View Full Version : Plastic Triangles
Dave Zellers
03-27-2012, 6:36 PM
I need to get a good accurate square. Everyone here seems to swear by plastic drafting triangles. Where do you get them? I'm looking for a nice 12" 45º, 45º, 90º.
Pointers?
Jamie Buxton
03-27-2012, 7:29 PM
I got some at a local drafting-supply house.
Oddly enough, one of them wasn't really square enough for my purposes. But acrylic plastic shaves just fine with a hand plane, so I squared it up pretty quickly.
Rick Potter
03-27-2012, 7:33 PM
I know my local craft store carries them, also check art supplies.
Rick Potter
Ken Fitzgerald
03-27-2012, 7:35 PM
I purchased mine at a local Staples store in the drafting department.
Neil Brooks
03-27-2012, 7:40 PM
Oddly enough, one of them wasn't really square enough for my purposes. But acrylic plastic shaves just fine with a hand plane, so I squared it up pretty quickly.
Awwwww, MAN !
Is NOTHING sacred ??
:)
John Coloccia
03-27-2012, 9:15 PM
A trick I picked up is to choose a long edge, put an engineering square on it, and scribe a 90 degree line. It's very accurate because you can literally split a line with the scribe mark and get a very precise 90 degree line (put the scribe mark facing down when you do this).
Dave Zellers
03-27-2012, 10:40 PM
Thanks all. Just came across the Rockler triangle. Perfect. Assuming it's square... :cool:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25091
Bill Huber
03-28-2012, 12:31 AM
I like the Alvin fluorescent, clear ones are hard for me to see the edge.
Keith Outten
03-28-2012, 6:02 AM
Another Option:
I make my own triangles.
I cut large clear acrylic triangles on my laser engraver.
I cut really large triangles from 1/2" thick Corian on my CNC Router.
There are plenty of people here who would be glad to cut custom triangles for a Member of The Creek.
.
Jerome Hanby
03-28-2012, 8:33 AM
Thanks all. Just came across the Rockler triangle. Perfect. Assuming it's square... :cool:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25091
I'm sure those are fine, the 30,60,90 model might be useful, but those prices are much higher than I paid. Think I got mine from either a Michaels (artsy fartsy store) or one o the office supply stores. I never thought to actually check it, I just assumed it was "perfect"...
scott vroom
03-28-2012, 10:26 AM
+1 Alvin drafting triangles
Bill Huber
03-28-2012, 10:31 AM
Here is a thread you may want to look at, when using drafting triangles.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?163340-Quick-tip-when-using-drafting-trianges&highlight=Triangles
Bill White
03-28-2012, 10:42 AM
Staedtler brand from a drafting supply. Model MARS 965 10-45. VERY accurate.
Bill
Matt Day
03-28-2012, 10:47 AM
They have the basic clear ones at all the big box stores too - Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, etc.
Lee Schierer
03-28-2012, 12:06 PM
If you do a google search for drafting triangles will will find numerous sources. Mine are made by TACRO or HELIX. Alvin triangles are also pretty good.
Dave Zellers
03-28-2012, 12:31 PM
Lots of good info! I've been Googling all the suggestions and just ended up also buying an 8" Staedtler steel triangle.
http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-PROTRACTOR-8-TRIANGLE/dp/B003LK1OMY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ac_1
I'm also eyeing the Lee Valley carpenters steel square but that will have to wait.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32587&cat=1,42936,42944&ap=1
My two 35 year old aluminum carpenters squares are getting worn and don't seem quite up to the job of fine cabinetry.
Greg Portland
03-28-2012, 1:05 PM
Random addition to the thread -->
While you're shopping, check out 2mm+ wide lead holders. Tip: pop the end off to get to the built-in sharpener.
Note, I don't use a pencil for marking wood. For cut lines, I use a marking knife & for wood labels I use chalk. However, I like to have a nice pencil for writing notes, marking plans, etc. The wide lead works very well on rough surfaces & holds a better point than a carpenters pencil.
Curt Harms
03-29-2012, 8:35 AM
Lots of good info! I've been Googling all the suggestions and just ended up also buying an 8" Staedtler steel triangle.
http://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-PROTRACTOR-8-TRIANGLE/dp/B003LK1OMY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ac_1
I'm also eyeing the Lee Valley carpenters steel square but that will have to wait.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32587&cat=1,42936,42944&ap=1
My two 35 year old aluminum carpenters squares are getting worn and don't seem quite up to the job of fine cabinetry.
Re framing squares, you might take a look at the blue ones from Empire at Home Depot. They're made in the U.S., Mukwonago(sp?), WI. I think. I took two of 'em off the rack at home depot, found the flatest nearby surface I could find and stood them back to back. They looked pretty good, there was no visible gap.
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