Swanson Tool S0101 7 inch Square Reviews Summary

Build Quality

Pros:

• "It's built solid, so it will be in my toolbox forever."
• "Overall the square is well made from nice thick metal and very nicely finished."
• "The nylon one is precise, the numbers do pop, the 'casting' is precise and well done."
• "The Swanson square is strong and well marked, what more can I say, I wouldn't be without it."
• "This will last long enough to be handed down to my grandchildren."
• "It seems to be very high quality, solid cast metal."
• "With no moving parts and its cast aluminum construction it is virtually indestructible."

Cons:

• "The booklet that came with this tool is not well written; the information presented are unorganized, poorly done and lots of the contents are non-coherent & confusing, repetitive.... just a time waster."
• "The inside corner edge of the square have some fine ridges and prevents the square seating properly along the edge of the work-piece."
• "Given its reputation, I was rather shocked at how dirty and poorly manufactured this speed square was."
• "The measurement ticks on the square are pretty useless."
• "Milling of the aluminum is very rough, like someone hacked it out of block with a machete."
• "The black paint that is used to fill in the letters is really poorly done on the one I received."
• "The markings are rough and wider than I would have liked."

Functionality & Versatility

Pros:

• "Does many things, but even if only as a cutting guide, a must-have for anyone that likes to run a saw."
• "So much easier now and also great that it serves as a guide for my jigsaw."
• "A great piece to carry in your tool box wouldn't be without one now pretty expensive to purchase but brilliant investment very versatile."
• "The guide that comes with it helps people unfamiliar with what all the pitches and degrees mean."
• "Best part of this tool is the included book of formulas and calculations for figuring house framing angles and numbers."
• "You can use a speed square to find roof pitches, guide your circular saw and more including marking any angle from 0 to 90 degrees."
• "The Speed Square is very easy to use the 90 degree angle is very exactly."

Cons:

• "I might need some remedial carpentry or at least another read through to understand that feature - still, once I make sense of those directions, it will only become more useful to me!"
• "The only complaint that I have is that it's a little short for 2x12 boards."
• "Reference lines are about 1/16th of an inch so accurate measurements are not practical."
• "The problem is measurement is not accurate and even the angle is not exactly 90 degrees."
• "How can builders/contractors use such an inaccurate tool?! This company need to re-calibrate their tools and keep tight quality control."
• "Not a 90 degree angle square. Off by 1/16th of an inch."
• "The product is square which is the most important, but the measurements are not very accurate."

Design & Aesthetics

Pros:

• "Very nice!"
• "Thank you for an excellent Made In America product!!!!!!"
• "It's improved because it is easier to read."
• "Nicely weighted tool."
• "Engraved and painted numbers/scales."
• "It's perfect and fits in my back pocket."
• "The DEEP & Blackened Numbers/Graduations will never wear off like all of the other 'printed/'etched'' speed squares on the market."

Cons:

• "I think I should just let you know... This tool is UGLY...."
• "The only downsides are the handbook (too small to read) and the markings are all Imperial."
• "Downside of imperial units only."
• "Looks like they've tried to do some kind of stylised print which has seriously affected the accuracy of the speed square."
• "The lines are thick and almost fuzzy making it very difficult to get accurate reading on angles."
• "The square has several blemishes but doesn’t affect its use."
• "This square is molded aluminum which I don't care for."

Value & Investment

Pros:

• "Is it top of the line, it's not but for the money its good."
• "This is one of those tools that when you've got it, you wish you'd bought one ages ago."
• "And the price makes it one of the smartest choices you are ever going to make."
• "It's very affordable too."
• "Can’t beat the price and accuracy."
• "Great tool at a good price. The precise markings and polished edges sure beats the heck out of the cheap made-by-slave-labor-in-China piece of junk I bought from Harbor Freight!"
• "Plus at this price its a no brainer."

Cons:

• "Just too $$. Not a technically difficult thing to make - mold. Why $$$?"
• "I foolishly saved money and bought one from the tool importer with the initials HF, which was a total piece of junk."
• "I would most definitely never buy one of these again."
• "I am surprised that it has such positive ratings, but in my case, it does not work."
• "I know that this is the original, but it strikes me as a cheaply casted piece of metal that is not precise."
• "For something which has been produced for so many years in the USA you would think they would have done a nicer job of it."
• "I don't like to rate items this low, but it seems appropriate for what I received."