Johnson Level has been teasing about their new Johnny Square Mach-1 rafter square.
They say:
Get ready for the Johnny Square MACH-1 – the rafter square that’s about to change everything.
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It’s going to change everything? Okay, tell me more.
Here are some more of what they’re saying:
- Unmatched accuracy
- Rock-solid durability
- Unbeatable value
“All in one tool.”
This is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for!
They answered my question about COO and said it’s an imported frame with USA-made vial. I appreciate the transparency.
Someone on social media asked if the bubble level requires a battery, and Johnson Level replied that it’s just a lighting effect.
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They’ve been releasing teasers about this square for about a week now.
Price: TBA
We’ve seen rafter squares with built-in bubble levels before.
Stiletto Launched New USA-Made Carpenter Squares.
Martinez Tool makes something similar.
So does SquiJig.
What does the Johnson Level Mach-1 Johnny Square do differently or better to make it a game-changer?
In other news, because I didn’t want to give this its own post – Martinez Tool, Johnson Level’s sibling company, has announced that their “Reaper One” skull-engraved and cerakote-finished hammer is dropping today with “VIP Access” opening in just a few hours.
This is the email I received just now.
The one Martinez hammer I bought is top-notch, and I do wish they had color customizations when I bought it.
I find this type of marketing to be off-putting, but maybe it’s exactly the type of hammer decor you’ve been waiting for.
Jared
Maybe the “value” aspect is what will set it apart? It looks simpler than the competition since it does not appear to be adjustable.
I don’t hate tool customizations either. The marketing (and the graphics in this case) seem silly to me, but someone who uses a hammer regularly – why not have a little fun?
If the idea is to make a collectible Martinez hammer that’s too nice to use – I’m out. I don’t want to yuck someone’s yum, but I don’t see the point in collecting new-production tools that are intentionally limited. I know Leatherman is busy creating collectables like that, but there’s something odd-feeling to me about intentionally creating something to be collected and not used.
Stuart
SquiJig’s looks to have a one-piece base.
Jared
Good point. I thought maybe it was threaded from the bottom or something. Can you anodize two colors on one piece? I didn’t think so.
Stuart
Ah – I was wrong. I found more images and it shows the heel is attached via fasteners on the bottom.
Matt_T
But can it be used to cut pipe with a hacksaw? LOL.
It looks like a nice square. Lowes shows it at $35 which is under half the price of the boutique woodworker brands. IMO the one piece construction also looks better.
Searching the 1904-0700V part number will find links to it at Lowes and Johnsons websites if anyone wants a better look.
Stuart
Thanks! Great find – I searched thoroughly but couldn’t find it. I’ll work on updating the post.
Ace
Unfortunately, marketing terms like “game changer” or “genius hack” is so overused my instinct is to turn on the BS detector.
Nathan
Seems a complete copy of the stiletto. I’m partly ok for it
fred
Over the last few months, I’ve gotten several emails promoting “new” or “innovative” squares. None have resulted in a purchase for me. Here are 2 links to pricey ones:
https://jessem.com/products/precision-speed-square
https://trigjig.us/collections/rafter-squares
Robert
About the Jessem square. I bought the corresponding Jessem ruler with Flexgrip. It’s pricey, but I really like the Flexgrip perfect amount of “stick” for vertical measuring. Nice for horizontal measurement too, but not as much a game changer as for vertical measurement.
So, on this square I’m on the fence if Flexgrip will work with the raised base. It’s not obvious where the Flexgrip is on the square. The area around the Canadian flag?
Oh, I should say, “Flexgrip” is slight (laser?) etching on the steel at a few places on the ruler surface. It grips, but doesn’t mar, so the ruler stays in place better when you are applying pressure with a pencil against the ruler edge.
Tdot77
I always liked the idea of a level bubble in the square heel but not necessarily the $100+ price for the high end squares that have them. However this $35 price tag seems much more reasonable and I’d definitely look into buying one at this price. Maybe thats what they’re referring to, it’s gonna change the way you spend your money, cause it’ll be a hundred bucks plus cheaper than the other similar squares!
What material is this one made from? Plastic? It’s obviously not titanium like the expensive versions. I can’t tell if it’s aluminum or not?
fred
Two other different squares with built-in levels:
https://www.amazon.com/Britton-Square-7-Black-Green-Aluminum/dp/B0C54HMDD3
https://www.acmetools.com/c-h-hanson-pivot-square-03060/081834030609.html
There are many others – starting in the under $10 range for ones like the plastic and rather basic Swanson T0111
Tdot77
Thanks but those are gimmicky looking and expensive($50 & $75) for what they are. I appreciate the compact non-moving parts of simple speed squares like a swanson speed square the standard framing squares.
PW
Honestly this post made me chuckle. Such breathless marketing for a rafter square!
I’m sort of puzzled about the proliferation of these expensive and sometimes baroque rafter squares. Is there really a substantial market for these?
I’m not in the trade so I’m completely ignorant. I can kind of get spending a lot of money on a fancy hammer you swing, if it results in less wear and tear on your body. Is there really a square worth $100+? How does it give you ROI? Won’t it just walk off or get lost if used for real work?
I’m genuinely curious.
Stuart
Makes people happy? Internet flexing? Why write with a fountain pen instead of a Bic?
