They are great for getting around Wayne, too. He shows up once and a while. We got in a batch of really decent circ saw timber nice and square. Edge square ruling this time.

I may need a converter to run it, that new square. Have to talk to an electrician.

I have never used a big Al because I've abandoned pencil layout long ago. The square I'd like to see return is the Orem Research Super Square pattern in stainless steel.

Talk to me I can explain it to you in Maine talk.

Jim Rogers

Ayuh, Jim. Next time your down this way we can talk.

Rodger, how are you avoiding the pencil?

Years ago while looking at an old frames layout, I noticed deep over struck lines at motise sides and came to the conclusion that I was looking at the product of a steel pin mortise gauge. That started me down the path of incised layout and templating. What I noticed in myself as I was striking lines was more focus instead going through the process tick marks, pencil lines, checks and finally knifing. I would mark tapes with sharpies for a story pole. So to layout, I would clamp the tape to the timber and mark the location lengths by running the tape over the framing square, set square to mark, retract and lock tape and finally strike the line with an awl. Then strike the mortise sides with a double pin gauge. Swiping with a fixed gauge is very fast, involves no measuring, produces identical marks through the project for mortise and tenon.

For me, marking with awl and gauges, is crisp, quick and sure. The old saying "measure twice cut once" is replaced by verifying templates and transferring marks. Much faster.

Thanks Brad for that insight...We use almost exclusively templating systems we can see through so centering on our layout lines is a snap...Yet we have had some standardized metal templates machined out for us like this one...Perhaps we can check one out soon...But it not being metric kind'a kills it for us...I think??

Thanks, Roger. We are using story stick, 1x4 and laying out on them, then using it as a template for all other, skipped the tape, floppy things, blow in the wind and fall off the timber with a little movement, the recoil box is always falling over or needs to be pushed off the end of the timber to avoid knots. Have thought about using a scratch awl for marking. Have never gotten into the double pin markers. I just got a small one in a junk tool box, though. I presume yours has a large fence?

Oh, the metric system.....

We love our 30' "ProCarpenter Timberframe Tape Measure." We just "flip it" and use the back side of the tape for making our "story-tape." I agree though they can be a pain in the wind or falling of the timber sometimes...We have taken to just using a "quick clamp" to hold them securely in place...I agree further...for most project timbers a nice 1x4 can't really be beat for accuracy, convenience and staying on the timber...

Tim, I just make a simple tee from two twenty inch strips of plywood and set points with sharpened screws. Additional point can added for housings and be advanced and retracted at needed. I use a second gauge for gains.

I can see it. I am tempted to give it a go. With such a system, it would matter not the metric or standard system of measurements. Could be that a ratio of say 4:1 2" mortice/tenon on an 8" timber. Do you have any pictures, Roger?