Customer Reviews

Johnson Level & Tool ADS48 Adjust-A-Square 48-Inch Aluminum Drywall Square

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wouldn't pass this one up! I've had my Johnson Adjustable Drywall T-Square for 10 years. I use it for drywall, plywood, and paneling. It saves time marking sheets and works great marking angles also. It folds up straight and fits nicely in my truck tool box or behind the seat. As a remodeling contractor for 16 years, I would highly recomend this item!!

I had bought a standard drywall T Square at the local home center. Since the base is riveted onto the arm, I checked the square for trueness. I went through several to find one that was perfectly at a 90 degree angle. What I did not check was the accuracy of the measure. I have switched my wood working over to the "Incramental" system, (Incra TSIII-32 table saw fence- accurate to within .002", and the Incra measuring rules) that gives me a standard to judge my other rules by. The Home Center measure was off by an eighth of an inch. For drywall, that is close enough, but for finish ply it doesn't work.
So what does all of this have to do with the Johnson T-Square. Everything: Not only does the Johnson create a perfect 90 degree angle, even though you snap it into the indented groove. It also is dead on accurate for measuring. So feel free to use this for critical applications. The convenience of being able to fold it up into a single in line metal bar, makes it easy to store. Additionally, with the markings for 45 degrees etc, make it a snap for making custom cuts. You can also go over to a wall, set the T square to the angle of the wall, and easily then use it to mark your drywall.
This square is also much thicker metal (aluminum) than a typical square. All in all a 5 star piece of equipment. Highly recommended.

This product is very nice. The aluminum is thick and the 90 degree setting lock positively and accurate.

HOWEVER

I would NOT order this from amazon again. The geniuses at Amazon shipped this LONG THIN FLAT piece of metal in it's store display box. Yup, they just slapped a mailing label on the single wall box.

That offered it NO protection and it arrived bent. If you give a shipping company a 4 foot piece of sheet metal with no decent packaging you can hardly blame them if it arrives bent.

I was able to flatten my back out, but I have the advantage of working at company with a shop and tools. It wasn't easy to get it very flat again.

Buy this tool, but not from Amazon.

This is a great tool for ease of travel, but watch out for the stretching of the aluminum. I have owned mine for over 3 years and I always take care and put it away folded up, but recently my cuts were traveling out of square by 1/4. I checked the play and it did move just enough to make it out of square. I believe the aluminum has stretched just enough with normal use. Great tool for drywall because you can adjust the depth and score drywall off in rips and accuracy is not as important. Just be carefull when marking off plywood.

Wish I had purchased this years ago. This is a very versatile, practical, accurate and well built product. Because it pivots to the parellel position it can be used as a straight edge. However, more important than that, it can be transported safely, easily and in less space because it folds down. You don't have to worry about breaking an arm because it is folded down. When I carry it to a site, I bring it along in the truck in a old PVC or ABS tube w/ covers at each end. It stays flat and safe and does not take up much room. When used as a T square it is sturdy and accurate. This is no flimsy piece of aluminum. It is thick and the the area where the T crosses is made by a tight fitting dado channel in each piece. Highly recommended.

Acts as a sliding bevel as well as oversized square for layout. I use this primarily for laying out plywood cuts. For drywall I use the 13 dollar fixed square that I don't mind digging into with a razor knife. Has a machined recess to ensure 90 degrees, and has anodized markings for other common angles. A good buy.