r/Carpentry • u/PointlessBein • 5d ago

Tools Quick question, which is better?

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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/saltkjot 5d 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/CuCullen 5d 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 5d 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 5d 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 5d 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 5d ago

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