Essential Guide to the Steel Square
Facts, Short-Cuts and
Problem-Solving Secrets
by Ken Horner
Softcover
205 x 255mm
181pp
Published by Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., East Petersburg PA USA
R.R.P.$39.90
ISBN 01-56523-342-3
Extract from back cover of book:
Unlock the Secrets of a Timeless Tool of the Trade
For centuries, the steel square has been a mainstay in the toolbox of skilled craftsmen. In the hands of someone who knows how to use it, this simple tool can quickly solve countless construction and geometric problems involving angles, arcs, circles, and squares. Now, with the help the Essential Guide to the Steel Square and Ken Horner, author of the best-selling Woodworkers' Essential Facts, Formulas, E Shortcuts series, anyone can unlock the helpful secrets of this valuable, time-honored tool.
With 17 chapters packed with hundreds of clear illustrations and diagrams, skill-building exercises, and simple rules of thumb, this handy reference will show any curious carpenter, woodworker, or serious do-it-yourselfer how indispensable the steel square can be in building stairs, roofs, rafters, and practically everything else.
Illustrations: Black & White
Contents
Chapter
1. Introduction
Square and True.
The Modern Steel Square
Chapter
2. History of the Steel Square
Making Tools in Colonial America
Making
Steel Tools
Making Metal Squares
Eagle Square Company
Sears, Eagle, and
Stanley
Chapter
3. A Close look at the Steel Square
Right Triangle
- Area of Right Triangle
-
Length of Diagonal
- Circumference
- Angles on the Calculator
Describing
the Square
Chapter
4. Types of Squares
Try Square
Try-Miter Square
Combination Square
Framing
Square
Speed Square
Chapter
5. Testing for Square
Check Against a Standard
Use a Straight Edge
Checking
Two Squares
Use the Mirror Image
Check a 45 degree Speed Square
Chapter
6. Truing a Square
Steel Squares
Machinist's Square
Try Square
Speed Square
Chapter
7. Problem-Solving Techniques
The Right Triangle
- Ratio and Proportion
Fences
for the Steel Square
Using the Adjustable Arm
- Pulley Sizes and Speed
Using
the Proportioning Line
- Comparing Circles and Squares
Using the Diagonal
-
Combining Two Circles
Square Attachments
A Makeshift Level
Construct
a Protractor
Chapter
8. Using the Scales on a Square
Essex Board Feet Measure
- Finding
Board Feet
- Board Feet in Thick Plank
- Board Feet in Long Plank
Brace
Measure
- Brace Length
- Long Brace Length
Hundredths Scale
- Decimal
to Fraction
Diagonal Scale
- Hundredths of an Inch
Octagonal Table or
Eight-Square Scale
Square to Octagon
Chapter
9. Stairs
Stairway Design Considerations
General Stair Rules (Residential)
Stair
Ratio
Stairway Types
Designing a Staircase
The Steel Square in Stair
Design
Staircase Layout
Find the Number of Risers
Find the Unit Rise
Find the Number of Treads
Find the Tread Depth
Find the Total Run
Final
Staircase Dimensions
Marking the Stringer
Stair and Baluster Problems
-
Building a Ladder Stair
- Baluster Spacing
- Spacing Staircase Balusters
- Spacing Balusters with a Story Pole
Chapter
10. Roofs
Roof Types
The Theory of Roof Framing
Rafter Measurement
Definition
of Terms
Chapter
11. Laying Out the Rafters
Rafter Length
The Building Dimensions
1.
Finding Rafter Length with Math
2. Finding Rafter Length Using the Rafter
Tables
3. Finding Rafter Length Using the Step-Off Method
4. Finding Rafter
Length by Proportioning
5. Finding Rafter Length by Direct Layout.
Summary
of Methods to Find Rafter Length
Laying Out Common Rafters
Hip and Valley
Rafters
- Length of Hip Rafter
Jack Rafters
- Jack Rafter Length
Chapter
12. The Speed Square
History
Description
Using the Speed Square
to Cut Common Rafters
Hip and Valley Rafters
Degree Scale
Chapter
13. Circles and Square Problems
Find the Center of a Circle
Lay Out
a Semicircle of Given Diameter
Draw a Circle through Three Points
Draw
a Circle around a Polygon
Make an Octagon from a Square
Make an Eight-Sided
Column from a Square Post
Convert a Square to an Octagon
Testing a Semicircle
Find the Circumference of a Circle from Its Diameter
Find a Square with
Area Equal to a Circle
Find a Circle with Area Equal to a Square
Doubling
the Area of a Square
Halving the Area of a Square
Find a Circle Equal
in Area to Two Other Circles
Find a Circle Equal in Area to Two or More Other
Circles
Find the Length of the Diagonal of a Square
Bisect an Angle
Chapter
14. Laying Out Angles
Reference Lines on the Table Saw
Lay Out Angles
of 30 and 60 degrees
Lay Out a 45 degree Angle
Lay Out Any Angle
Lay
Out Any Angle from 1-45 degree
Lay Out Half Angles
Lay Out Degree Fractions
Lay Out Any Angle from 45 to 90 degree
Find Angles for Segmentation Turning
Cutting
Crown Molding
Sawhorse with Splayed Legs
Chapter
15. Proportioning Problems
Equal Division
Proportioning
Proportioning
Line
Finding Tree Height
Square Yards from Square Feet
Find Length
of a Brace
Cut a Leaning Post
Chapter
16. Arch, Arc, and Ellipse Problems
Find the Radius of an Arc
Lay Out
a Large Arch
Lay Out an Ellipse Construct an Elliptical Arch
Draw an Oval
Bending Boards by Kerfing
Chapter
17. Cylinders and Cones: Sheet-Metal Problems
Raised Conical Cover
Raised
Conical Cover Variation
Round Pipe through Pitched Roof
Lay Out a Square
Exhaust Pipe
Lay Out a Flange for the Square Exhaust Pipe
Lay Out a Rectangular
Exhaust Pipe
Lay Out a Cylindrical Exhaust Pipe
Lay Out a 60 degree Y
Pipe through a Sloped Roof
Index