Milwaukee added a new size of USA-made rafter square to their lineup of layout tools.
The new 12″ rafter square, MLSQ0120, is advertised as having a stronger frame and wider heel for better hold on work materials.
It’s made from aluminum.
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The 12″ square has high visibility laser etched markings and scribe notches every 1/8″ from 1 to 10 inches.
The reverse side has conversion tables.
They are also launching a 300mm metric version, MLSQ1120.
Price: $28
COO: Made in USA with global materials
Discussion
I have had mostly great experiences with Milwaukee squares over the years. I really like their 7-inch square with magnetic base, and their plain-heel version is occasionally very economically priced in a 2-pack.
I like their smaller trim square as well, although I’ve found that it’s not accurate enough for setting up saws or machinery fences. Maybe things have changed – it’s on my list to test a newer production model.
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I’m surprised that it took this long for Milwaukee to move up to a 12-inch size. The 7-inch squares have been perfectly accurate in my experiences, and I expect the same from the new models.
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The Empire 12-inch square is a little less expensive, at $24. It features laser etched markings, has notches every 1/4″, and is also advertised as having a 15% wider heel compared to competing models.
It’s interesting to see the different approaches to square designs, especially given that Empire is owned by Milwaukee Tool.
The Dewalt 12-inch square, DWHT46032, is around the same price, but made in China.
You you can get the Swanson carpenter square for considerably less – under $13 at Home Depot – although the readability won’t be as clear.
Robert
Why has Swanson stuck to the low readability markings? Early on when I was buying basics, at the store I went first to pick up the Swanson because of its name. But upon seeing how much easier to read the Empire was, I went with that.
JR Ramos
That’s just the one Stuart chose to link to – they still make several models, some with contrast markings and have for many many years now. Or you can just china marker or paint marker the grads on the plain ones…or better yet, use a La-Co lacquer stick (much more durable than the other two).
https://www.swansontoolco.com/product-category/speed-squares/
Tim B.
Was about to suggest the same trick! I’ve been doing that to my old cheapie squares for decades… Actually lasts pretty long between doing it.
Though I will say, some of those newer squares are much nicer in other ways, too..
Nathan
I assume it’s what keeps the cost down. I’ve seen a few people paint them then sand flat. Leaving paint in the marks
But for the dollars I also just buy an empire.
ElectroAtletico
15-year old Johnson Square has served me well, but if it ever got lost, I guess I can hit up the Empire one.
Alexk
I have the 4” and 7” Milwaukee. I like them, but the edges are too sharp. My 4” trim square was accurate.
Jason M
I got a 4” and 7” 2-pack Johnson black laser etched on sale that have been awesome, I find myself grabbing the 4” more and more since I’m generally cutting 4x dimensional. Surprised I don’t see them too often
Milwaukees felt nice too but I’d echo the sharp edges comment, I’d want to compare the two if I needed a 12”
Blocky
Same here. I kissed mine w a file to break the edges. Never felt compelled to do that w any other square.
Mine also shows a dimpling deformation around the scribe cutout from the sheer cut where the die entered the stock from one side — don’t think I’ve seen that on any other square either.
Jared
Don’t forget there’s Veritas 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″ and 3 1/2″ squares from Lee Valley to complete your set.
JR Ramos
I love that tiny little 1-1/2″ square! Extremely handy with small parts at the drill press. Dead on accurate, too…as you’d expect from them.
Jared
That’s actually the only one of the three I own – and it’s just fun.
It’s forget-it’s-in-your-pocket small and handy to have at hand for quick checks.
Adam
I don’t think the 4″ is inaccurate, but it isn’t long enough to provide accuracy, if that makes sense.
I mainly use on 2x material with a circular saw. Enough for what I do most of the time.
Wayne R.
It’s the difference between precision & accuracy: The thing’s accurate, but its small size precludes precision.
Stuart
No. At least with earlier production models, a reader told me theirs was out of square and I tested mine and found the same. It wasn’t enough to affect how I use it to mark workpieces, but I have avoided using it to square up fences, blades, and similar.
I have a newer production sample I bought from Home Depot that I’ve been meaning to test.
Leo B.
