DeWalt 30cm / 12" Premium Rafter Square

First impressions and build

Pulling the DeWalt rafter square from its package, the heft is the first thing that registers. The body is an extra‑thick piece of extruded aluminum that feels more like a precision tool than a throw‑in accessory. The fence (the wide base that hooks the workpiece edge) is notably broad, which gives it a confident, positive register on a board. It’s not trying to be ultralight, and I appreciate that in a square that’s meant to double as a layout tool and a saw guide.

The finish is a matte black with high‑contrast, stamped graduations. The numbers and scales are recessed, not just printed, so they resist wear when this inevitably slides around in a jobsite bucket or rubs on a saw’s shoe. Edges are clean with no sharp burrs on my sample; the casting/extrusion lines are well broken and don’t snag a pencil or glove.

Readability and layout features

The high‑contrast markings are the standout here. In bright sun or under dim garage lighting, the bold numerals stay legible. That matters when you’re squinting at a common rafter run or a quick square cut on a ladder. The tool is imperial only—no metric—so if you routinely switch between systems you’ll need to keep a separate metric square.

Scribe notches along the body make quick rip lines a breeze. I found them evenly spaced and cleanly formed; a sharp pencil rides them with just enough guidance to avoid wandering. For on‑the‑fly rips on sheathing or when knocking out consistent reveals, the notches save time. They’re also far enough from the edge to keep your pencil from slipping off short stock.

Accuracy out of the box

A square’s first job is to be square. I checked mine three ways:

• Flip test on plywood: I struck a line with the tongue, flipped the square, and struck again; the lines overlapped along the length.
• Comparison against a machinist’s square: no discernible light gap at the heel.
• Fence flatness: placed on a known-flat granite surface; no rock or teeter, and a 0.0015 feeler gauge wouldn’t slip under the midpoint of the fence.

That’s what I want to see in a framing square. The thick extrusion helps resist flex, and the broad fence makes consistent registration easier. I also looked over a second unit at a local shop and noticed a slight crown along the fence that introduced a hint of rock on flat stock. It wasn’t severe, but it’s worth checking. If you feel any movement when you press down on both ends of the fence, pick another unit—accuracy lives and dies by that flatness.

In the field: layout and daily use

I’ve used this square on a mix of 2x framing, trim carpentry, and shop work. A few takeaways:

• Framing and roof layout: The degree and common rafter scales are bold and easy to see, and the body’s thickness means your pencil has a firm, broad surface to ride against. Marking plumb and seat cuts feels positive.
• General carpentry: The wide fence shines. It grabs the edge of dimensional lumber and sheet goods, reducing slip when you mark repeated crosscuts. For small pieces, the weight helps; one‑handed alignment is more accurate than with lighter, thinner squares.
• Shop use: For joinery and cabinet parts, it’s plenty square for rough layout and crosscut marking. For machine setup or precision casework, I still reach for a machinist’s square, but this DeWalt gets me close quickly and consistently.

The thickness also gives enough meat to clamp against when you want a temporary stop or guide. I’ve clamped it to melamine for repetitive cuts and found it rigid enough not to bow under moderate clamp pressure.

As a circular saw guide

Using the square as a fence for a circular saw is one of its best roles. The broad fence hooks the board stoutly, and the extra thickness puts the saw’s shoe against a stable surface that resists hopping over the edge. With a 7‑1/4 inch saw, I had no trouble keeping a straight cut through 3/4‑inch ply and 2x material.

A few tips for cleaner cuts with this setup:

• Keep the saw’s cord (or battery bulk) from snagging on the square’s body.
• Press the heel of the saw’s shoe consistently against the square to avoid toe‑in.
• If you want chip control on plywood, put a strip of painter’s tape along the cut line on the good face before you clamp the square.

The square’s finish holds up well under the saw shoe. Over time, expect scuffing on the high points, but the stamped markings won’t disappear.

Ergonomics and handling

I like the balance of this square. The mass helps it sit flat, the fence is wide enough to find the edge without looking, and the body length gives comfortable reach across 2x12 stock. Edges are chamfered just enough to save your fingers and keep pencils from rolling off.

In cold weather with gloves on, the large numerals and long fence make a difference. You can hook, mark, and move without fuss. On ladders and roofs, that speed and predictability translates into fewer remeasurements.

Durability and finish

Extruded aluminum squares can go two ways: too soft and easily dinged, or over‑hard and brittle. This one lands well in the middle. It shrugged off a waist‑high drop onto concrete with only a cosmetic nick at a corner and no change in squareness. The matte finish doesn’t glare and hides most scuffs. The black surface will show silver where it’s rubbed hard by a saw shoe over time, but that’s cosmetic.

The stamped markings are the durability win. Painted‑only markings fade and smear; these are recessed and filled, so even after the fill wears, the grooves remain readable.

Limitations and nitpicks

No tool is perfect; here are the constraints I ran into:

• Imperial only: If you work metric, this square won’t give you the dual‑system convenience some competitors offer.
• One‑sided markings: The reference face is the star. If you prefer two‑sided scales for odd setups, you’ll miss that here.
• Weight: The extra thickness is a benefit most of the time, but if you clip your square to a tool belt all day, you’ll feel it more than a thin, compact model.
• Quality control check advised: While my unit was flat and square, I’ve handled another that had a slight rock on a flat surface. Inspect the fence for flatness before you buy; it takes five seconds and saves headaches.

None of these are deal‑breakers for the intended use, but they’re worth noting so you can match the tool to your workflow.

How I verify and maintain squareness

A few simple habits keep any rafter square honest:

• Flip test: Draw a line, flip the square, draw again. Any divergence means it’s time to replace or return.
• Fence check: On a flat tabletop, press the fence down at both ends. If it rocks, check for debris or burrs; if clean and it still rocks, reject it.
• Pencil discipline: Use sharp pencils in the scribe notches to avoid widening your marks; a 0.9 mm mechanical pencil fits nicely.

If you ever do nick an edge, a few gentle passes with a fine file will remove the burr without changing the geometry.

Warranty and value

The square carries a 1‑year limited warranty. In practice, issues will show up immediately—either it’s square and flat from day one, or it isn’t. Price‑wise, it sits in the midrange for 12‑inch rafter squares. The added thickness, legibility, and useful fence size justify that positioning for me, especially if you plan to use it as a saw guide.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt rafter square for carpenters and DIYers who value a robust, highly readable square that doubles effectively as a saw guide. It’s square and flat on my bench, the markings are durable, the fence inspires confidence on edges, and the scribe notches are genuinely useful. The main caveats are the imperial‑only graduations and the need to inspect for fence flatness before committing. If you’re fine with imperial scales and you give it a quick check at purchase, this square is a reliable, job‑ready partner that should hold its accuracy and readability through years of layout and cutting.