"Best" layout and markup tools

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dsh1705

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Joined
Dec 30, 2013
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27
Now that I am completely a Festool junky, I am finding that my Mayes square, Empire levels, and Stanley adjustable "T" squares are really just not in the same league... So - beside Stabila levels, what can people suggest for "upping" my layout and markup game? Besides, of course, a sharp #2 pencil (dang, those TS55's are accurate!!!).
 
+1 on Starrett, Woodpecker, Mitutoyo

I have the Woodpecker 1281 square, 24" t-square, 36" rule and rule stop.  They all help with making cuts more accurate and consistent.

the Starrett combo square is my reference for checking equipment.

 
For measuring short distances (less than a foot) I really like Incra Rules.  You are assured your mark is going to be dead on every time.

Hope this helps

Jay
 
I bought a double square from Harry Epstein and the quality is excellent. The manufacturer name is scratched off the ruler.  Othe than that I haven't found the blemish that makes it a "factory second".

Jay
 
I love the woodpeckers stuff!  

As it happens, Bridge City has a limited number of blemished aluminum Try Squares (5"x8") that started shipping recently.  Price is pretty reasonable at $91 + shipping and once they are gone, they are gone.  And they do have some in metric as of this posting.  I like this one a bit better than the 1281 from Woodpeckers because of the thin stainless blade on it.  If you're transferring a measurement, the thinner blade works to your advantage.  But obviously it's 4" shorter.  Quality is typical for BCTW, excellent.  The blemish on mine was nothing more than a small scratch on the blade.  I probably would have done it myself within the first week.

BCTW's other tools are great as well, you just have to have the patience of a saint as they make woodpeckers one time tools seem like instant gratification by comparison!   [tongue]  But you can go on eBay and find used BCTW tools readily available, just don't expect a break on the price.  

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/gift-ideas/ts-2v2-try-square-aluminum-blem.html

Here is a snippet of the build process for the try square
 
Forgot that I had the Fastcap Pro Carpenter standard/metric tape. It too is spot on. Looks like the Festool tape will be put out to pasture. I'd like to see Festool come out with a new tape that is more precise, has a better recoil, made of aluminum or hard rubber, and a more robust circle cutter. Something more representative of what Festool is capable of; like the Domino XL or the OF2200. I would be first in line.
 
Thanks, jaymon5, for the specific tool choices - the choices at Woodpeckers were overwhelming!
 
I'll retract my love for woodpeckers.  I love them a little less after getting a pair of metric square (one time tools).   I lined them up back to back and checked the mm markings.  It seems like they deviate by 3/10 mm over a span of 40mm.  But at 100mm they are back to dead on.  I expect that on an inexpensive product, but not on these.  
 
dsh1705, It is good to hear that you found my information useful.  Using a tape measure or scale to make cut marks, I found that I was getting slight errors from one end of my cut to another.  Using the predefined holes in the woodpeckers t-square (in the middle) to mark my cuts resulted in each end exactly the same.
 
+1 on Products Engineering as a better value than Starrett.  I own a Starrett combo square that's measurably inaccurate (but thankfully not enough to lose sleep over).  My 4" imperial & metric double square from Products Engineering is just as accurate.

--John
 
The OP is right by his implication that one needs to up the mark-up game to take the full advantage of the Festool accuracy.

My eyesight is not so good but I hate wearing really strong glasses (+2s) and stick with my +1.25s and so I have been looking for better mark-up tools. I have recently bought an Incra "T" Rule which I started to use a couple of days ago. Mine is metric but they started life as Imperial devices so no problem for NA. There are loads of 0.5mm holes on the rule through which you put the lead of a mechanical pencil. I needed to do a whole bunch of Domino cuts to a scribed line and used the Incra to mark it up. It is one of my recent "best buys" and I will certainly mention it in a video in the not too distant future.

Here is the link to the UK store where I purchased it from:

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/epages/eshop814530.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop814530/Products/INC_TRUL150M

For the UK and European chaps this store is an offshoot of Peter Sefton's woodworking school and he is stocking just those tools that he recommends to his students. I have never bought any Incra stuff before but will have no hesitation in doing so in the future.

Peter
 
RKA said:
I'll retract my love for woodpeckers.  I love them a little less after getting a pair of metric square (one time tools).   I lined them up back to back and checked the mm markings.  It seems like they deviate by 3/10 mm over a span of 40mm.  But at 100mm they are back to dead on.  I expect that on an inexpensive product, but not on these.  
Click to expand...

Return them!

Jack
 
I bought them because I wanted small squares that can't go out of square.  For that purpose, they work fine.  Now that I know the markings are incorrect, I won't use them, but it certainly brings into question the other woodpeckers tools that are used for measuring/marking.  I'll start going through them to see what's what.  Like I said, just a little less love for them, but I still like their tools.
 
Woodpeckers is a company that, in my experience, has always stood behind their products. If it doesn't satisfy your needs for accuracy, always contact them to send it back. Actually, I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't follow the same with any company's products that don't live up to their standards or yours. I wold say, though, that anything I've ever bought from either Woodpeckers or that has the Incra name on it, has been accurate and square. I just bought the Story Stick Pro from Woodpeckers and would expect that to be an accurate tool for repetitive cuts and marks. I also use the FastCap Flatback tape which is extremely accurate compared to most steel tapes. Any of these companies would stand behind their products 100%. However, if they don't know there is a problem with yours, they can't do anything about it.
 
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