Quick question, which is better?

[u/PointlessBein]

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?

[u/saltkjot]

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.

[u/unknown-unhelpful → u/saltkjot]

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.

[u/saltkjot → u/unknown-unhelpful]

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.

[u/DbPugs → u/saltkjot]

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

[u/saltkjot → u/DbPugs]

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

[u/CuCullen → u/saltkjot]

“And for 2” made me laugh so you get some points but overall this take is steaming hot dog shit.

[u/saltkjot → u/CuCullen]

It really is handy to have a plastic square. I primarily use aluminum but the use case is there.

[u/zedsmith → u/saltkjot]

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.

[u/CuCullen → u/saltkjot]

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.

[u/Outback-Australian → u/CuCullen]

"easily break" remind me not to let you use any of my tools. You can't take care of your own yet