True & Square

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  • poolhound
    Veteran Member
    • Mar 2006
    • 3196
    • Phoenix, AZ
    • BT3100

    #1

    True & Square

    A semi serious question/poll.

    Lots of differing methods to keeping square. Whats your favorite or standard method or care to share tips and tricks with the group.

    Jon
    196
    Meticulously measure & cut, frequently checking for size and square so it will assemble perfectly
    19.90%
    39
    Dryfit, adjust, then glue and clamp adjusting clamp positions to keep square.
    29.08%
    57
    Use clamping blocks, angle iron or other aid
    20.92%
    41
    Glue and clamp with a camp across the diagonals to square it
    16.84%
    33
    Just build it and adjust afterwards with plane, saw, hammer or whatever else is handy.
    2.55%
    5
    Who cares, I like things at angles
    2.55%
    5
    What’s square
    8.16%
    16
    Jon

    Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
    ________________________________

    We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
    techzibits.com
  • cabinetman
    Gone but not Forgotten RIP
    • Jun 2006
    • 15216
    • So. Florida
    • Delta

    #2
    I had to vote for the first four. They all can play a part in the outcome.
    .

    Comment

    • leehljp
      The Full Monte
      • Dec 2002
      • 8773
      • Tunica, MS
      • BT3000/3100

      #3
      Like Cab, I do the first four but I grew up doing number 4 as the final say so in squaring.
      Hank Lee

      Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

      Comment

      • lebomike
        Established Member
        • Jan 2008
        • 146
        • Pennsylvania
        • Ryobi BT3000

        #4
        I do the first two. My grandfather was a pattern maker and this is the way he taught me. Been doing it this way for 40 yrs .
        "The power of kindness is immense. It is nothing less, really, than the power to change the world."

        Comment

        • jhart
          Veteran Member
          • Feb 2004
          • 1715
          • Minneapolis, MN, USA.
          • BT3100

          #5
          I've tried numerous ways and can't say I've really found a good way yet, but I keep on trying to improve. I think the cutting is the most difficult and many times one piece is off and throws it out of square. Will have to say that I am getting better though. A lot of helpful info from this forum.
          Anyway, because of the above, I voted for "what's square?"
          Joe
          "All things are difficult before they are easy"

          Comment

          • AAJIII
            Established Member
            • Jan 2003
            • 306
            • WANAQUE, NJ, USA.
            • Steel City 10" table saw

            #6
            I have to say tht my first rule is "Start square, end square"

            I always check each componet for square prior to assembly, it takes a little more time in the prep but it saves a load of time in the assembly.

            It is much easier to fit doors and drawers if the unit is square.

            Nothing is ever perfect so 1/32 to 1/16 out is no problem.

            AL
            AL JEWELL

            Comment

            • Lonnie in Orlando
              Senior Member
              • May 2003
              • 649
              • Orlando, FL, USA.
              • BT3000

              #7
              I use all of the first four - sometimes to excess.

              But how do you KNOW the case / drawer / frame / etc is square?

              I use pinch rods to compare diagonals to check for square. They've been used for centuries. I find them easier, faster, and more accurate than a tape measure.

              Mine are two scrap pieces ~3/4 X 1/2 with steep beveled ends and a ledge bradded to one piece. The ledge holds the two pieces parallel.

              Extend pointed ends into diagonal corners, pinch, scratch a reference mark across both pieces. Check opposite corners. Adjust case with clamps across the long diagonal until reference marks are the same for both corners.

              FWW version ...
              http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki...es/bw0001.asp?

              - Lonnie
              Attached Files
              Last edited by Lonnie in Orlando; 03-06-2008, 08:25 AM.
              OLD STUFF ... houses, furniture, cars, wine ... I love it all

              Comment

              • ironhat
                Veteran Member
                • Aug 2004
                • 2553
                • Chambersburg, PA (South-central).
                • Ridgid 3650 (can I still play here?)

                #8
                I like the simplicity of your pinch rod, Lonnie. You do the pinching instead of a thumb screw. I wouldn't like fooling with that but I'm going to throw together one of yours tonight!
                Blessings,
                Chiz

                Comment

                • Lonnie in Orlando
                  Senior Member
                  • May 2003
                  • 649
                  • Orlando, FL, USA.
                  • BT3000

                  #9
                  Chiz:

                  Forgot to note ...

                  The pinch rod that I posted was made to compare inside diagonals. For outside diagonals, attach a block on the end of each rod. Cut a groove in the blocks to catch the corner of the casework.

                  If you mount the blocks an inch or so from the pointed ends, you can use the rods for inside and for outside diagonals.

                  - Lonnie
                  OLD STUFF ... houses, furniture, cars, wine ... I love it all

                  Comment

                  • niki
                    Senior Member
                    • Nov 2006
                    • 566
                    • Poland
                    • EB PK255

                    #10
                    I was using the "pinch bars" (bar measure) but I modified the ends...

                    I got tired from cleaning the glue squeeze-out from the ends...


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                    Comment

                    • Lonnie in Orlando
                      Senior Member
                      • May 2003
                      • 649
                      • Orlando, FL, USA.
                      • BT3000

                      #11
                      Niki:

                      I like the round ends to avoid glue in the corners.

                      Here's an idea ...
                      Make the round ends a little longer on one side. Then you can use the pinch bars for inside diagonals and for outside diagonals. Hook the outside corner in the slot in the round end.

                      We may be reinventing the wheel, but it's progress!

                      - Lonnie
                      OLD STUFF ... houses, furniture, cars, wine ... I love it all

                      Comment

                      • poolhound
                        Veteran Member
                        • Mar 2006
                        • 3196
                        • Phoenix, AZ
                        • BT3100

                        #12
                        Lots of great discussions, especially about pinch bars.

                        As 6 folks were asking whats square should we be worried?

                        BTW its a regular 4 sided object with all sides the identical length perpedicular to the adjoining side (90degrees)


                        I thought we might have more folks saying the used the woodworker finessing tool - The HAMMER
                        Jon

                        Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
                        ________________________________

                        We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
                        techzibits.com

                        Comment

                        • niki
                          Senior Member
                          • Nov 2006
                          • 566
                          • Poland
                          • EB PK255

                          #13
                          Thank you Lonnie

                          You idea is very good but, I never had to check outside diagonals...usually the outside of a carcass or a frame that I'm gluing is full of clamps and blocks...as in the pics below

                          Regards
                          niki
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                          Comment

                          • ironhat
                            Veteran Member
                            • Aug 2004
                            • 2553
                            • Chambersburg, PA (South-central).
                            • Ridgid 3650 (can I still play here?)

                            #14
                            Niki, are your rods a pair of 1 meter and the other about half of that? I guess it's not so important but I'm just curious. The rounded ends are neat as well.
                            Blessings,
                            Chiz

                            Comment

                            • LinuxRandal
                              Veteran Member
                              • Feb 2005
                              • 4890
                              • Independence, MO, USA.
                              • bt3100

                              #15
                              Niki

                              One of your other idea's gave me one. Those triangles you built, screw some clamp plate to them and use them to make sure the cabinet is square during assembly.
                              She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.

                              Comment

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