Timber Framers Guild Forums Tools Tool Forum Its like a square, can't remember what its called

I remember running across a thread on it and finding it on the internet, but now all of the searches I've done for a "square" or "big Square" end up at dead ends and the searches I've done here didn't help either.


What is that "square" called for doing mortise and tenon layout.

Looks like a big square "speed square"

Is it "Big" something. I remember it was bigger than a speed square and was actually pretty close to being square with references for doing layout that made doing a standard tenon a breeze. Just can't seem to find it now.

Thx

Pegs,

if I recall correctly it is called "Big Al".

Want to purchase one?

http://tfguild.stores.yahoo.net/bolate.html

Thx EH thats it...

Odd name for a tool

This layout tool was invented by Al Borneman. When he made the first one, he gave/showed it to Jack Sobon. It had only two or three slots for drawing lines at different distances off the layout edge. It worked but it wasn't very long and it needed more slots for further distances away from the layout edge. So this smaller layout tool was replaced with a larger one, and as Al invented it, the short name became the "Big Al"....

For understand how to use this layout tool, I wrote a "how to story" at http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=6403.0
with photos. You'll have to scroll down past "tool list" the basic stuff to find the picture and story about using the Big Al....

Jim Rogers

I found it there too, Jim.

In fact I think thats where I saw it first. Have two on order now.

Don't forget about "Big Als Mother"


Dave

I don't know the "Big Als mother" story.....

Does anyone else have an accuracy issue with their big al? I have two, and it seems like it was designed to allow for the thickness of a dull pencil. If I use a knife with it, the lines are actually a little off. If I hold a framing square against the fence, I can see that the edges of the slots are little off the marks on the square. Did I just get unlucky with both of mine, or were they designed this way? CB.

Can't tweak it daiku?????

You are a pretty inventive guy....I know you can figure it out....cause if my new ones are bad....I'm sending them to you...LOL