Keeping It Square 101

There is nothing more fustrating than getting part way through a project and finding things have gone wonky. There are ways to prevent this as you work along, both through measurement and with the use of jigs to keep things in place.

Rule of Diagionals

A four sided object with opposite sides of equal lengths will have square corners if the length of the diagionals are equal.

This is probably the most used method of squaring cabinets and bookcases.

3 - 4 - 5 Rule

 

A triangle with sides measuring 3 units X 4 units X 5 units ( or any multiple of them such as 6 - 8 - 10 or 12 - 16 - 20 ) will always have a square corner where the 3 and 4 unit sides meet. To square a corner measure 3 units along one side and 4 units along the other side, adjust the sides until the diagional equals 5 units.

 

Corner Box

Fasten 1 X 4 strips to a corner of a sheet of plywood with two factory edges.

Use this to align top and one sideof a project such as a gate or door which gives you a square corner to work from.

Corner Jigs for Boxes

Use lengths of angle iron to keep corners of a box or carcass square, clamp the angle iron so it is just snug, then wrap one or two web clamps around the outside of the box. This will work for any type of joint, usually two at opposite corners will be sufficient, clamp both ends of angle iron if possible.

Round the outside corner of the angle iron with a file to make room for any glue that squeezes out.
Cut triangles from 3/4" plywood or MDF for narrow boxes. Round the inside corner for glue squeeze out on these as well.

Squaring a Board

To square a board follow these steps:

Run board through jointer or hand plane one edge and one face straight.

Run board through planer to attain desired thickness, with straight face down.

Run board through table saw and cut second edge with guide set aprox. 1/16" wider than finished size of board.

Run board through jointer or hand plane second edge to desired width.

Cut one end of board square aprox. 1/8" from end.

Measure length and cut second end.

For panels glue up boards before trimming ends.

  • Cross cutting on a table saw is easier if a cut-off sled is used.
  • For exceptionally curved boards true one side with this jig before jointing.

To Test a Square

Not all squares are created equal, when purchasing a square check it for accuracy, and occasionally afterwards, dropping or banging it against something can throw it out. When checking a framing square check both the inside and outside for accuracy. There is a link here about checking and adjusting squares.

Consistant Cuts

For an object to be square the opposite sides must be exactly the same length, this is best accomplished if all the cuts are made with the same set up. This is where a cut list can be used to great advantage, for example set the fence on your table saw and make all the cuts with that dimension, then move on to the next dimension on the list.