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

[@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 🙏🏽

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@markmckenzie9005]

I am not a wood worker and am trying to build a set of cattle yards that has a half a Dodecagon circular shaped forcing area, at one end, while the length of the yards slopes downhill at varying gradients. This makes complex? angles at all my joins on the dodecagon. I was losing sleep over this issue until I found your video. By following the video and using the bevel guage with a speed square, i was able to set my drop saw mitre and bevel angles at the same time and although not perfect every time it got me that close I could make small adjustments and my nightmare is over. Thank you so much from little old New Zealand!!

[@twwtb]

Really good video. The way you explained the angles and the use of the speed square and bevel gauge is consistent with how you set the angles on a miter saw.

[@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.

[@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!

[@lenk132]

Excellent Presentation - Easily understood.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@rockm0001]

Thanks for clarifying all that!!

[@danmike2305]

Good instructoral video. Tabletclass math is a good reference for more math understanding.

[@MarcusT86]

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

[@hemples]

Just found you video. Your amazing and can explain things in layman's terms. Thanks ever so much!!!

[@Daniyellie]

Thank you for the visual. Helps so much!

[@mikethomforde7326]

Great video, I’m putting new fasha boards on the end of a house, how do I find the angle so I can have a tight fit at the peak?

[@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!

[@art58wong]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks so much!

[@futuresdojo]

This was the best video for understanding the angles of a speed square and the angles' relationship to other angles. Thank you sir for making this video. I was about to contact my old woodshop teacher (from 18 years ago). You saved me so much time! I do have one question; how do we calculate the degrees needed in a cut to say, create legs for a picnic table? That is, what degree cut will I need to make to create angled legs that will be appropriate for a 2'x5' picnic table top? With the specific goal of making the table top 36 inches from the ground? I'm trying to figure this out and am having a hard time. I appreciate any guidance you can give! Cheers!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks! It all comes down to turning it into a triangle and calculating it that way. The right angle goes straight down from the bottom of the top to the ground and it's length will be 36". Then you can figure out the rest from there if you know a little geometry. You want to know the angle at the top and the length of the leg will be the side opposite of the right angle.

[@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

[@woodbutcher]

I love absolutely everything about your content, dude!

[@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

[@zanechapman6994]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@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 👎🏿

[@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.

[@johnarwingacis6287]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@chriswatson143]

Nice easy to understand stuff man

[@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

[@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.

[@Snail_Shell]

What is the 45degree angle on the end of the metal blade of the T bevel for? Thanks for the informative vid!

[@MrBollocksChops]

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

[@brucewelty7684]

How did you mush the round end of the gauge into a relatively sharp corner?

[@Gary-ts6dh]

Thanks for the bevel guage tut! I have a Swanson SpeedSquare I use a lot ; but, just recently inherited a bevel gauge. Now I don't have to 'figure out' how to use it.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're so welcome, Gary, glad it helped!

[@DillonMW]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad to have you, Dylan!

[@zncvmxbv4027]

So a 35 degree angle gives you a 35 degree cut relative to the 90 degree on the short point. It also gives you a 55 degree on the long point in reference to the same perpendicular line. It also gives you a 125 degree cut relative to the angel the piece is sitting in. This can be confusing but thinking about the speed square as accounting for 90 degrees already then it makes the concept a little easier to grasp. The speed square isn’t giving you the angle of the wall. It’s giving you the angle you need to cut away from a 90 degree piece to match the wall angle. That cut can also be turned upside down and fit into an acute 55 degree angle wall. The problem would be where the long point and short point of that cut are. We like to say 21 inches at 35 degrees butt to long or butt to short or long to long or short to short. That way the angle is cut with the proper length on the proper face of the wood and no confusion is had.

[@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.

[@DjCreekboy]

Thanks for the video, learned lots!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Jesse, glad it helped you out!

[@noelv1976]

I definitey need to get that bevel gauge. Trying to use a speed square to get accurate angles really messing me up..should have never skipped geometry class!

[@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!

[@tcjensenjr]

Great learning tutorial!

[@robertgregory6012]

Excellent demonstration of essential tools!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bradmattix4914]

Very informative! Thank you.

