Woodpeckers Precision Triangle

[jimmy986]

I have been considering one of Woodpecker's Precision triangles. I don't know if it's overkill though. I feel like I would use it for more than just my MFT table and the removable foot seems like a great addition. What are other's opinions of it? I'm worried about spending the money and finding out I won't use it as much. I was also wanting the opinion of the 12" versus the 18". The 12" would save money but that obviously isn't everything. I build furniture. Mostly cocktail tables and end tables and bookshelves. I have the occasional odd project but that is mostly what I do now.

I also really like the idea of their other squares like the 641 and 851 and the 12" or 24" t square. Just not sure what the most cost effective tools are for me. I know there are some mdf squares made specifically for the mft and then the smaller squares would be sufficient for squaring up shelves, cases, etc and the t square would be great for layout.

I have only been woodworking for a couple years and I am all self taught so I make do with the tools I have and fudge it the best I can. As I've added quality tools it has definitely streamlined my work and improved the quality but I know that there is certainly overkill if I just buy whatever catches my eye at the moment. If I didn't have some self restraint I would have lost my house and been living in systainers by now.

 

[grbmds]

I'm sure you'll get a variety of opinions but. . . If the removable foot is not at least 1" in height I'd say there are better and much less expensive options if your main use is to square up your MFT. I bought the MFT Square One-Time Tool when it was offered. I have never been sorry, but one of the reasons it's great for MFT squaring is that the legs are both 1 1/8" high. That means that I can set the height of the guide rail and do a final check at the height at which I will do the cut to be sure the squareness is maintained when the rail is raised. That gives me piece of mind (but some might say that makes a little obsessive).

The Anderson Plywood Square seems to be a favorite right now for $25. I don't own one, so I'm only going by feedback on the FOG.

Also, one drawback on the Woodpecker's One-Time Tools is that it will take 5 - 6 months for you to get it. So, the big question - "What do you do until you actually get it?"

If you want a tool that has multiple uses, I have found the Woodpecker's 1281 Square is great for a lot of things that involve marking and checking squareness. I even used that to square up my MFT until I got the MFT Square and it worked well, although the square's sides should ideally be longer for that use.

Woodpecker's has other smaller triangles and squares that are perfect for checking squareness and marking on smaller pieces and in tighter areas. I just bought the 6" Carpenters Square which I think will be very useful for things the 1281 is a little too big for.

Just my opinions. There are a wide variety of options but the main thing is to be sure that, if you are using it to square your MFT fence/guiderail, it must be a "perfect" 90 degrees. For that, I'm convinced a Woodpecker's square or triangle can't be beat.

 

[loubush]

I'm also considering getting one of the OneTime precision triangles. I think the 18" will be too large for my own small workshop needs. Problem for me is the shipping cost to the UK - the 300mm triangle with case will cost me $234 shipped (plus any import charges I get hit with).

I can get the 1281 square in the UK for the equivalent of $160 with free shipping, or an Incra Guaranteed 7" Square for about $100.

I'm planning to get an MFT/3 later this year, so could really do with saving as much money as possible.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[StianRL]

Loubush, maybe call woodworkers workshop UK and ask if you can place an order through them?

Not sure if possible with the one time tools, but worth a try.

 

[bertv]

bannedlink.com appears to be agent for Woodpeckers. Might be worth it to check their shipping cost.

EDIT: Was not aware of rule about mentioning websites. So here goes: GereedschapPro in the Netherlands. Google that.

 

[ScoFF]

Anyone know if you don't buy the mdf case how it's packaged and shipped to protect it?

 

[AndyUK]

I'm also considering getting one of the OneTime precision triangles. I think the 18" will be too large for my own small workshop needs. Problem for me is the shipping cost to the UK - the 300mm triangle with case will cost me $234 shipped (plus any import charges I get hit with).

I can get the 1281 square in the UK for the equivalent of $160 with free shipping, or an Incra Guaranteed 7" Square for about $100.

I'm planning to get an MFT/3 later this year, so could really do with saving as much money as possible.

Decisions, decisions....

