Tool Review: Woodpeckers DelVe square
With its well-thought-out features and small size, the Woodpeckers DelVe square packs a big punch.
Woodpeckers’ diminutive DelVe square packs a big punch. It has well-thought-out features, and its small size makes it the perfect choice for many tasks.
The blade of the square is not centered on its base, resulting in a 3⁄8-in. offset to one edge and 1⁄4 in. to the other. This allows for simple and precise layout of 1⁄4-in. mortise and tenons on 3⁄4-in. stock. Holes are drilled at 1⁄8-in. intervals along the blade’s 90° edge, useful for scribing parallel lines. The various dimensions of the square make it perfect for accurately adjusting a router depth stop to either 1⁄8 in., 1⁄4 in., or 3⁄4 in. Similar to what you’d find on a speed square, the hypotenuse is marked at 5° increments for scribing angles. The 90° edge is perfect for ensuring sawblades and fences are perfectly square, and the 45° edge can be used to dial in mitered cuts on the tablesaw or miter saw.
The DelVe Square is machined to very high tolerances. Its anodized aluminum body is laser-etched, making it robust and accurate. The square was originally offered as a one-time tool opportunity from Woodpeckers, who retired it in 2015. However, popular demand has led the company to add it to its catalog as a regular offering. It would be a fine addition to any workshop.
—Ray Finan makes furniture in Vermont.
From Fine Woodworking #285
Comments
I truly like this square and use it often. However, the holes that are designed for drawing parallel lines are very small - too small for a #2 pencil, and the points on my mechanical pencils break frequently when using these holes. I'd still give the tool high marks though.
Same gripe I have. Makes most of the nice features unusable.
Yowza. At an MSRP of $59.99, it's gotta do more than be a nice little square that fits in my pocket and breaks pencil leads. It should at least make the coffee in the morning. No thanks.
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