How to Use A Speed Square and Bevel Gauge to Find Angles in Woodworking

I show you how to use a speed square and a bevel gauge to capture, transfer, and measure angles.
Don't waste your hard-earned money on unnecessary tools. My Free checklist will show you exactly what tools and accessories you need for the beginner to advanced woodworking shop. Download it Free:
⏩ learn.outoftheww.com/woodwork...
Browse my Free project plans:
⏩ www.outoftheww.com/project-plans
Step-by-step details of this video:
⏩ www.outoftheww.com/projects/h...
Discounts on great products (Affiliate Links - I make a small commission at no extra cost to you):
Save 10% on TotalBoat epoxy with code 'otw10'
⏩ www.totalboat.com/product/thi...
Save 15% on Starbond CA glues with code 'OUTOFTHEWOODWORK15'
⏩ www.starbond.com/?rfsn=455729...
Save 10% site-wide on great INTOTHEAM shirts and other clothing:
⏩ intotheam.com/otw10
Special materials used for this project (Affiliate Links):
Speed square - amzn.to/31xHhAb
Bevel Gauge: amzn.to/2KNM22M
Digital Angle Finder: amzn.to/33S1lz7
Tools and other accessories I use:
⏩ www.outoftheww.com/tools-i-use
Follow Out of the Woodwork on these channels:
Instagram: / outofthewoodwork_tommy
Facebook: / oothewoodwork
Music:
Soundstripe.com
About this video:
Today, we generally let the miter saw measure and make our angle cuts. But, learning to capture, transfer, and measure angles is a foundational woodworking and DIY skill that will serve you well.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Here's a great jig that turns your circular saw into a do-almost-everything tool and there's a free plan available: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2Tdg31unpt6e6M Got more speed square, bevel gauge, or angle finding tips and tricks? Put them down here!

[@jonathontsamantanis]

You really helped me understand how they determine angles for that bevel tool will come in very handy thank you

[@MrNncon]

can you recommend any book's I do renovations finishing and general construciton.. however im always forgetting techniques like this.. short of writing my own book with diagrams etc.. on techniques for install work and tool techniques can you recommend any? books are fine on site. people look at you funny if you watch videos.

[@Jorjibou]

Here is one, no one has said so far: suppose you need to transfer a line all around a piece of wood, for instance a 2 X 3. Trace your first line, flange down. Then, holding tight your speed square, scribe along the edge of the flange. There you are on the next side of your stud. Extend the line. And soooo on...

[@MarcDeBrauwer]

And for the rest off the world except Myanmar (also known as Burma), Liberia and the US. one inch is 2.54 cm

[@jacobjones7814]

You are the only one I've seen on KZbin that has actually done the math.. bravo! I'm union carpenter 25 yrs in. My dad, uncles, grandad all Carpenters. Unfortunately we all were not smart enough to do anything else but we were and are intelligent enough to do the math... In which no one nowadays seems to know how to do. The bevel is used to determine your angle first, not to just only transfer a line to a board. Do the math as well, you will find it's simple. If anyone happens to read this then pay attention, this man is telling you right 👍 Thank you

[@hp3078]

Love the family tradition & union carpenter 🙏🏽

[@Parabellum-X]

Bro, where have you been all my life?!... For almost 2yrs, I have been trying to teach myself how to use a speed square to make angled cuts on lumber, in order to learn how to cut rafters. I couldn't figure this crap out for NOTHING! ...until I came across this video of yours! It wasn't until you mentioned that the cut is actually in reference to your 90° that I finally had that light-bulb-turned-on moment happen inside of my head. THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!!

[@KatFinckWoodworking]

Excellent video and so clearly explained. Those moments when you learn something new about a tool you thought you already understood ❤

[@xixoxixa]

I've used speed squares for years, and you are the first person I've ever seen explain the angles in relation to a 90 degree line, not the edge of the board the speed square fence goes against. Superb work. Very intuitive and easy to follow.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks, Brendan! Very kind of you!

[@diversedad7954]

This video is gold! It's amazing how long you can use a tool before you actually learn more about it.

[@RareRiddemz]

Although this video didn't apply to my exact project, it definitely helped me find the angles I needed. What a gem! Thanks!

[@thomasgregory4871]

2:50 - You can also calculate the angle without moving/rotating the speed square. With the speed square flush against the wood, subtract the angle shown from 90. In this case it is 55, so 90 - 55 = 35. It's pretty much what you went through ~5:10. Less worry about errors resulting from moving the speed square.

[@pianoman6639]

Absolutely brilliant video and not over complicated a steady speed allowing the viewer to keep up and comprehend what’s going on . Perfect for me a novice but this has really helped many thanks

[@MorrMedia1]

Wish I had such a clear explanation like this when I was trying to figure out how to use a bevel gauge. Great explanation and tips.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you!

[@johnchappell9232]

I thought I was the only one who "sets the pencil" first then draws the bevel onto it. Perfect.

[@ilive4livemusic]

Clearest explanation I’ve found

[@lenk132]

Excellent Presentation - Easily understood.