[@drumcrazy72]

Great work. Thank you.

[@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

[@isaiahlynch4113]

With a combination square do I take the complimentary angle?

[@liaison66]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Great to hear!

[@MrEmanon1233]

GREAT. EXPLANATION. 😊😊

[@wemcal]

Great video and information

[@dplatts14]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

dplatts14 thanks!

[@jamesmccornell87]

Dope video I thought it would be for ever before learned how to use these 2 tools 😃👏

[@davidwolf1814]

Clear and straight forward...Thanks

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks!

[@jeffwhitney3369]

Damn that was informative as hell dude!

[@spot---8966]

Great explain!!

[@jeffburton3106]

Thx for the video, helped out a lot!!

[@padrecouk]

How do I measure an angle on a handrail using speed square? Please. Thanks

[@jimleishman785]

I appreciate the clear and informative information. Just subscribed

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

That means a lot, Jim, thanks!

[@roy1m664]

Just subbed!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@tonygilbert2373]

Thank you for the great tutorial!

[@ebmarson]

Thank you very much. Excellent teaching video

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks so much, Eddy

[@williammontgomery4787]

Great video!

[@tonio909]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

No problem...thanks for the kind comment!

[@olajikiemi5910]

Absolutely top class . Thanks

[@rockon5320]

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

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're welcome!

[@marshallkapell9310]

very thorough and helpful. thank you.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You are welcome...thanks so much!

[@babyd755]

A) I feel like your instructional skills must have played a role in your love life. Excellent conveying of information! B) Your voice, to me, is that of a sports commentator. C) Thank you for such a great and straight to the point lesson! I needed to know one thing, and stuck around for the other tips and nuggets. Win-Win! Definitely subscribing!

[@kalania14]

Good stuff...Mahalo for posting

[@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!

[@FullPictureMedia]

Very concise. 👍

[@nolez1999]

I’m building a lean to on my moms shed. How do I figure the angle of the roof?

[@jonathandeboque8781]

Thank you thank you for the video sir,i'd learned a lot.. thats kind of video that like of the viewers, may i request for your coming videos is an actual cutting wood use an same tools.. and it what it can do thank you.sir Godbless

[@jesseperez6139]

Thank you, you’re right, a lot of videos don’t mention what you did about the speed square. Pro oh cuz it’s common sense or to some obvious but to me it wasn’t until you explained it. I though “oh right duuuh. Makes sense” lol

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thanks Jesse, glad it helped!

[@TheKellisunshyne]

Thank you for all the knowledge you shared here...you earned a sub!!!

[@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!

[@stevenwaters134]

I’m always irritated when the reference for the angle isn’t mentioned. Especially since it takes so little effort to do. You nailed it by describing convention and really helped my understanding. Thank you.

[@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?

[@findingalpha1]

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

[@usernamemykel]

Excellent.

[@karlsmith8872]

So what is line across the upper tip for?

[@durumbadiwe1171]

Nice lecture

[@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!

[@kenmoon5685]

Thanks much-very helpful! I have a question; could you show how you would cut trim and or paneling to fill in the space along stairs? That would be very helpful! Thanks

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

You're welcome! That could be a future project....

[@johnbalogna803]

thanks for sharing your wisdom and making it sound easy lol

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Ha! You're welcome

[@warrennorman4925]

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

[@mabbrey]

great stuff

[@Jrdzpr]

Thank you!! Excellent teacher.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you!

[@judyl.761]

Great video

[@deanbrooks929]

This cleared things right up for me! Awesome information!

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

I'm so glad it helped Dean. Thanks!

[@matttyce8031]

What is the layout computer program used at the beginning of this video?

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Matt Tyce sketchup

[@zavoina]

Interesting. Thank you.

[@OutoftheWoodwork]

Thank you, Andy

[@pemtax557]

Very nice explanation and demonstration of these two tools. It seems that no matter how long I do woodworking, I always seem to learn something new. In this case it was why the speed square is 7 inches long. It's common sense, but something that had never really crossed my mind. Cheers!!

[@thomasfoyle2669]

Great video. Thank you.

[@Cybergrip1]

Quite handy ~