In my Applied Mathematics class, woodshop has put the shop in
applied. During a unit on fractions, I asked students to build a
number of these try squares, all different shapes and sizes. In
order to assess my students ability to read a ruler and
calculate fractions, I made all the dimensions wonky. No 8″ cuts
for my students! Dimensions looked like 8 3/4″, 4 3/8″, 5 “1/16
and all sorts of foolishness. Once I felt my students had
mastered the build process, we took our show to Houston’s Mini-
Maker Faire! 1. Cut your beam from straight-edged 1″or 3/4″ x
1/4″ thick stock. I like mine about 8″. You can get thin stock
like this at Home Depot or Lowe’s, but I’m not sure on the
widths available. 2. Cut three 6″ lengths to become your try
square stock. 3. Use a speed square set the interior angle while
you clamp the four pieces together with carpenters glue. The
middle piece of stock should stick out of the center by the
width of your beam. 4. Wait until the glue dries. Carefully use
a chisel or file to remove the s