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Stesso

Finding a Plumb Line

6:36
12:04
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At 6:36 in

Speed Square Mastery: Stop Using It Wrong

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What happens here

To determine a plumb line (a true vertical line) using a speed square without a built-in level, you can use a plumb bob. Attach the plumb bob to a string and wrap the string around the speed square, aligning it with the 45-degree mark. Hold the speed square against the angled surface, allowing the plumb bob to hang freely. The string, once settled, will indicate a true vertical line. Then, trace the line along the edge of the speed square to mark the plumb line on your material. Alternatively, some speed squares, like a basic Harbor Freight model shown, have a small level built directly into the tool, making it even easier to find a plumb line by simply adjusting the square until the bubble is centered.

Goal: Establish a true vertical line on any surface

Tools and materials

  • Milwaukee Speed Square Milwaukee — Used as a reference for the plumb line
  • Plumb Bob — Determining a true vertical line
  • Red Marker — Marking the plumb line
  • Small Level — Attached to the speed square to show a level reference
  • String — Attaching the plumb bob to the speed square
  • Wood Board — The surface on which to find the plumb line

What they say

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your bird's mouth. So now you see how to find a plumb line up with a speed square. So you're going to go ahead and you're going to put this on whatever angle you have, throw a level up on top of it and just bring this until it's level. And now this line right here will be your plumb line. Some squares like this cheap Harbor Freight one have a level built right in, makes it super easy to get a plumb line. All right, so let's say we don't have a level now and we want to draw a straight line on here. So we can go ahead, we can take a plumb bob, wrap our plumb bob around the side of it. So put our plumb bob right at the peak and go until you line the string up with the 45 on the thing. Now this right here, this bottom is going to be a straight line without having a level. Now another use of a speed square which we touched on in the beginning, but this is more tool related. Now this this would be for your your miter saws or your circular saws or even your table saws. If you want to make sure that your blade's straight before you make your cut, go ahead and pull back your guard, put that up tight there

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