[@Harossi79]

Finally someone who explained the angle measurements using a speed square clearly-that is in reference to the vertical axis. Thank you!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks for noticing! I'm sure I'm far from the first or only one to mention it, but I never hear anyone talk about it.

[@rockm0001]

Thanks for clarifying all that!!

[@nevillewilkinson2444]

Well explained from the Republic of Ireland

[@HarveyJohnWillmott]

Best video I’ve found regarding this. You taught me so much. Thanks.

[@danitafunk9236]

Hi, thank you for being a really good teacher, and for the free plans. I'm sincerely grateful!!

[@Joe2.0]

I’m getting flashbacks of all the moments I could have used a bevel gauge to make my life easier. Great video!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

😂 Thanks!

[@MarcusT86]

I absolutely love you from the bottom of my heart for this video. For real!

[@tonygilbert2373]

Thank you for the great tutorial!

[@daxicab1217]

Thank you for the visual. Helps so much!

[@hdcrook1]

Thank you. This was really well done. Very good explanations, especially when you made clear what the angles are in reference to.

[@jimmiepetsel8813]

This has been one of the most useful videos I've had a chance to see in a while. Something so basic and simple yet was alluding me and this made the light bulb pop thank you and I look forward to checking out more of your videos.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it helped!

[@woodbutcher]

I love absolutely everything about your content, dude!

[@olajikiemi5910]

Absolutely top class . Thanks

[@johnvgig]

Thank you. ESPECIALLY for mentioning which line the angle found by the speed square is referenced to!!!

[@MrBollocksChops]

Very useful video, thanks so much for putting it out!!

[@mazewho7950]

Your a great teacher thank you for going out of your way to pass on your knowledge this has been really helpful. Much appreciated you've gained a new fan my friend. Going to create some angles on a few blocks as guides for when I'm sharpening my chisels and plane blade.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

I'm glad it helped you out and its great to have you!

[@houstonsam6163]

Many thanks for the clear explanation of measuring the angles against the 90. Also for the similar clear principle that a miter is described as the angle cut out, not the angle retained.

[@sasanabdipour]

I am building a Deck in my backyard and the finding angle and transferring it to cut was a challenge . your video is right to the point and solved my problem easily ! thanks a lot !

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Sasan Abdipour You're welcome!

[@derekharp2805]

That's was very educational! Thank you

[@jackjenkins6305]

Great Video and audio!!!! I needed to find an angle on one of my project, and after watching you video, now I know how. Thank you! I look forward to more of you videos.

[@patricktkeegan]

Thanks for the video. I found a bevel gauge in some hand me down tools and wasn't sure how to use it. Now I know!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

It's a great tool when you need it!

[@silkysifaka1908]

F--king fantastic sir! Not often I find a great KZbin tutorial on the very first search. (shhh...don't tell the powers that be or else others may not find this video easily...😬) J/k--- I'm sure they already know.

[@bradmattix4914]

Very informative! Thank you.

[@drumcrazy72]

Great work. Thank you.

[@art58wong]

Just adding to the chorus of appreciation. Well done sir.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks so much!

[@tcjensenjr]

Great learning tutorial!

[@johnarwingacis6287]

very helpful video this is what i looking for..im building a wall right now and its steep..thanks a lot

[@liaison66]

excellent overview. I am doing a project right now and this will help out a lot!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Great to hear!

[@robertgregory6012]

Excellent demonstration of essential tools!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lavillegas9180]

Now i know how to use bevel gauge. 😊😄😉

[@DjCreekboy]

Thanks for the video, learned lots!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Jesse, glad it helped you out!

[@jimleishman785]

I appreciate the clear and informative information. Just subscribed

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

That means a lot, Jim, thanks!

[@kerrybolton8881]

Thank you, now I know how to use them properly. Neither came with any info so these simple tips are so worthwhile. Sure helps someone who never had any training or help in explaining their uses. Great.

[@williammontgomery4787]

Great video!

[@marshallkapell9310]

very thorough and helpful. thank you.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You are welcome...thanks so much!

[@johnnyappleseed2277]

I just wanted to say I never realized it until now how much I like working with wood and it is very therapeutic and there is a lot more to learn than I thought there was I'm just a beginner and I really love this stuff. I have a question for you even though you may not answer this question. But, how do you get over the jitters of failure if you really want to be a carpenter and move up and only get better at it what is the best place for a beginner to learn so if he makes mistakes he won't be penalized for it as much when he is in training?

[@diyhacksandmore2644]

Probably the MOST informative video I've ever watched!! You got yourself a new sub

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you and glad to have you around!

[@diyhacksandmore2644]

@@OutoftheWoodwork I just got into woodworking and this was the first time I learned so much about such simple tools! Thank you

[@chriswatson143]

Nice easy to understand stuff man

[@dplatts14]

Agree with other comments, super clear and to the point - great stuff :)

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

dplatts14 thanks!

[@kalania14]

Good stuff...Mahalo for posting

[@spot---8966]

Great explain!!

[@1AXMRDR]

Thanks for sharing this. I inherited a bevel gauge and didn't know what it was lol.

[@davidwolf1814]

Clear and straight forward...Thanks

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks!

