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Woodpeckers just announced a new 12" square built out of G10 composite material (high-end fiberglass). They are pitching it as an outdoor square that is well suited for construction sites, etc. The marketing even goes so far as to pitch it as a bulletproof square. While I really like the color scheme on this square, I think it is a product in search of a niche. I find it hard to believe that those working in construction will find value in this square on the jobsite and be willing to pay the premium for it. What do you think?
https://www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-12 ... quare.html

I cannot imagine a carpenter with a $120 square in his tool box, Life expectancy of a tool like this on a work site is too short.

I'd vote fool's tool. There is little if any reason to have the level of accuracy Woodpecker's is known for in an outdoor tool. Construction tools take a beating and I know from experience that Woodpecker's tools aren't up to that task while remaining accurate. They should stay safely in the shop and where they can be treated properly.

A 12x8 steel square can be had for $3 at Menards and if you lose it, damage it, or it gets stolen, you just buy another.

Yeah, I wonder if they are mis-marketing it. Their ad pitched construction uses but they talk about it being able to take a beating, e.g. being dropped, etc. I wonder if this product is Woodpeckers attempt to counter criticisms about their expensive squares and concerns about dropping them on concrete shop floors. I think there could be a small market for a product like this directed at woodworkers who want a high precision square that is more tolerant of being dropped on the floor in the shop. I know some woodworkers choose to have two sets of tools, e.g. one expensive square/caliper/ruler to use as a reference and multiple cheaper squares/calipers/rulers for everyday use. This square might be an alternative option to have one and only high quality square in the shop that you don't have to panic and have a heart attack if you drop it. Just a thought...

Sounds like another entry in the world of "Gentlemen's Tools". Tools of finer quality than is practical for the professional or the typical home woodworker. If you think you have enough tools and you have money left over then of course you'd want the gold plated fountain pen version of square. How you can have enough tools is something I have difficulty understanding, but if you have the money to spend just for a top end luxury version of a square then congratulations, and please enjoy.

I can almost see having one of these. I have a 1281 and use it as a reference rather then an every day sort of tool. I want it to stay as perfect as it is and if it were an everyday sort of tool I would more then likely drop it and more then a couple of times a season. This new version I could see as an everyday tool, tough enough to be used that way. In fact if it were say $69 I would place an order but too much at $120. Good idea but bad price point for me and that is saying a lot.

I'm not sure of the marketing idea as it a bit over kill for general carpentry but of course there is the Festool is a premium price item but still used by a lot of trades people so maybe they want the square???

Ed

reible wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 2:34 pm I can almost see having one of these. I have a 1281 and use it as a reference rather then an every day sort of tool. I want it to stay as perfect as it is and if it were an everyday sort of tool I would more then likely drop it and more then a couple of times a season. This new version I could see as an everyday tool, tough enough to be used that way. In fact if it were say $69 I would place an order but too much at $120. Good idea but bad price point for me and that is saying a lot.

I'm not sure of the marketing idea as it a bit over kill for general carpentry but of course there is the Festool is a premium price item but still used by a lot of trades people so maybe they want the square???

Ed

For use on a job site, where you cut mostly rafters,studs and sheet goods for the roof. I feel the same about Festool. My old Craftsman 8" will cut studs right along side of any Festool you might bring to the job site. No dust collection needed and only as accurate as the user.

Cool tool, fool target. If I didn't already have a 1281 that I bought barely used at a good price, I might be tempted by one of these. I can't see carpenters purchasing this at this price. Rather, more likely to buy one or more of rafter, combination, or carpenter squares at $5-20, depending.

It will be interesting to see if Woodpeckers uses this material for other things, such as their rules.

With all the houses going up around mine, I have not seen any of the builders use a regular carpenter's square, all I have seen are speed squares around here. I do not think any of them even know how to use a carpenter's square. They use pre-built rafters with only the jack rafters to be cut on site. Last time I saw a special group show up just to cut and install the jack rafters then leave. The crew that was working on the house, started laying the roof sheathing while the other crew did the jack rafters. Even the trim carpenters that I have seen use a speed square.

dusty wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 3:12 pm For use on a job site, where you cut mostly rafters,studs and sheet goods for the roof. I feel the same about Festool. My old Craftsman 8" will cut studs right along side of any Festool you might bring to the job site. No dust collection needed and only as accurate as the user.

I have a Festool TS75 and while it is great for panel cutting in the shop, the plunge cut is a pain the butt for cutting studs. I have a black and decker 8" saw from the 80's that usually does that job.