CH Hanson 00345-3' x 4' x 5', 90° Heavy Duty Aluminum Folding Layout A-Square

I was introduced to the Hanson layout square while attending a timber frame class. It's just a great tool and I don't think you can get a better tool for checking square using the 3-4-5 method. No ruler required.

Great tool. Does what it is supposed to do. Use the tube it comes with for storage.

I've been using this tool for carpentry and tile jobs for two years now and it has paid for itself many times over. A quick breakdown:Pros:1. Folds up to next to nothing, and is thus very easy to store (standing on end or on a rack, shotgun style)2. Portable and easy to use - the push button action to unlock to open or close is a cinch3. Easy and instant way to square your job or check for existing state of squareness (my daughter may think I pass this last test all too well)4. Saves time (and thus saves or earns money for the user)5. Inexpensive (see #4 above) This is as much as going to the movies with my wife and kid. (OK, with popcorn)6. Good size - it's large enough to give you a good reference to extend that square line on a big jobCons:None apparent so farOther thoughts:1. Storage: Mine was shipped in a stout fiber tube that it lives in to this day, though it's getting a little soft at the ends. It would be nice if they offered as an option a snazzy case. But wait, that would only increase the price. No, I'll make my own with PVC pipe...2. Quality: The tool is flexy, as some other reviewers have noted. Through many, many jobs and repeated use, I have yet to experience any lack of accuracy or permanent kinks. Methinks it's nice to flex rather than break or get a permanent bend.3. Value: Too expensive? Perhaps, based on your frequency of use. For me, it has not only earned its keep by paying for itself, but it has saved countless hours of my and my crew's time. That kind of time saved is worth pizza and treats for your honey, in my book. Also, at my age any minutes I save not being on my knees calculating squareness with pencil and tape measure means not going to the knee doctor quite so soon. Use a laser you say? Got 'em. But I reach for this square first to lay it out and follow up with the laser to send the line to the other side of the job and layout the grid, when tiling.4. Flatness: It lays flat enough, I reckon. I haven't found this to be a problem. It lays pretty flat if you lay it on the side that the button is NOT on.On the whole, I would make this purchase again in a second. The tool's been good to me.

Nice large square. 3,4,5 without measuring, and it folds up for storage. Shipped in a hard cardboard tube

I first saw this discussed in an issue of Handyman magazine and thought it might be interesting to try out someday. Time passed, I recalled this, and ordered one. First it arrived not only in a cardboard tube....but with a large box taped onto one end making for a very irregular package. I'm sure the delivery person was confused. I think this will be a nice addition/backup to my laser alignment tools. I am starting a project where I can test this out. I will update as I get more info.PLEASE NOTE: If this arrives in the same packaging; check through all the packing in the box as there was a small bag of extra parts that I did not see at first and almost threw away.

I wish I had this years ago. Very well made.

This is a great solution to get corners square in larger spaces and for more accuracy.

This oil is great when you need to make sure something is square andI couldn’t be happier with it

Really happy with it although I have not used it enough to comment on wear and tear. I do notice it can be tough to close it back to its carrying form, and I do get worried over time that may put it out of square. But it seems pretty strong.

portatil

A great piece of kit for framing footings and basement walls for a house. Folds when not in use and very easy to check if your square

Makes layout easier…Who doesn’t like that? Inexpensive and simple to use

Arrived undamaged and is well packaged in heavy duty cardboard tube. Hoped it was calibrated just because it makes sense for tile layout. Reached out to the manufacturer before ordering so was not surprised to find it blank aluminum. Heavy guage contractor grade, not a toy tool. Currently using it to layout concrete forms butting to existing foundation walls. Speeds up the process and makes for accuracy that is otherwise very tedious using 3/4/5 method with a tape measure.