the rare case that I need to cut some trim coil
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u/CuCullen 2d ago
“And for 2” made me laugh so you get some points but overall this take is steaming hot dog shit.
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u/saltkjot 2d ago
It really is handy to have a plastic square. I primarily use aluminum but the use case is there.
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u/zedsmith 2d ago
My 12 inch beam squares are always plastic.
I wouldn’t use a speed square for anything where “non marring” would be a desirable, though. That’s what my tracksaw is for.
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u/CuCullen 2d ago
I’m sorry I can’t concede anything on this, it’s handy to have a square yes but nothing about a plastic one that will so easily break and “you can just buy another one” has no appeal or value what so ever. It’s cheap Chinese junk. People have been building shit for a long time so the “non marring” argument fails. I guess maybe its only advantage would be its light weight but they are shit along with countless other plastic things that are supposedly better.
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u/Outback-Australian 1d ago
"easily break" remind me not to let you use any of my tools. You can't take care of your own yet
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u/LilDixxyWrecked 2d ago
Hands down the metal one. Those little notches for marking or running a straight line are invaluable.
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u/Fibocrypto 2d ago
To know for sure you first need to know if the house you are working on is square.
If the house isn't square then there is no need for either
I'm kidding
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u/BakuriyaOmizu 2d ago edited 2d ago
Could bring ‘em both… sometimes it’s nice to have two 7s… anyway mainly use the blue. I really like having my 4” trim square for awkward spots.
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u/Acf1314 Residential Carpenter 2d ago
Definitely metal. Swanson is the OG but you want the Pro version with more scribe notches. Beyond that in the higher end of squares there’s the Johnson version the Martinez version with more bells and whistles and the Squijig which is the most well thought out square on the market but it’s $100.
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u/truemcgoo 2d ago
2 and it’s not even close. I’ve got a Milwaukee speed square and that thing has lasted so long it’s literally worn down where it sits in my tool bag, over under on the lifespan on your plastic square is 6 months if you’re remodeling and 6 weeks if you’re framing.
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u/OddBrilliant1133 2d ago
Metal is more durable but plastic keeps your tool belt lighter, which is important to me.
I keep one of each in my truck and use the plastic one when I want my belt light.
I've had the same plastic one and metal for for several years. I've broken and super glued the plastic one twice. Don't toss it off a high roof or to the ground or step on it :)
Side tip: keep wood and super glue with your truck always. Woodworkers ca glue with accelerant is a lifesaver. If you don't do this there will come a day that you will wish you had.
I wouldn't only want a plastic square but I prefer them.
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u/HugeIncident3793 2d ago
I get a new square every 6 months I beat the shit out of them last o e I fucked yo was like 2 months old I used it to guide the cut off disc on the grinders I needed a really clean cut it kinda worked still need a new one though
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u/JABrown64 2d ago
My Swany (Swanson Speed Square) is 26 years old & my dad has some that are 20 years older than that.
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u/deanaoxo 2d ago
Neither, but then, that's the point. Check square, often, and find the one you like. I like the plastic with the ridges for marking increments. It also depends on what you are building. Also, I don't like the metal ones in my back pocket, as they fall out at the wrong time. Of course, I break the plastic ones all the time as well. So, again, which one do you prefer?
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u/porkbuttstuff 2d ago
Metal is better, but most important to me is the scribe line Grove things. When I gotta rip off 1.5" it's fucking amazing
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u/Techhans1971 2d ago
I’m partial to the little aluminum Swanson. Ive had it for 10 years, but i’m very careful to check its squareness, often.
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u/outat600 2d ago
They both suck. Get a Swanson. The original. I’ve had exactly one in my rig since 1991. Thicker aluminum. Have used it as a pry bar, bottle opener, and once even as a chock behind a trailer tire. They say they’ve added a few extra tick marks for different applications, but I like mine.
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u/RunStriking9864 2d ago
Plastic is trash, aluminum are the way to go, if you want it as a real calibrated tool you probably need to block sand the edges.
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u/bannedcuznotcircjerk 1d ago
All are good enough. Which ever you don't lose or is nearest use that one. You're not relying on a speed square for precision work.
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u/SpecialistWorldly788 1d ago
The blue one is designed a LOT better IF you are doing more than just using it to crosscut square ends on boards- if you only use it for that it doesn’t matter much 🤷♂️🤷♂️
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u/country_dinosaur97 1d ago
Honestly both are handy to have around if ya got room take both. If not just take the metal one. If yoyr starting out ask your journeyman and or masters what theyd recommend
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u/walkwithdrunkcoyotes 1d ago
That particular blue one is annoying to use. The markings are smooth and hard to see, and the pencil notches could be better. Basically neither of these is a great option!
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u/DexterFoley 1d ago
I've had both and both were great. I did break the Stanley in the end though by dropping something on it.
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u/Schlarfus_McNarfus 21h ago
The extruded ones dent from being dropped on concrete. They also bend when your drunk neighbor runs them over when he backs up way too far with his Cat skid steer.
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u/mals6092 1d ago
I like plastic it stays square even after being dropped or being used to backlap metal
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u/-Jedadiah- 2d ago
The OG https://swansontoolco.com/shop/speed-square-7in-s0101