What are try and mitre squares made of?

13th August 2021

	What are try and mitre squares made of?


	Shop for Try and Mitre Squares


			Stock
			Wood Many try and mitre squares have a wooden stock, usually made from hardwoods like beech and rosewood. Hardwoods are suited for try and mitre squares because they are generally harder-wearing and stronger than softwoods. Wooden stocks also house the blade stably.

			Brass face plate Wooden stocks generally have brass face plates along the sides that will be in contact with the workpiece. These are to prevent the wear down of the wood. They are made of brass because it is easy to machine, aesthetically pleasing and strong enough to withstand constantly coming into contact with the workpiece.

			Plastic Sometimes, a fibreglass-reinforced plastic is used for try and mitre squares. In some cases it is used for both the stock and the blade. Try and mitre squares with a plastic stock are generally the cheaper option. The process of reinforcing plastic with fibreglass makes it stronger.

			Metal The other material used for try and mitre square stocks is aluminium, which is die-cast and sometimes anodised. Die-casting is the way the metal is shaped and anodising is a treatment process which can colour the metal. Steel is mainly used for the blade on try and mitre squares but can occasionally be used on the stock. This is generally when the whole tool is cut out from one piece of material. This means that the blade and the stock are the same or are very similar in thickness, which can mean there is no lip to secure the tool. This can make them slightly less effective.

			Blade
			Steel Strong blued steel, hardened steel, stainless steel and blued spring steel are some of the descriptions for the types of steel used on try and mitre square blades. Steel is used because of its strength and durability. Strong, blued, hardened and stainless steel are formed by heat treatments and processes which further improve these properties of steel.

			These types of steel have much in common and are manufactured with similar properties. For try and mitre squares, there is very little difference in the performance and all are effective. The price of try and mitre squares is more reflective of the stock’s material. However stainless steel is often considered the best because of its popularity and corrosion resistance and can be slightly more costly.