try square

American  

noun

1. a device for testing the squareness of carpentry work or the like, or for laying out right angles, consisting of a pair of straightedges fixed at right angles to one another.

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try square British  

noun

1. a device for testing or laying out right angles, usually consisting of a metal blade fixed at right angles to a wooden handle

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Etymology

Origin of try square

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

try square

The wood is placed upon the bench, and the joint marked out by using a marking knife or penknife blade and the try square.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by Fairham, William

Gauging.—After squaring all the shoulder lines round the timber with the knife and try square, the mortise gauge should be set so as to strike the two gauge lines marked G, Figs.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by Fairham, William

The T-Square is another modification of the try square, its principal use being for draughting purposes.

From Carpentry for Boys In a Simple Language, Including Chapters on Drawing, Laying Out Work, Designing and Architecture With 250 Original Illustrations by Zerbe, James Slough

Set out the stiles with a marking knife or penknife and a try square, as shown at Fig.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by Fairham, William

Transfer these lines down the edges by the aid of the try square.

From The Library of Work and Play: Gardening and Farming. by Shaw, Ellen Eddy