Try Squares, Mitre Squares, Saddle Squares, Double Squares, Graduated Steel Square
It is a matter of constant amazement that so many manufacturers are simply not capable of producing an accurate try square. Maybe the reason is that there is no standard set, in Germany at least, for these squares. On the whole, however, the old rule of thumb obtains: the accuracy varies with the amount you are willing to pay for your square. In addition, it is worth taking note whether the manufacturer is prepared to stand by a published quality standard. But: it can even be a cause of irritation, for each cut of the saw will alter the stresses in the timber and the angles or the edge to lay the square on will vary. The choice of quality in squares should match the task and the material.
Rosewood, brass, hardened steel - these are the materials used by the small CROWN factory in Sheffield to make their pleasing squares and bevels. The standard they are made to is BRITISH STANDARD. Try squares are permitted a tolerance of only 0.01 mm per cm of steel blade under BRITISH STANDARD 3322 - i.e. no more than 0.3 mm on a 305 mm try square. The measurements given relate to the inside edge of the steel blade.
ECE precision squares have a blue spring steel blade with a mm scale. The rosewood stock and the spring steel are riveted together with 4 brass rivets. Both the internal and external edges of the stock have a brass strip inserted into a double groove. ECE guarantees the accuracy to +- 0.1 mm over the length of the steel blade. The measurements given relate to the inside edge of the steel blade.
Something special are the double squares made by Starrett. The sliding blades are adustable making it more practical for a wide variety of uses than a common square with fixed blade.
Have a look to our acrylic try square made in Japan! To be found at the bottom of this page!
Click on the pictures to see enlargements of the try squares!
If you are interested in a try square with wood parts, please read why carpenter’s squares with wood parts must be stored in dry areas! Do not omit to check the small and accurate square made by Richard Kell. If you consider the squares on this page as too small, why not to improve a large framing square with a Veritas fence?
CROWN Try Squares
made in Sheffield, England
ECE Try Square with additional function for parallel marking
This square saves a second tool. The marking holes have a distance of 5 mm.
See how to use
Blade 200 mm long with lasered mm scale
Handle made of beechwood with brass rail
Diameter of marking holes: 2 mm
Order nr.
301118 
Price
€ 36.50
E.C.E. Tool Set "Measuring and Marking"
This tool set consists of:
1 precision try square with mitre 300 mm nr. 301128 (ECE-nr. 410)
1 precision bevel 300 mm nr. 301130 (ECE-nr. 411)
1 marking gauge with lignum vitae nr. 301137 (ECE-nr. 217 P)
1 pencil, oval 240 mm
1 folding rule 2000 mm
in wooden box
Order nr.
301289 
Price
€ 159.00
Graduated Steel Square
These robust stainless steel squares are versatile tools for measuring and marking. The blades are marked with both Imperial and metric scales in 1 mm and 1/16 in. graduations respectively. Graduations cover inside and outside measurements, so it is easy to start from the edge of a workpiece.
Enlargement! When you
turn the square, you can see the side with inch graduation.
Blade length |
Outside graduation |
Inside graduation |
Order nr. |
Price |
170 mm 6-3/4 inch |
150 mm 6 inch |
120 mm 5 inch |
300161 |
€ 10.95 |
ECE Precision Mitre Square
| Blade length |
Order nr. |
Price |
| 250 mm |
301131 |
€ 42.00 |
| 300 mm |
301132 |
€ 47.00 |
STARRETT Double Square with hardened blade - small edition
The sliding blades are adjustable making it more practical for a wide variety of uses than a common square with fixed blade. The faces of the head are ground square. The blade can be used as steel rule.
The graduations are edged deeply and easy to read and are to read on ...
the 1st side: 1/2 mm and 1 mm from left to right
the 2nd side: both edges 1 mm from left to right
Blade: 100 x 16,3 x 1.6 mm
Overall size 100 x 62.8 mm
Order nr.
306426 
Price
€ 48.00
STARRETT Double Square with hardened blade and additional bevel blade - small edition
As above, but with additional bevel blade, featuring an octagon angle 45° at one end and an hexagon angle 60° at the other end, clearly marked.
