What are the key differences between a carpenter square and a pipe fitter's square?
Answer:
A carpenter square and a pipe fitter's square are both measuring tools used in different industries for different purposes.
Carpenter Square:
A carpenter square, also known as a framing square or a try square, is primarily used in carpentry and woodworking. Typically made of metal, it consists of two arms, usually at a right angle to each other, forming an L-shape. One arm, called the blade or tongue, is longer and typically used for measuring and marking straight lines and right angles. The other arm, called the heel or body, is shorter and used as a reference for making square cuts and checking for perpendicularity. Carpenter squares often have additional markings, such as rafter tables, allowing for various measurements and calculations used in carpentry tasks.
Pipe Fitter's Square:
A pipe fitter's square, also known as a pipe square or a combination square, is specifically designed for use in pipe fitting and plumbing. It is typically made of metal and has a more compact and versatile design compared to a carpenter square. Pipe fitter's squares have multiple arms or blades that can be adjusted and locked at different angles, such as 45 degrees and 90 degrees. These squares are used for measuring and marking pipe cuts and angles, ensuring precise and accurate fits when joining pipes together. They often have additional features, such as built-in levels, protractors, and angle scales, to aid in pipe fitting and layout tasks.
Explanation:
Carpenters use carpenter squares for general woodworking and construction tasks, while pipe fitters squares are more specialized tools tailored to the specific needs of pipefitting and metalworking projects. The tools of a carpenter, like a framing square, often called a carpenter square, has two arms that normally meet at a right angle to form a "L" shape. The tongue has a shorter arm (about 16 inches) than the blade, which has a longer arm (often 24 inches). A tri-square or combination square, commonly referred to as a pipe fitters square, frequently has a unique design. The basic design is a metal ruler with a sliding head that may be locked at several angles for flexible measuring and marking.