Woodpeckers has come out with new One Time Tools, 12″ and 18″ precision triangles for layout and machine setup work.
I had been a little hesitant about these triangles, but after seeing them in person at a recent Woodworking Show, and ordering one in the 12″ size, I couldn’t get this post up fast enough.
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Both triangle sizes are made from 1/4″ thick aluminum, and have imperial or metric scales with 1/16″ or 1 mm markings, respectively.
Both have a removable foot, for times when you want to use the triangles flat along a surface. The foot very securely attaches to the triangle using 6 screws (on the 12″), for a rock solid assembly. I haven’t seem the 18″ triangle, but I presume it has at least 6 fasteners to keep the foot in place, perhaps more.
I can definitely see merit in having both sizes, but with a finite budget and limited drawer space, I opted for the 12″. I ordered it without the MDF case, and appreciate that Woodpeckers offers this money-saving and space-saving option.
Prices: $130 for 12″ or 300 mm triangles, $180 for 18″ or 450 mm triangles, plus $20 for the MDF case, and there are 2-tool combos for $320.
These tools were previously offered as One Time Tools back in 2013.
One Time Tool ordering deadline: 2/22/2016
Expected Shipping ETA: July 2016
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I placed my order with Woodpeckers at the show, out of convenience, and also ordered a recently-past-deadline One Time Tool (center gauge and doweling jig) with it. There are several Woodpeckers dealers you can order these from, not limited to those linked to above.
Here’s a promo video:
First Thoughts
For the same money, I can buy a Speed Square, a carpenter square, a nice Empire combination square, a Woodpeckers Delve Square, which we reviewed (they have a few left over if you want to buy one), and still have plenty of money left over for some other stuff.
So why buy one?
Because there have been times when I needed to use a flat triangle, and all I had was something that doesn’t quite fit properly. A carpenter’s square is too thin to be very accurate or useful in some cases. It’s great for squaring up say a doorframe, but not for a lot of my woodworking needs.
The removable foot makes the Precision Triangle a lot more than just a higher precision rafter square.
I think I’ll get a lot of use out of it. And upon seeing the square in person, and how well made it is, my take was totally flipped from “these are nice but a little pricey,” to “I could definitely use one.”
Make no mistake, this is somewhat of a luxury purchase. I think it’s something that’ll save me time and frustration compared to using the layout tools I already own, and maybe even increase the precision of my work and tool setup adjustments. But is it something that I need in the same way that a new woodworker needs a saw to cut wood? No.
In 5 years and after a lot of time using this tool, the sting of the price will be long-forgotten, but its precision and quality will still be at my disposal.
Hilton
These are very cool but about $100 too dear for me. I love the ability to remove the base to allow the triangle to sit flush but I’m not prepared to spend this much.
Well engineered though.
fred
If this is your first order from Carbide Processors – it’s likely that a pop-up on their website will offer you $10 off for subscribing to their newsletter – not a big deal but it might soften the “sting” as Stuart calls it out of laying out $130 or more.
Back on the subject of this precision triangle and WoodPeckers tools in general – they make some really nice stuff – priced OK for how they’re made and what it costs to make them that way – but sometimes way overpriced based on pure utility. Woodpecker’s prices are not as high as those from some others (Bridge City comes to mind.) But as Stuart says – this is somewhat a luxury item purchase.
I own 3 of their triangles – a PTR4, a PTR6 and a BVLTR12. All are very well made and nice to use but more often than not – I seem to grab one of my Starrett combination squares.
So I agree with Stuart: that if a typical Swanson-Type speed square triangle, or an even cheaper plastic triangle from Staples or an art supply store, don’t meet your needs – then this might be a good purchase.
Benjamen
Yeah, I was looking at one of these too. I end up using the Delve square all the time (mostly for right angles and transferring lines over the side of a board.) There are times with something larger would be nice.
I have a propensity to drop things off my bench onto my concrete shop floor. And while I haven’t damaged anything yet that a bit of grinding wouldn’t fix, I don’t think I would survive the shock of dropping something like the 12″ square and denting one of the corners.
fred
I have a raised wooden floor in my basement shop – but epoxy-paint over concrete in my garage shop. I put so called “anti-fatigue” mats in front of my benches. Some of the really old industrial looking mats seem to be holding up better than then newer ones that my wife bought me – but they all work to cushion the fall for tools and keep my feet from hurting. The only real issue is that you need to clean up more diligently – sawdust gets under them – metal swarf can get embedded and solvent/oil spills can be an issue.
starte
“a Woodpeckers Delve Square, which we reviewed (they have a few left over if you want to buy one)”
Couldn’t find any available at Woodpeckers or Carbide Processor’s site, is this still the case?
Stuart
They had a bunch of them at the show that they were selling.
You could try emailing Woodpeckers or Carbide Processors to see if they have one you could buy.
They usually make some extra tools for each One Time Tool run.
I also bought 2 more for a giveaway.
Tom
Sign me up for that giveaway!
Rock_Hound
This one is a bit pricey for me, but thanks for letting me know that Woodpeckers still had a few DelVe squares left. I contacted them today and have one on the way! I was really bummed thinking I had missed out on that one as it is just the tool for the projects I prefer to do!
BikerDad
I seriously considered getting one of these, the big 18″. I want it for a single, specific use: Squaring up the fence on my SawStop Sliding Table, something which I don’t doubt it will excel at doing. Unfortunately, I can’t justify $200 for the cause, not when I can get a drafting triangle for 1/10 the cost. I realize that the drafting triangle won’t be useful for all the other “speed square” tasks that this beastie can do, but I have other squares for those purposes.
To be clear, I do believe Woodpecker makes some good stuff. Methinks I have 4 of their products currently, with 2 “One-Time” tools in the pipeline. And I’m really jonesing for one or two of the T-Squares.
(now if only they would switch from red to blue for their anodizing…. sigh)
NoDeuces
I think this may talk me into buying one. I hope their dovetail marker comes back from One-Time oblivion.
fred
The Veritas ones are another possible choice:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=49424&cat=1,42936,50298,49424