• Info Center - Layout & Marking

LAYOUT, MARKING & MEASURING

All projects require prior thinking, layout, marking and measuring, which is where these tools come into play; from squares, bevels, chalk lines to rulers and straightedges.

SQUARES

A square is a measurement device consisting of two straightedges set at right angles to each other. The “square” refers to the tool’s primary use of measuring the accuracy of a right angle (90°) so you want to make sure your angles are 90° certified.  In within this category there are many variations.

A large carpenter’s square, also known as a steel square is graduated with scales typically for use in cutting off and notching and some carpenters say that it holds the answers to common roof framing problems. There are 2 main parts to the square, the body and the tongue and they intersect at the heel on the outside edge of the square. On the framing square there are rafter tables and a brace measurement table.

305 Framing Square Certified 90° heavy duty painted steel frame with complete conversion and rafter tables printed on the reverse side

This square is also known as a speed square, rafter angle square and triangle square. Basically, the rafter square is a triangular tool that combines functions of the try square, combination square and the framing square. Rafter squares can be made of metal or ABS. Degree gradations embedded on the tool eliminate complex trigonometry calculations, helping you speed up the job. Beyond making basic measurements or marking lines on dimensional lumber, it’s also used as a saw guide for short 45° and 90° cuts and other perpendicular cut marks, angles for roofs, stairways and decks.

444 Ergocast™ Rafter Square Certified 90°, durable and lightweight with molded-in conversion tables and easy to read gradations. The base enables easy marking and cutting.

A T-square is a technical drawing instrument used by draftsmen primarily as a guide for drawing horizontal lines on a drafting table, drafting board, drywall or wooden surfaces. It may also guide a set square to draw vertical or diagonal lines. The T-square has two components: the long shaft called the blade and the short shaft called the stock or head.  A drywall T-square is designed to cut drywall or other plasterboards

316 Drywall T-Square Certified 90° with double edge and angular markings, is available in two lengths (90cm, 120cm /36″, 48″)

317 Adjustable T-Square 120cm (48″) The 317 has a sliding head that adjusts to any angle and ABS end caps with ledge for a hands-free hold, an indentation in the profile to mark and cut safely, highly visible dual directional printed scale, etched angle markings on the T-head and folds for easy storage.

A combination square is a multi-purpose measuring instrument primarily used for:

  • Ensuring the integrity of a 90° angle
  • Measuring a 45° angle
  • Measuring the center of a circular object
  • Finding the depth
  • Simple distance measurements

It is composed of a ruler and one or more interchangeable heads that may be affixed to it. The most common head is the standard or square head which is used to lay out or check right and 45° angles. The combination square is one of the favorite tools for woodworkers, stonemasons and metalworkers.

352 Combination Square comes with a heavy-duty cast zinc body, a stainless-steel blade with permanently etched ruler markings and 5 milled sides for superior accuracy.

325 Magnetic Lock Combination Square   A Kapro innovation, this square has a magnetic lock adjustment that will amaze you. Instead of screwing and unscrewing every time you need to change the measurement, just pull it out and re-position it. It works smoothly thanks to the rare earth magnets in the head. It comes with an easy to read vial, a magnet held stainless steel scribe and a belt holster.

Try & Mitre squares consist of two straight pieces: the stock and the blade which intersect one another at either 45° or 90°. A try square is both a woodworking and a metalworking measuring tool.

309 Ledgend™ Square Certified 90° with a unique ABS support ledge, a permanently etched stainless steel blade with 22.5°, 45°, 67.5° and 90° angle markings for beveling and framing.

353 Ledge-It™ Square This unique square is certified 90° with a two-sided 30° cast-in handle platform, retractable metal ledge support, etched gradations, etchings at 10°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 50° and 60° for beveling and framing as well as holes every centimeter for fluid pencil marking.

307 Try & Mitre Square Certified 90° with a solid riveted construction and permanently etched markings in cm and inches.

A sliding T bevel, also known as a bevel gauge or false square is an adjustable gauge for setting and transferring angles. The handle is usually made of wood, metal or plastic and is connected to a metal blade with a thumbscrew or wing nut. The blade pivots and can be locked at any angle by loosening or tightening the thumbscrew. The bevel can be used to duplicate an existing angle or set to a desired angle by using it with any number of other measuring tools. An absolute must tool in any construction, renovation or non-standard angle projects.

301 T-Bevel   With a built-in 5mm (3/16″) trim gauge on the side and the bottom, a leveling vial and angle markings on the handle, the 301 T-Bevel helps you get accurate angles faster.

Squares specifically designed to make your job even easier.

303 Ceramic Hole Marker   Two-hole sizes (72mm, 32mm) for electrical outlets/pipes and a half-hole for taking measurements after faucet installation are only some of the features the 303 sports. The reinforced polymer handle has an easy to read vial and angle markings every 15°, the ergonomic screw lock helps you set up faster and the 90° wing- for perfect accuracy- is designed for work with spacers, moreover, the 303 Ceramic Hole Marker fits all standard tile dimensions.

