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Q & A: Truing a Framing Square

 

Q:

I just inherited my grandpa’s framing
square. It’s big and heavy and I’d like
to use it but it isn’t square! How on
earth can I fix it?

 

A:

Get yourself a hammer and a center
punch. Then:

1.Draw a line on a straight-edged board
(MDF works great) using the square.

2. Flip over the square and draw another
line just to the right of the first.

3. If the lines diverge, peen the inside
corner of the square with a hammer
and center punch.

4. If the lines converge,peen the outside
corner.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the
lines are parallel.

To test a square, draw a line
on an MDF sheet. Flip
over the square and
draw another line
next to the first.

Click any image to view a larger version.

Peening the outside corner “closes” the square.

Peening the inside corner “opens” the square.

This story originally appeared in American Woodworker October 2000, issue #82.



October 2000, issue #82


Purchase this back issue.

 


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