[@gregghernandez2714]

Great video! Here is a pretty cool tip for using a speed square to find the center of the board, especially for wider boards. Start by drawing a straight square line on each side of the both ends of the board. You will use these lines as reference lines. Then take the square, and using the square draw a 45 degree line from the straight line, flip the square over and draw another 45 degree line from the opposite end of the straight line. What you end up with is basically an X with a line on top if that makes sense. Do this on each side of the board. You can now use a straight edge or a chalk line to draw a line exactly from each center of the X. Congrats, you now know exactly where the center is of your board. I hope this makes sense.

[@DillonMW]

Subbed from just this video! I look forward to watching more.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad to have you, Dylan!

[@marcellino1956]

thanks my friend i'm 65 years old and just learned something

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're very welcome!

[@wemcal]

Great video and information

[@thomasfoyle2669]

Great video. Thank you.

[@buyznthehood1914]

great info! this will really help me cut the fiber cement siding on my current rehab project's gables. i did it by trial and error. going to buy a bevel gauge tomorrow!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it helped!

[@peterbarlow8912]

Instead of the speed square I take found angles with bevel gauge to my chop saw to read the angle (also degrees from square)between the blade and the fence. If you need a known angle set the bevel on the chop saw and take it to the work. The slot in the bevel blade can let you find an angle in close quarters. Enjoyed some episodes of your TV show some time back.

[@ebmarson]

Thank you very much. Excellent teaching video

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks so much, Eddy

[@CedricKarlFonk]

Thank you so much for making this video. Through you, I'm learning a lot about woodwork, the tools and instruments used.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're welcome!

[@zanechapman6994]

Used the bevel gauge to help me find that angle to cut my spindles, thanks!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonio909]

A wealth of information here, thank you for taking the time to explain all this.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

No problem...thanks for the kind comment!

[@MOSTAFA131160]

helpful video, thank you

[@Jrdzpr]

Thank you!! Excellent teacher.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you!

[@warrennorman4925]

Thanks for teaching me. I'll defeat trigonometry yet!

[@FullPictureMedia]

Very concise. 👍

[@usernamemykel]

Excellent.

[@durumbadiwe1171]

Nice lecture

[@thomashamilton3rd]

Whelp, I wish I had seen this before I spent 2 hours miss-cutting my trim last night... This was a wonderful explanation.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

TJBH sorry you had trouble! Hopefully next time will be better!

[@foos.998]

Wow, so much great information in one video. Thanks so much for this!

[@rockon5320]

Very well explained. Simple to understand and useful. Thanks for taking the time for beginners.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're welcome!

[@canadianbeech]

Thank you!

[@juniorlewis9173]

You are such a talented, kind, and very cool guy. You share your plans for free in the description. I wish Glen from DIY Creators would have done that. He offers his woodwork plans for sale on his website. Thanks for being such a wonderful person.

[@roy1m664]

Just subbed!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@findingalpha1]

This was really great! Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@mabbrey]

great stuff

[@benjamincullifer165]

This is cool but I was looking at more from a metal fabricators point. I have to fab stuff w all kinds of angles so much some times but this really helped. Thanks.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks Benjamin! Always cool to hear it helped in a different application

[@ronswoodshack3855]

Thank you

[@zavoina]

Interesting. Thank you.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you, Andy

[@mustafashaun2949]

Thanks alot, great master.

[@johnbalogna803]

thanks for sharing your wisdom and making it sound easy lol

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Ha! You're welcome

[@ron1martens]

Great tips. I'm a plasterer and have to take on jobs just to work. I'm building a pergola for a client. With him. Also brick paving removing paving and modifying. Splitting the angle is useful which I had to do. I have the festool winkel. It's an angle finder visual. Im considering getting the small digital angle finder. Looks useful. Also looked into getting the Bosch electronic angle level.

[@Cybergrip1]

Quite handy ~

[@jeffwhitney3369]

Damn that was informative as hell dude!

[@MrRenoman2011]

Great Video thanks alllot

[@SALLEN-kn8pw]

Thank you tommy for this video I have watched alot of videos and more confused when I watched them but you are a good teacher thanks for your help

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you...I'm glad it was helpful!

[@nalawattagepinto3939]

Very bad teacher he doesn’t know how tip technology wood work are you bla bla 👎🏿

[@deanbrooks929]

This cleared things right up for me! Awesome information!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

I'm so glad it helped Dean. Thanks!

[@peachfilms]

Incredibly helpful. Thanks for making this video.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're welcome!

[@TateBugs]

This was super helpful!!! Thank you!

[@kule510]

Good video!

[@paulmaryon9088]

Hi great video, thank you, interesting theory on the slot on the bevel, I thought it was to enable getting the opposite angle, and to allow the blade to tuck back into the body of the tool, also another mistake people often make when using the mitre saw is that 0 is actually 90. Thanks again keep 'em coming

[@onwardsandupwards3492]

great teacher

[@NWBushman]

This was a really good explanation!!Thank you! Super helpful!!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks so much!

[@AB_in_CO]

This is super informative! Thanks for making this video

[@catfish24]

Great informative video

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks, David!