meddyliol Posted September 21, 2021 Share #1 Posted September 21, 2021 Just bought the OcCre HMS Beagle. I was wondering if it is worth buying a small stainless steel square to ensure the frames etc are square. I know I could make a wooden one but a metal one would be more accurate. I will probably need some help as I go along as the last ship I attempted (I think is was the USS Constitution, the one in Boston Harbour I believe) was a disaster when I got to the planking so gave it away. feel more confident now though. Kit was purchased from Hobbies in the UK. Thanks Brian mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted September 21, 2021 Share #2 Posted September 21, 2021 Hi Brian, I have a four piece set of steel machinest squares and use all of them on every build, so yes, I think these are a good investment. I use them on fully framed models and bulkhead type framing as well. Worst case, I would get a small one and a large one with the latter being at least as high as the cap rail from the building board. Even with the square, be sure your building board is true in all directions. For really small items and spaces, Lego blocks form the grandkids work very well for me, thanks to a tip somewhere here on MSW in the past year or two. Allan mtaylor 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meddyliol Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted September 21, 2021 Thanks a lot, never would have thought of lego blocks. Do you think a one inch or two inch square would be OK? Can only really afford one before my Mrs starts getting irritated LOL. Cheers Brian mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maaaslo Posted September 21, 2021 Share #4 Posted September 21, 2021 erm, what eyes dont see, heart dont care about... just tell her you found it in scrap... mtaylor 1 Quote Pavol stands for Paul, Pablo, Paolo etc. Please do not try to pronounce it, just call me Pav... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Pellett Posted September 21, 2021 Share #5 Posted September 21, 2021 Brian, You must be a newlywed! Wait in the weeds until she needs those cute shoes that she saw, a new handbag, or better yet a new outfit. Then pounce!😏 Roger allanyed and mtaylor 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Pellett Posted September 21, 2021 Share #6 Posted September 21, 2021 Brian, Another tip. On a limited budget buy tools that do double duty. Instead of buying a small engineer’s square buy a decent quality combination square, the kind with the sliding leg. This will be useful for other things. Roger mtaylor, allanyed and Bob Cleek 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meddyliol Posted September 24, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted September 24, 2021 On 9/21/2021 at 5:40 PM, Roger Pellett said: Brian, You must be a newlywed! Wait in the weeds until she needs those cute shoes that she saw, a new handbag, or better yet a new outfit. Then pounce!😏 Roger Yes, I am a newly wed, at least I was 54 years ago LOL Roger Pellett and mtaylor 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted September 25, 2021 Share #8 Posted September 25, 2021 (edited) We have an unspoken agreement after 52 years of wedded bliss.... The bliss is because I say nothing when a QVC package arrives at the door and she says nothing when a package from Gilmer Woods, McMaster Carr, Syren, or other of my sources arrives. Even-Steven as far as we are both concerned. I no more understand why she buys some things any more than she understands the stuff I buy, EXCEPT we both know if it gives each us some kind of pleasure in its own way that is enough for us to know. (A pretty decent set of machinist squares can be found for $30 or less.) Allan Edited September 26, 2021 by allanyed mtaylor, RichardG, Roger Pellett and 1 other 3 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cleek Posted September 25, 2021 Share #9 Posted September 25, 2021 (edited) These ought to get you "squared away" for your build. They are all inexpensive enough that you should be able to cover them out of "pocket money" and she'll never notice it. If the packages arriving may pose a problem, have them shipped to a friend. Grizzly H2993 Machinist's Square Set, 4-Piece - - Amazon.com 2", 3", 4", and 6" squares set. May be used in conjunction with each other. Essential for squaring in tight spaces. $28.45 12'' Adjustable Sliding Combination Square Ruler&Protractor Level Measure Set | eBay Full featured combination square, protractor, center finder, bubble level, and 12" steel rule/straightedge (useful for cutting with a hobby knife as well as measuring.) $15.56 Thin-Beam Square (micromark.com) Invaluable for cutting thin stock, particularly sheet stock. $19.95 from MicroMark, but if you sign up for their email catalog advertisements, these are one of their "loss leaders" when they have sales and can be had for half price on sale. Train Buddy regularly sells the same square for $17.39. Thin-Beam Square - Train Buddy™ but, when comparison shopping, don't forget to factor in the shipping to the total cost. Edited September 25, 2021 by Bob Cleek mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wahka_est Posted September 25, 2021 Share #10 Posted September 25, 2021 Lego duplo works really well Jack12477 and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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