Silly question, but...(T-square)

[st.ryder64]

I've owned a Lowes drywall square forever. The other day, while coming up slightly off square on an important project AGAIN, I decided to check the silly thing and lo and behold, it's not square. You had one job...

It's 1/8" off over 4-ft. I drilled out the four rivets and replaced them with bolts/nuts, after ensuring that the thing WAS square this time. But it's a kludge and I'd like to purchase one that's good to go. Googling my way through the interwebs, it seems like they're all basically made in the same Chinese factory and rebranded. Any recommendations? I recently bought a tracksaw to get away from having to handle large sheets on my table saw, which has proven somewhat hazardous in my space-limited shop, but it's not doing me much good if I can't get an accurate right angle for the cuts.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

I have one that's the same.

 

[KnurledNut]

Your frustration is valid.
However, only an 1/8 off in 4' for a drywall square is pretty good. P
Its not a precision instrument, and has flex in the long side.
Maybe consider another tool.
I made a t-square out of 3/4 ply and, while heavy, it stays accurate.

 

[kd3pc]

tape measure, mark points and drawn lines...for those more "square" things....

I have found them to be OK for framing and even drywall, but quite lacking elsewhere.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have an Empire? or maybe a Johnson? Either way, i have the one that has a knob and is adjustable. I find that much more useful than the fixed riveted one.

I've never had an issue with mine, but I don't use it for fussy work.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

One drop at the wrong angle can make a square one not square. Good to check from time to time. Draw a line with it, flip the piece and draw another line and see if they line up. Old framing squares will get out of square and a properly placed hit with a punch and hammer will bring it back to square.

 

[Fcvapor05]

If you want to get super serious about your t-square...

https://www.woodpeck.com/tsquare32.html

But you'd be better served just measuring. I've never seen a t-square that I trust.

 

[scubadoober]

Measure the same distance from a square end of your ply on either side. Line up your track with the two marks. No need to draw a line.

 

[Voi]

I recently bought a tracksaw to get away from having to handle large sheets on my table saw, which has proven somewhat hazardous in my space-limited shop, but it's not doing me much good if I can't get an accurate right angle for the cuts.

I don't own a track saw but there are various jigs designed specifically for this task. Not sure all what's available anymore but these products were mentioned in a previous thread.

https://tsoproducts.com/tso-products-guide-rail-squares/grs-16-guide-rail-square/

GJ member Git describes the difference between the two products in the post linked below. Other comments elsewhere in thread.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6783825&postcount=17

I believe the TSO is one of the more expensive ones and I understand it's considerably more expensive than a drywall square. Worth looking to see what else is out there.

 

[CoogarXR]

Let me preface my comment by saying I am not a carpenter, but I do pretend like I have skills from time to time.

I had a T-square that was totally inaccurate too. I replaced it with one of those 1-piece L-shaped things. I don't know what you call it, lol. But it's heavy, square, and being 1-piece, it's less likely to get out of whack any time soon.