Double Square with 45° and 60° fence mounted
Order nr.
306427 
Price
€ 79.50
STARRETT Double Square with hardened blade - large edition
The graduations are edged deeply and easy to read and are to read on ...
the 1st side: 1/2mm and 1mm from left to right
the 2nd side: both edges 1 mm from left to right
Blade: 150 x 25.4 x 2.0 mm
Overall size 150 x 97.4 mm
Order nr.
306428 
Price
€ 62.50
STARRETT Double Square with hardened blade and additional bevel blade - large edition
As above, but with additional bevel blade, featuring an octagon angle 45° at one end and an hexagon angle 60° at the other end, clearly marked.
Picture left: Double Square with 45° and 60° fence mounted
Order nr.
306429 
Price
€ 96.00
Have a look to the STARRETT-combination squares.
Important: The parts of Combination squares and Double squares cannot be interchanged due to different thicknesses of blade and face!
Acrylic Try Square
Over all size 100 x 72 mm,
Width/thickness of blade: 20 x 4 mm,
Width/thickness of fence 25 x 15 mm,
Blade with mm-graduation starting from the end of the blade.
Due to the inserted vial you can use this try square as accurate spirit level too.
Order nr.:
312134 
Price
€ 15.90
Small Try Square - from Japan
With precise inside and outside graduation 15 and 11 cm, asthetically pleasing.
Order nr.
309600 
Price
€ 15.90
Square with Mitre
A versatile tool with 90°, 45° and 135°. Size 16 x 11 cm. Made by Shinwa.
Order nr.
309601 
Price
€ 13.90
Mitre Square
Length 11 cm. Made by Shinwa.
Order nr.
309602 
Price
€ 8.90
Mitre Square
as above, with graduation of 10 cm
Order nr.
309603 
Price
€ 9.90
Square with Mitre
Make both markings in one step!
Made of aluminium, blade 60 mm.
Order nr.
309606 
Price
€ 14.90
Doppel-Gehrungswinkel
For marking both left and right handed mitres in one step.
Made of aluminium, blade width 60 mm, blade length 197 mm.
Order nr.
309621 
Price
€ 14.90
Saddle Square
Transferring a line from one surface to another perpendicular surface with a small square is never easy. Wrap this line around all faces and you'll see how far off you can be from your start position.
This saddle square solves this problem by allowing you to scribe two perpendicular surfaces at a time. More important, it allows you to pick up on a line already scribed, and accurately transfer it to another face perpendicular to it. Made of aluminium.
Short inside leg: 32 mm = 1-1/4 in.
Long inside leg: 57 mm = 2-1/4 in.
Width: 50 mm = 2 in.
Order nr.
307993 
Price
€ 12.90
Large Saddle Square
This version has a slot machined through the center to help lay out stud locations. Simply mark the centers of your studs on top and bottom plate, then place the square so that the slot is on the center mark.
Mark both sides of the saddle square to give accurate and square stud locations.
Short inside leg: 35 mm = 1-3/8 in.
Long inside leg: 86 mm = 3-3/8 in.
Width: 38 mm = 1-1/2 in.
Order nr.
307994 
Price
€ 13.90
Also see
Veritas dovetail markers 1:6 und 1:8!
Miter Saddle
When working on small items such as picture frames, a large combination square or try square can often be cumbersome. Not so with this miter saddle. The relatively small size makes it easy to use.
Despite its size, it still has a large reference face (3-1/2 in. (89 mm) at the wide end) set at 45°. The leg measures 1 in. (25.4 mm) wide by 2-1/4 in. (57 mm) long. As with the saddle squares, the sides are machined so that a line can be easily and accurately transferred around workpiece corners. With the miter saddle, however, a right-angle line on one surface is transferred as a 45° angle on the adjoining surface, or vice versa. This way, a line for a miter cut can be wrapped around all surfaces precisely and will meet perfectly at the corners. The inside corner is relieved to ensure perfect registration, even on saw whiskers.
Made from anodized aluminum, this marker is light and durable, and will never mark your work.
Order nr.
307842
Price
€ 12.90