They’re better made than standard rafter squares. Do they *need* to be better made? Why eat higher quality steak on occasion? Higher enjoyment of one’s tools might contribute to more productivity.
Jack D
“On occasion”, Stuart?
I’ve never been more disappointed in all me days…
S
Most importantly, how does their design improve MY accuracy of using it?
Squares, whether they’re made of titanium or cardboard are generally only as accurate as the hands they’re in.
fred
Journeyman fitters, in the 18th and 19th centuries, once made their own squares. And – they – through an arduous apprenticeship process – had learned how to use them correctly. In our age of consumerism – the marketing gurus try to convince us that the latest gadget may be the replacement we need for lack of skill. There is no doubt that an inaccurate square (or other bad tool) will not help us to produce good work – but even the best tool will not make up for the lack of training and skill. A fully featured rafter square is sort of a multi-tool – and clever designs may make your workflow smoother or faster by replacing multiple tools – being easier to read etc. But only the user can decide if the extra “features” of a high-priced square are more hype than substance.
MM
I find it ironic that there are expensive luxury versions of many tools where I’m really struggling to see any practical return on that investment, while at the same time there are many basic tools which it is honestly hard to find a decent example.
Want a $100 speed square? There’s apparently a lot of those and there’s ads for them all over the place, though I’m not really sure what they do better than a much cheaper one. On the other hand, finding a good file or rasp is difficult, and that is a tool where the difference between a $5 one and a $50 one is massive.
fred
Ah yes! But I have an old Swanson rafter square – made from aluminum that I thought was fine in my younger days – but now my old eyes can’t read the markings (just scores in the metal) so well. I do appreciate a newer version that has engraved markings – with inlayed paint to contrast with a dark anodized background.
Rasps and files are another thing entirely. As you note, quality USA-made ones from companies like Heller, Nicholson, Simonds et. al. were easy to come by. Hand filing may have hits its peak during the mammoth production efforts of WWII. But with newer powered ways of finishing products – laborious hand filing seemed to lose favor in production settings – as did the volume of files being sold. Swiss Pattern files for jewelers and other similar crafts may have held onto their markets better – but the traditional hand file became more a DIY tool than an industry consumable.
Hand rasps. floats and rifflers once used in furniture making, patternmaking, stair building and carpentry suffered and even more inglorious fate – with moves to powered alternatives. These tools are still prized by hobbyists and craftsmen – and you can find some good modern equivalents – but just don’t expect much from Apex or mass marketers. I use both Auriou and Liogier rasps – both hand stitched – which work very well.
https://www.forge-de-saint-juery.com/
https://www.hand-stitched-rasp-riffler.com/en/
Lee Valley is a source for some of both brands.
MM
Logier rasps are amazing, I ordered some additional sizes & a set of rifflers from them in early March. If their 12-16 week lead time is accurate they should be completing my order shortly, and I am very much looking forward to receiving them.
As for files, I’ve given up on most brands. Nicholson chainsaw files are OK, but for everything else the only thing I will buy anymore are swiss pattern, preferably Glardon-Vallorbe (actually Swiss made), but F. Dick (German) and Grobet (Italian) aren’t bad. Alas, you have to find these from specialty suppliers like jewelry supply places.
Mopar
I used to own a left-handed file for laminate work. I left it on a job when I quit grumblefortyplusgrumble years ago and never replaced it. I’m at a point in life now where I can afford a stupidly overpriced tool if I want it. I’ve seen some left-handed rasps, but have not seen a lefty single cut file in a very long time.
Blocky
On the subject of files, recently had to run out and buy a better file on a job. The local mom and pop hardware store and had an ‘ivy classic’ 10” American pattern file for $13. It had hardness specs on the package, cut impressively well and has put me on the search to upgrade from my husky set.
I’ve found a lot of ivy classic items are still a solid value. They certainly don’t seem to spend frivolously on package design, tool styling, or marketing.
Grady
I’ve alot of squares with a bubble. The markings are painted on not engraved. I’ve also seen squares with offset blades allowing 3/4″, 1/2″, and 3/8″ offset. So, what exactly makes this square a game changer?
Phil
It says it has laser etched markings, just like everyone from Empire to Martinez. Pretty standard. They said its under $50 so that’s one advantage over Stiletto and Martinez. Is that a game changer, maybe to some, that is half the price, or more, of those guys.
It appears that the heel is also much smaller in height than some others. As someone’s who has used the Stiletto, I can tell you that the massive heel they have is heavy to have in your bag all day and flops around or just falls out. Very annoying.
From what I’m seeing it looks like an improvement on the pain points of what’s out there in this category of squares today. Game changer might be a stretch, but disruptor is valid. I guess we’ll have to wait for someone to do a side-by-side comparison with tools in hand.
Stuart
That’s stretching quite a bit.
It’s become common practice for a lot of brands to claim “innovations” and “game changers” with such claims only true if you’re completely unaware of existing products and solutions.
For example, Kreg calls some of their newer seemingly copycat tools “ingenious.”
Blocky
I’m sure Johnson has seen the flurry of new square designs erode their share of what was a pretty steady segment.
I agree, this looks like a solid entry, looking at the tool and not the marketing.