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Last edited 04 May 2023

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Set square

1 What is a set square?
2 Background
3 History
4 Types of set square
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] What is a set square?

In the simplest of terms a set square is a template that is set at 90 degrees, it is used as an aid to the drawing, measuring or making of objects with right angle elements. Square set timbering, although similar might though refer to a construction method using heavy timber cubes as supports for underground tunnels and shafts.

[edit] Background

Traditionally set squares were often made of wood with a void in the centre and measurements along the sides, today they may be part of a basic geometry set, made of clear plastic, often used for technical drawing. A standard geometry set is likely to have two different types of set squares: One a simple isosceles triangle with a 90 degree and two 45 degree angles. The second with a 90 degree angle, a 30 degree angle and a 60 degree angle, or a special right triangle where the angle ratios are 1:2:3. Also common in addition or replacement is a geometry triangle, combining a protractor (a semicircle with graduated degree markings from 0° to 180°, set within the 45/45/90 degree triangle with mm measures along the longest side.

[edit] History

Set squares created using two straight arms fixed at right angles were probably used in ancient times, the Egyptians were known to have created set squares using strings, by marking points with knots to create triangles. There are various accounts of the first set squares some of which include Nicolas Bion in the late 1600's as having made and sold mathematical instruments in Paris,including the set square, whilst the geometry triangle is said to have been developed in 1964 by the German-Austrian manufacturer Dennert & Pape Aristo-Werke. The term set square and its function are howvere used in a number of different professions, which as such has lead to a number of differet terms for objects that geometricrally perform similar functions