OX Tools Squares & Bevels
OX square range covers rafter, try, combination and sliding bevel tools for setting out, marking and checking cuts properly on site.
When you're marking roof timbers, checking 90 degree cuts or copying awkward angles, this is the sort of kit you reach for all day. The OX square range is built for chippies, roofers and joiners who need clear markings, solid edges and tools that stay trustworthy after bouncing round the van. Pick the right OX rafter square, OX sliding bevel or try square for the work and get your setting out sorted.
What Are OX Squares and Bevels Used For?
- Marking out rafters, stair parts and studwork is where an OX rafter square earns its keep, giving you fast angle lines and repeatable layout marks without dragging out bigger gear.
- Checking saw cuts and keeping first fix timber square is a standard job for an OX try square or OX combination square, especially when you are working through door linings, carcassing or bench work.
- Copying and transferring awkward angles on skirting, trim, boxing in and roof work is exactly what an OX sliding bevel is for, saving guesswork when nothing on the job is truly square.
- Setting out quick 45 degree and 90 degree marks on sheet material, battens and timber lengths is where an OX speed square or layout square keeps the work moving.
- Working through snagging and fit-out jobs, these squares help spot twisted cuts, drifting lines and out-of-true corners before you fix anything in place.
Choosing the Right OX Square
Sorting the right one is simple: match it to the marking job, not just the shape of the tool.
1. Rafter Square or Try Square
If you are setting out roofs, stud walls or quick saw lines, go for an ox rafter square or ox speed square. If you are checking finished cuts, trim and joinery for a dead square edge, an ox try square makes more sense.
2. Sliding Bevel for Irregular Angles
If the job involves old walls, stair strings, boxing in or trim work, an ox sliding bevel is the one to have. It lets you lift an angle from the job and carry it straight to the saw or bench without guessing.
3. Combination Square for Mixed Work
If you want one tool for marking depth, checking 90 degree and 45 degree lines, and doing general bench or fit-out work, an ox combination square gives you more flexibility than a fixed square.
4. Markings and Visibility
If you are working outside or in poor light, buy the one with bold, easy-read graduations. Fine markings are no use if they disappear under site dust or you cannot read them quickly on a roof.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies rely on an ox square for first fix, roofing and second fix, whether they are marking joists, checking mitres or setting out repeat cuts on timber.
- Roofers and timber framers swear by an ox rafter square because it speeds up birdsmouths, pitch marks and quick angle work when the weather is turning and the job still needs doing.
- Joiners and bench workers use an ox try square or ox combination square for cleaner layout lines, tighter joints and checking that cuts are still true before assembly.
- Fitters and finish carpenters keep an ox sliding bevel nearby for scribing trims, transferring odd wall angles and sorting those corners that are miles off 90 degrees.
Choose the Right OX Square for the Job
Use this quick guide to pick the right square for the work in front of you.
| Your Job | OX Square Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Setting out rafters, studwork and fast angle cuts | OX Rafter Square | Triangle profile, common angle markings, quick 45 degree and 90 degree layout |
| Checking joinery, trim and clean saw cuts | OX Try Square | Fixed stock and blade, reliable right angle checking, good for bench and site work |
| Transferring awkward wall or roof angles | OX Sliding Bevel | Adjustable blade, locks angle in place, useful for scribing and repeated cuts |
| General layout, depth checks and mixed carpentry work | OX Combination Square | Adjustable head, measuring rule, 90 degree and 45 degree marking in one tool |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a rafter square for every job is a common one. It is quick for layout work, but if you mainly check finished joinery or trim, a try square or combination square is usually the better fit.
- Ignoring the readability of the markings slows everything down. If the scale is hard to see once it is dusty or you are up on a roof, you end up second guessing lines and wasting timber.
- Using a sliding bevel as if it sets its own angle catches people out. It only copies what you give it, so check the source angle properly before locking it off and cutting expensive material.
- Chucking squares loose in the van with heavy gear soon knocks them about. Keep them flat and protected or you risk damaged edges and less trustworthy checking.
- Not checking the tool against a known straight or square reference now and then is asking for trouble. A quick check can save a full run of cuts being slightly out.
Rafter Square vs Try Square vs Sliding Bevel
OX Rafter Square
Best for fast site layout, roofing marks and repeated angle lines on timber. It is the one you grab when speed matters, but it is less suited to copying odd angles from existing work.
OX Try Square
Best for checking true 90 degree cuts, marking straight lines across timber and keeping joinery honest. It is simpler than a combination square and solid for regular right angle work.
OX Sliding Bevel
Best when nothing on site is square and you need to lift an angle exactly as it is. It will not tell you the angle on its own, but it saves a lot of trial and error on scribing and trim.
OX Combination Square
Best for mixed bench and site jobs where you want measuring, depth marking and both 90 degree and 45 degree checks in one tool. It is a good all-rounder if you do not want separate squares for every task.
Maintenance and Care
Wipe Off Dust and Resin
Give the square a quick wipe after use, especially after cutting treated timber or resinous softwood. Built-up grime can hide the markings and stop the tool sitting cleanly on the edge.
Store Flat
Do not leave it wedged under heavy kit in the van. Keeping it flat or in a protected pocket helps stop bent edges, knocks and worn markings.
Check Accuracy Now and Then
Offer it up against a known straight edge or square setup every so often. If the tool has taken a hard knock, check it before trusting it on a run of cuts.
Keep Sliding Parts Clean
On an ox sliding bevel or ox combination square, keep the locking parts free of sawdust and dirt. If the blade slips under pressure, the copied angle is no good to you.
Why Shop for OX Squares at ITS?
Whether you need an ox rafter square for roofing, an ox sliding bevel for scribing, or an ox try square for everyday bench and site checks, we stock the full range in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery, so you can get the right marking and layout kit on site without hanging about.
OX Squares and Bevels FAQs
What types of squares and bevels does OX Tools manufacture?
OX Tools makes the core site and carpentry types you would expect, including ox rafter square options, ox try square models, ox combination square tools and ox sliding bevels. That covers quick roofing layout, right angle checks, general marking out and copying awkward angles on real site work.
How accurate is the markings scale on an OX rafter square?
The markings are made for proper layout work and are clear enough for fast roof and timber setting out, provided the tool is looked after and the edge is not damaged. Like any square, accuracy depends on keeping it clean, readable and free from knocks that can throw your lines out.
What is an OX sliding bevel used for in carpentry?
An ox sliding bevel is used to copy and transfer angles that are not a simple 45 degree or 90 degree mark. It is handy for scribing skirting, setting stair parts, trimming around wonky walls and repeating roof or fit-out angles at the saw.
Are OX squares made from extruded aluminum or stainless steel?
Across the range you will see both depending on the tool type. Many ox rafter square and layout square models use aluminium for a light but tough site tool, while some try square or rule components may use stainless steel where a straight, wear-resistant edge matters most.
Will an OX square hold up to being used every day on site?
Yes, these are built for regular trade use, not just the odd bench job. They will cope with daily marking out, but no square likes being buried under heavy gear in the van or dropped edge-first onto concrete, so a bit of care keeps them trustworthy for longer.
Do I need a rafter square or a combination square?
If you mainly work on timber layout, roofing and quick saw lines, go rafter square. If your jobs are more mixed and you want depth marking, 45 degree checks and general bench use, a combination square is usually the better all-round buy.