I think it’s the other way around- it’s precise, not necessarily accurate. It could be a degree off 90, but you can mark that 89 degrees or something exactly, every time. Using the old target illustration is how I always remember the difference. You can hit one spot very consistently, even splitting your other arrows down the middle, but that’s not necessarily the spot you want to hit. That would be precision. Hitting the bullseye, more or less, would be accuracy. Splitting your bullseye arrows would be both accurate and precise, which is the goal. Marking with the square is precise (reasonably) out of the box, but you have to check for accuracy.
Stuart
Precision = repeatability
Accuracy = closeness to the desired property (in this case a perfect 90°)
Leo B.
Much better summarization Stuart, thanks.
Stuart
A bullseye is a classic visualization. Maybe it’s time to revisit the concept.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/the-difference-between-accuracy-and-precision/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
While it seems simple, the difference between precision and accuracy is very abstract and takes time to learn for the first time, let alone apply it.
Al
Feb 17, 2025
I use the unpainted aluminum square. But not for the geometry. 90% using it as a saw guide (and measuring with a tape) not for angles.
I agree, it is less readable. But I’ve been messed up by other people’s marks because they’re incorrectly counting out hashes instead of just transferring a mark.
I hit a tick mark with a pencil or marker to use it like a story stick. Then wipe it off easily.
Cutting 2x lumber…I’m mostly using it as a guide for a circular saw, so the fancy color doesn’t matter.
Mark. M
The little Milwaukee trim square has been super handy and is accurate enough for what I use it for. My favorite 7″ is the blue Irwin version. Good contrast and doesn’t seem to scratch or have the sharp edges like the anodized/machined ones.
eddiesky
Why do the Milwaukee’s remind me of … Woodpecker product? But not close…as their stuff is more stainless and red, or smaller. And MUCH more pricier. I wouldn’t want to have a square onsite that I could lose, drop or such that was more than $28.
Jo B
I’d buy one of these, especially with 1/8” markings.
I have a Milwaukee®, 7”, magnetic, speed square, and I have mixed feelings on it, mostly that it needs improvement.
My two biggest beefs are that it doesn’t have 1/8” scribe marks. Secondly is that the anodizing wears off easily in a few months, being put in/out of its holder on my pouch. I can’t see hardly any degree markings on one side. I claimed warranty, and Milwaukee® said that they would replace it, but didn’t.
I’m going to try a TrigJig® square next, and make a different holder.
JR Ramos
One of the only standout features of the Milwaukee 7″, I think, is the square cutout for use as a pipe/dowel support for trim cuts. Not heavy duty for that purpose by any means, but quite handy to have sometimes. It’s curious that they would leave that out of this larger version with more space – maybe a leverage concern for aluminum that is probably still the same plate thickness as the smaller ones. It’s maybe more unique now that Tri-Vise/Lumberlok seems to have gone out of business. Great idea, though, used smartly.
I get way more use out of that little 4″ trim square than I expected I would…..quick cutoff guide but mine are accurate enough not to quibble about trusting them for cuts or setup (I find them too large for most machine setups, though). I’d rather have one in that nice Empire blue but whatever. I actually like the dark green ones that Menard’s sells under their house brand but unfortunately those aren’t the best functional squares as far as the layout is concerned.
I’ll bet if Milwaukee were to introduce a steel or titanium speed square it would go over pretty big…I’d actually consider one.
JR Ramos
The holiday deal twin packs of the 7″ square are at closeout pricing at my local HD stores for $14…down from $17 a week ago. It’s a heck of a deal if you need two or gift one. I think they had the regular single pack for $14 also, down from the usual $19. Seemed to be one of those in-store-only deals.
Kompahko
I’ve been using a Johnson square and the main feature I like about it is how easy it is to mark joist hangers with it. You can line it up with your mark, mark the outside and then trace a big line at 2-1/2 using the inside cutout.
Mike
Lots of parallax error introduced with all these new ‘chonky thicc’ speed squares, definitely not for precision work.
I like my Milwaukee cordless tools, but that engineering didn’t carry over to the hand tools. Their “solutions” to non-existent problems usually create new & exciting problems.
JR Ramos
Circling back to the holiday twin pack of the 7″ squares….Home Depot stores are closing those out at $10.04…!!! That’s $5 each. I don’t really need another but I couldn’t pass up that deal so I picked up a pack today, gifting one to a friend. They won’t let you order online and you’ll have to select specific stores to see if they actually have the pricing and some in stock.
That’s like 1/4 of the usual price for a single. Whatta deal.