Customer Reviews

Essential Guide to the Steel Square: Facts, Short-Cuts, and Problem-Solving Secrets for Carpenters, Woodworkers & Builders (Woodworker's Essentials & More)

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Over the years, when I have looked at a "framing square", I have been put in mind of going to the beach and seeing a guy wearing a tiny, lime green Speedo. The connection may not seem apparent at first, but as to the inadequately clothed male, I shake my head and think, "There are 11 men in America who might qualify to look right in that miniscule patch of lycra or spandex . . . . unfortunately, he is not one of them."

When I have looked at a framing square with all the numbers, hash marks, dots, and seemingly inscrutable sets of fractions, I shake my head and think, "There are only 11 craftsmen in America who qualify to actually make total sense and proper use of that instrument . . . unfortunately, I'll never be one of them."

I'm sure I will never be qualified to wear a Speedo. I am even more certain I will never be qualified to fully understand or use a framing square. Further, I anticpate the company of folk ever to have been so qualified in terms of the framing square has never been large in number. Sadly, that number is growing ever smaller as digital tools, hand-held computers, and software capable of near-instant-calculations continue to crop up in the construction trades and woodworkers' shops.

Before the framing square slips into antique and woodworking memorabilia emporia, take the time to read and enjoy Ken Horner's Essential Guide to the Steel Square. An intention to use a square (whether it be a try square, combination square, speed square, or otherwise) for anything other than marking lines or simply checking your woodcuts for "square", is not a necessary prerequisite for reading and enjoying this book.

This book is part history lesson, part instruction manual, part puzzle solver, and all terrific. It's value is to be measured by much more than the sum of its parts. Whether you want to know how to estimate board feet, lay out stairs, compute complex compound angles for roofing rafters, draw a circle, find the radius of an arc, compute the dimensions of an elliptical hole through a pitched roof necessary to accept a round pipe, or even measure the height of that big red oak in the backyard, you will learn how to do it all in simple step-by-step instructions.

Not interested or in need of such eye-opening information for actual application? Then just read, or at least thoroughly browse, the book for pure joy, entertainment, and appreciation. If you need the information, you will be hard pressed to find a better, clearer, more easily applicable resource. If you don't need the information (that's me) read the book and you will find yourself sharing the secrets of the square with friends just for kicks.

Nope, don't know Ken Horner; don't get anything else out of this review than the excitement of passing along good news.

More than you'd ever think you'd need to know about the basics to advanced uses and functions of the seemingly simple framing square. Want to have some fun? Read the book then go into your local DIY center and ask the duty expert in the tool section if there is an instruction manual that comes with the framing square? You will likely get a blank stare and comments about how simple the thing is to use. Then ask him/her if they can explain how to determine the major and minor axis of an elipse using the framing square, or simply how to determine brace length, or calculate board feet using the square? This book shows in simple, easy to follow and understand detail all that and much more. I even asked a professional framer if he knew what all the various scales were for, he didn't. He then bought the book for himself.

This is a good book. In my opinion I think it is more like a text book when compare with the other two books written by the same author. It gives me a lot of mathematical knowledge which I almost forgot what I learnt in high school. I think this book is more useful for student doing courses in building.

This is a good overview for the casual reader, or as a good introduction before you really dig into roof framing, stair building, etc. But, if you really want to master the square in framing or other construction, you're going to have to get more detailed information from other sources. If "Essential" in the title was replaced with "Basic" or "Introductory", the title would more accurately reflect the value of the book.

The information in this book cannot be easily found in other sources. Its very comprehensive.

This book is answering a lot of mysterys of the steel square.
Most of the numbers on the square ment nothing to me before I read this book. It does things that I had't even thought of.

Bought this book as my Uncle lives in Thailand, and they cannot get these types of books over there. Book is VERY nice, glossy pages, and excellent info contained in the book. Would HIGHLY recommend.

I always wondered how to use all the different tables and numbers on the square now i know.great book well worth the money,ken horner is a genius in writting this book,highly reccomend this to framers and anyone who does any kind of construction work

The steel square is the best layout tool ever invented and it will amaze you to learn the thinks that you can do with it. The only way it could be improved on is if they could put a GPS unit in it.