When rehabbing houses, a square is always useful. Can you imagine forming a perfect 90-degree angle without it? The most basic squares come in an L-shaped form and are mostly used by carpenters. There are complicated types that look like guns from a science-fiction film. No matter what size of appearance the tool has, be sure to maximize it in your house rehab with these tips when using the square tool.

If you’re doing the house rehab repairs on your own, then you will need to buy a set of squares. Go to home centers and look for the 12-inch speed square. This unbreakable tool is truly versatile and will allow you to easily measure angles. It also acts as a ruler.  L-shaped framing squares are also considered basic carpentry and rehabbing tools. Meanwhile, you are unlikely to need a sliding T-bevel and other specialty squares. Now, on to the tips when using the square tool.

Perhaps not everyone knows that speed squares can actually be used to guide a circular saw when crosscutting. First, turn off the power saw. Then, slide the square up to the base of the saw and clamp the square in place. This will give you two hands to work on the crosscutting. You can also hold the square in place with one hand if you feel more comfortable that way.

When rehabbing houses, the square tool is also used to mark a board along its length. If you need to make straight lines along the board, simply align the blade of the combination square or speed square on the surface. Slide a pencil along the edge of the board, using the square’s blade as a guide. House rehab jobs such as these will be much easier with help from square tools.

While squares are mostly used for angles during house rehab repairs, they can also be used to fine the center of a circle. Point the corner of a framing square anywhere on the edge of the circle. Then, mark the point where the blade goes out of the circle. Mark the point where the tongue goes out of the circle too. Trace a straight line by connecting the two points. Repeat the procedure and form another straight line that’s perpendicular to the first line. The point where they meet is the center of the circle.

Among the tips that you usually won’t read often is checking the accuracy of the square you bought. There’s always an assumption that these tools are perfect. But to avoid further damage on the house rehab, make sure the tool is accurate. This is especially true for framing squares. To test its accuracy, align its tongue with a straightedge, with the tongue on your direction. Use a pencil and trace blade to form a straight line. Flip it over and align the tongue, this time with the tongue faced against you. Draw another line by tracing the blade. If the two lines are parallel, you have an accurate square.

Follow these tips when using the square tool and you’ll be making perfect angles in your house rehab. Remember, rehabbing houses is also learning about the right usage of tools.