ABC
OF THE
STEEL SQUARE
AND ITS USES
being a condensed compilation from the copyrightedworks of Fred T. Hodgson, author of“THE STEEL SQUARE AND ITS USES,” “PRACTICALCARPENTRY” and numerous other workson building and construction
The present compilation and new matter is made up intothree divisions—A, B and C.
DIVISION A
This Division describes the various kinds of squares,their markings, their uses, and application in the solutionof simple problems.
DIVISION B
This Division shows how the Square may be used forobtaining the cuts, bevels, and lengths of all sorts of raftersfor roofs of every description. It also shows methods forfinding Hopper and other bevels, brace cuts and lengths,and raking cornices.
DIVISION C
This shows what no other work on the Steel Square does,a number of easy solutions of Handrailing Problems, bythe square. Something that has not been done or attemptedin book form before. This division is made up mostly ofquestions and answers from practical mechanics.
COMPILED AND BROUGHT DOWN TO DATE BY
FRED T. HODGSON
WILMETTE, ILLINOIS
FREDERICK J. DRAKE & CO.
PUBLISHERS
Printed in the United States of America
THE STEEL SQUARE AND ITS USES.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Division A.
I will not attempt in this small treatise, togive an historical account of the origin, growthand development of the square, as the subjecthas been treated of at length in my largerworks, as I do not care to pad out these pageswith matter that is not of a severely practicalnature.
Suffice it to say, that while iron squares, figuredon their faces in inches and feet, and smallerdivisions, have been made in England andBelgium for 200 years or more, the genuinesteel square, as we now know it, is a purelyAmerican product, and it has no equal, as noEuropean manufacturer has as yet been able toturn out a square anything like as good or perfectin finish, graduation, or general get-up, asSargent & Co., of New Haven, Conn.; NichollsCo., Ottumwa, Iowa; and The Peck, Stow &Wilcox Co., Southington, Conn. Squares madeby any one of these firms named, may be reliedupon as being as near perfect as it is possible to4make them in everything that pertains to accuracy,durability and general finish. TheAmerican workman should feel proud of thefact that he possesses a Steel Square of purelyHome production which has no equal in theworld.
There is nothing of more importance to ayoung man who is learning the business ofhouse-joinery and carpentry, than that heshould make himself thoroughly conversantwith the capabilities of the tools he employs.It may be that, in some of the rules shown inthis work, the result could be attained muchreadier with other aids than the square; butthe progressive mechanic will not rest satisfiedwith one method of performing operations whenothers are within his reach.
In the hand of the intelligent mechanic thesquare becomes a simple calculating machine ofthe most wond