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.
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
Order Now(via Carbide Processors)
Order Now(via Tool Nut)
More Info(via Woodpeckers)
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.