318 Electrical Outlet Marker   With two easily adjustable interlocking squares, two vials for easy leveling and plumb adjustment, this ABS electrical outlet marker is ideal for measuring and marking wall panels for electrical socket installation.

RULERS & STRAIGHTEDGES

The primary difference between a ruler and a straightedge is that a ruler is a measurement device whereas a straightedge is a tool for drawing a straight line or checking the flatness of a surface. Nowadays that distinction is generally invalid, it’s all about how you use it.

306 Ruler Anodized aluminum ruler with durable printed scale accurate to 0.7mm/m

308 Straight Edge Contractor grade anodized aluminum with printed scale accurate to 0.7mm/m

312 Cutting Edge Ruler with cutting edge and handle, a printed scale accurate to 0.7mm/m that is available from 60cm-120cm (24″-48″)

630 Telescopic Aluminum Ruler The solid construction maintains the accuracy of the ruler while the telescopic capabilities make it a great measuring tool which can be easily stored.

314 Set & Match® System   The Patented Set & Match® system consists of an aluminum straightedge with etched marking and a zero-center scale, easy-to-read slide & lock vials (horizontal & vertical) and non-slip foam backing. Hanging shelves was never easier.

But the Patented Set & Match® system is more than just that, it’s the ultimate layout and marking tool with optional attachments. The range of practical accessories provides the flexibility to use this tool in many projects.

314-89 Handle & Sliding knife guide  In addition to the basic 314 Set & Match® patented System, the 314-89 has sliding vertical and horizontal knife guides and an ergonomic handle.

314-90 T-Square Work Center In addition to the basic 314 Set & Match® patented System, the 314-90 has sliding vertical and horizontal knife guides, an ergonomic handle, built-in storage, a magnetic bar for holding nails/screws and doubles as a T-Square.

313 Measure Mate The ultimate home-improvement tool

CHALK LINES

A chalk line, chalk reel or chalk box is a simple hand tool consisting of a box with a reel of string inside it. The box is filled with chalk powder and the string, once coated with it is reeled out and used to mark straight lines. On the end of the string is a metal hook which can be attached to an object. Once the string is positioned it can be “plucked” at the center and the tension forces it to snap back down leaving a chalk line on the surface, sometimes known as “snapping the line”. Generally used for marking long, straight lines on relatively flat surfaces much farther than is practical by hand or with a straightedge.

201 Zinc Chalk Line With a heavy-duty zinc body and solid end hook, the 201 doubles as a chalk line and a plumb bob.

211 Plumb Bob Chalk Line Classic Plumb bob design with new technology, the 211 offers a durable Easygrip™ case, all in one hook with docking point, smooth rewind and clean refill.

213 Ergonomic Chalk line   A rubber “nose” for perfect string tension, all-in-one end hook with docking point, clean chalk refill and a sure grip ergonomic handle are the main features of the 213.

214 Sure Grip Chalk Line & Level With retractable line level that clicks into chalk line, the sure grip ergonomic handle and an extra fast rewind, the 214 is the top of the line Chalk liner level.

222 Chalk Bottles With smart nozzle and vibrant colors (red and blue), these chalk bottles come in 4 bottle volumes to choose from (113g/226g/1kg/2kg – 4oz/ 8oz/2.5 lb./ 5lb.)

MEASURING TAPES

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler and is used to measure distance. It consists of a ribbon of either cloth, plastic, fibre glass or metal strip; all of them with linear-measurement markings. The measuring tapes come in different lengths, sizes and types. You should choose the correct measuring tool depending on what you need to measure.

A flexible ruler with an end hook generally used for measuring and marking. Used by all professionals and DIYers alike.

500 Steel Power Tape The classic spring-loaded, one-touch lock mechanism tape measure, available in 3 lengths (3m/5m/8m (10’/15’/25′)).

510 Optivision® Rollmeter Magnetic Measuring Tape With a heavy duty double printed blade, triple colored printing, a magnetic double-sided hook, push button retrieval, self- locking blade and an excellent blade extension, the 510 is definitely the next generation measuring tape.

Measuring wheels, sometimes called surveyor’s    wheel, click-wheel, odometer, way-wiser, or trundle wheel is a construction distance measuring tool. The flatter the surface the more accurate the measurement yet more practical than a surveyor’s tape in long distance measuring.

601 Measuring wheels lightweight, durable telescopic handle which you can adjust to your height and be comfortable while measuring.

A reel tape measure is a flexible ruler used to measure distance. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fiber glass or metal strip with linear measurement markings

660 Open Reel Tapes durable lightweight ABS case with marking spike and end-claw for distance anchoring. Easy to wash down and available in 2 lengths (30m & 50m)