Hmm those woodpecker squares with the pretty red anodised finish look quite snazzy don't they?
But at £100+ would it really do anything better than a British made Moore and Wright 12" Engineers Square which can be got for around £60, and a 6" for around £25?
I don't think so.

 

[grbmds]

I'm also considering getting one of the OneTime precision triangles. I think the 18" will be too large for my own small workshop needs. Problem for me is the shipping cost to the UK - the 300mm triangle with case will cost me $234 shipped (plus any import charges I get hit with).

I can get the 1281 square in the UK for the equivalent of $160 with free shipping, or an Incra Guaranteed 7" Square for about $100.

I'm planning to get an MFT/3 later this year, so could really do with saving as much money as possible.

Decisions, decisions....

Hmm those woodpecker squares with the pretty red anodised finish look quite snazzy don't they?
But at £100+ would it really do anything better than a British made Moore and Wright 12" Engineers Square which can be got for around £60, and a 6" for around £25?
I don't think so.

For squaring up the MFT, if that was the original goal, I'd say that anything less that 12" on at least one leg of the square would be less than ideal for that purpose. Really, any square that one has confidence is a perfect 90 (or as close as can be seen with the eye) is the right square, in my opinion. Whatever makes you comfortable that you will get as square a crosscut as satisfies you and gets the desired result in the finished project.

 

[AndyUK]

I'm also considering getting one of the OneTime precision triangles. I think the 18" will be too large for my own small workshop needs. Problem for me is the shipping cost to the UK - the 300mm triangle with case will cost me $234 shipped (plus any import charges I get hit with).

I can get the 1281 square in the UK for the equivalent of $160 with free shipping, or an Incra Guaranteed 7" Square for about $100.

I'm planning to get an MFT/3 later this year, so could really do with saving as much money as possible.

Decisions, decisions....

Hmm those woodpecker squares with the pretty red anodised finish look quite snazzy don't they?
But at £100+ would it really do anything better than a British made Moore and Wright 12" Engineers Square which can be got for around £60, and a 6" for around £25?
I don't think so.

For squaring up the MFT, if that was the original goal, I'd say that anything less that 12" on at least one leg of the square would be less than ideal for that purpose. Really, any square that one has confidence is a perfect 90 (or as close as can be seen with the eye) is the right square, in my opinion. Whatever makes you comfortable that you will get as square a crosscut as satisfies you and gets the desired result in the finished project.

Yeah I completely agree with you grbmds.  [smile]
As long as the square is indeed "square" (which a lot of the cheaper generic one's aren't) I see no point in spending extra money on something that looks pretty over a utilitarian precise equivalent. As long as it's fit for the purpose.
Money saved can be put towards....... more tools!  [big grin]

 

[blaszcsj]

Anyone know if you don't buy the mdf case how it's packaged and shipped to protect it?

I bought the 26" framing square with no case and it came in a cardboard shipping box with some cutouts in a cardboard insert (not usable in a tray if you were thinking of keeping it).

 

[jimmy986]

I definitely agree with going as cheaply as possible while keeping the quality. I guess I don't really see many options in the 18" and above. The 12" Moore and Wright for $93 is good but it's only 12". Plus, I feel like an actual triangle give me more confidence. I'm a new hobbyist so I could be wrong but I would assume a cross bar is going to help keep things from getting knocked out of 90 a little better. But the biggest concern is that it seems like an 18"x18" would be more precise.

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

The new series of Anderson MFT squares are out!
We have trimmed square edges with Festool Trim Router and used the Festool VAC SYS (the new vacuum clamp) to hold the piece.
They look and feel much nicer now!
I will post pictures later on.  [big grin]

Here is the link to the Anderson MFT Square:
http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/
Here is the Trim Router we used:
http://www.andersonplywood.com/mfk-700-modular-trim-router-set-festool-574368-fes574368/
Here is the link to Festool VAC SYS Clamp:
http://www.andersonplywood.com/festool-vac-sys-system-set-57000004-fes57000004/

 

[mleny77]

This just came in UPS today! Can wait to use it! [big grin]