When I was a teenager, I worked at O'Connor Hardware in Billerica, MA. Tom Silva would come in several times a week. Everyone knew him and he was a great guy...what you see here is what you get. He's the real deal.

@catlady8324

4 жыл бұрын

Matthew Collins It’s nice to hear about a “Celebrity”, who behind the scenes, is not dirty and corrupt. I always trust blue collar folks more than business big wigs, Hollywood types or especially politicians. 🔨🧱🧰

@coreybartkuscole444

3 жыл бұрын

O’Connor’s is awesome. Going back soon.

@swirledworld340

Жыл бұрын

​@coreybartkuscole444 is the hardware store still around??

@matthewcollinsmc

Жыл бұрын

@@swirledworld340 Yes! It has moved locations over the years but still occupies a huge space in a strip mall in Billerica. They also converted from a True Value to an Ace store, but the overall experience and quality is the same

@swirledworld340

Жыл бұрын

@matthewcollinsmc that's awesome... if I'm ever in the area I'll tell em Matt Collins and Tim silva recommend 🤣🤙

As a long time tradesman, every time I see Tom in action, you can tell he is a real pro. His technique and ease of movement is a treat to watch. He's the real deal

@DarthRelkew

4 жыл бұрын

That's super cool man! Really is.

@webberfan1234

Жыл бұрын

Master Craftsman

@Sturmcrow1

10 ай бұрын

He is very good, however, when using the speed square as a circular saw fence, I think it actually works far better if you put the square on the far side of the board rather than the nearer side (for up to 8" wide boards anyway).

I love This Old House! My dad passed away years ago so I turn to these guys when I need help working on stuff. I appreciate this program and all that they do.

@SrikanthPRABHA7

2 жыл бұрын

❤️🙏

I asked for a “speed square” in the tool section at Home Depot and they had no idea what I meant. Felt like a real pro explaining it to them.

@mitchjohnson4714

3 жыл бұрын

I spent 45 minutes in Home Depot yesterday looking at rafter squares and trying to find the speed squares. Those rather squares sure looked like speed squares, but I wanted to make sure I got a speed square. I finally gave up and just got a rafter square.

@George-mf5hq

2 жыл бұрын

There are only a few people that know anything in that store. If I need info, I just google it

@marcuswilliams6840

2 жыл бұрын

@@George-mf5hq Sad, but true.🙄

25 years ago I started watching this show. It is still on the air. Damn impressive.

Tom is the ultimate carpenter- I wish I had one tenth of his knowledge.

I love this show! These guys can fix anything. Their shop is always clean and their projects come off with out a hitch. All is right in this world.

I bought a speed square not know how versatile it is. So glad I stumbled on this very informative video!

I did not know like 90% of that stuff on a speed square. I literally use it just for drawing a 90 degree line. Awesome

For years i use a speed square just for the 45° angle and then wonder what was all other ingravement about . thanks for the knowledge.

Tom Silva and his homemade speed square holders. What a king.

Tom Silva: not all superheroes wear capes.

@landreewilliams

7 жыл бұрын

Not all Silvaheros wear capes

@bigdaddyjavie

6 жыл бұрын

No, they wear Dog tags.

@TheTruth-ge7fj

4 жыл бұрын

@@bigdaddyjavie absurd.

Have used a speed square for longer than I care to admit on a hobby basis and didn't know half of what was shown today. You truly can learn something new every day from This Old House.

Honestly one of the most informative videos they've ever produced

Tom Silva what a Gentleman. You always explains and makes things looks so easy. One can confidently take in as Gospel truths all your instructions and illustrations! Thank you

I have a square that's about 25 years old, I use it to level, find agles, rip 2x4's out of other wood, everything. It's got a LOT of uses.

you know you mean business when you make tools just to hold your tools

@sanctusdeuscruor6219

3 жыл бұрын

Lol, indeed!

@cultclassic999

3 жыл бұрын

It's like hank hill has a small WD40 just in case his big WD40's cap gets stuck.

@ThePowerchimp

2 жыл бұрын

...with tools.

@davesellards1505

2 жыл бұрын

@@sanctusdeuscruor6219 Carpenters Pennsylvania

@TheSokodelic

2 жыл бұрын

Use a tool to make a tool for a tool!!!!

Using it as a fence for a saw is a new one for me. Thanks Tom.

I've watched Tom Silva since the 80s helping Bob vila on this old house , man I wish I was a apprentice under Tom Silva he knows alot I'd love to know

@godlyintellect6311

4 жыл бұрын

"he knows a lot I'd love to know" - I like how youve put it.

@brandonmoen6956

4 жыл бұрын

I agree! It Would be a dream come true to learn and Apprentice under Tom Silva and Norm Abram

Every man in America should take a master class on how to be a man - taught by Tom.

Simple brilliance. These are among the skills that we've been shedding the last few generations.

where has this tool been all my life !

I'm a Licensed Master Plumber, Licensed Plumbing Contractor and Licensed Builder. Tom Silva is a TRUE PRO!

I have never thought of a speedsquare. Now I need one.

The gentlemen in TOH are the best. Enjoy watching them for 30 years

Simple back to basics video with the master.

Of all the tips and ' how to`s" on you tube, you can always trust these guys to get right to the point and be accurate.

It's going to be a sad day when Tom finally hangs up his speed square for good.

@Phyoomz

6 жыл бұрын

I'm sad already just thinking about it. :-(

@louie99999

5 жыл бұрын

He’s got an awesome accent.

@alext9067

5 жыл бұрын

I remember what must have been the first time Tommy was on This Old House. Bob Vila and Norm met him while he was installing a deck. He had the deck all framed out and not one post hole had been dug. Bob and Norm were scratching their heads and asking. Tommy said something like all the years he's been building decks he's yet to meet up with the predetermined post holes. Now that the deck was up, he KNEW where they were gonna be. Bob and Norm (in a private moment) remarked on the fact "Okay if that's what he does" (or something like that) I think Russel Morash spotted Tommy and the rest is history. (I'm kinda assuming that Russel Morash was still producing the show back then. I'm sure he was.)

@TheMarkFerron6

5 жыл бұрын

WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT??!

@sbaumann8810

5 жыл бұрын

Yes it will. Very clever guy

I knew it’s handy, but the number of additional new things I just learned! Wow!

Haven't used a speed square since construction class in highschool. Here recently I started a new job and realized I forgot how to find my angles using one. Thanks for the refresher

I love my Swanson Speed Squares! Yes, I have a few of them, two aluminum for my construction, and two plastic for my balsa airplane projects. And I am familiar with all aspects of the speed square. Here's a tip; verify the 22.5 degree mark, then scribe a mark to make things easier when making anything that is in an octagonal shape.

@RenKnight347

5 жыл бұрын

Exactly what I use my plastic Swanson Speed Square on as well. Good to know that some of us still build'em from the ground up.

I’m amazed at all the people who wear rings and long sleeves in the shop. When I was in wood shop at school you couldn’t get near any machinery much less a workbench wearing either.

Finally I found clear and simple instructions for all the ways my speed square can be used. Thanks guys!

Truly professionals in their field..

Plain and simple. Thanks on how to use a speed square and the tip at the end mate.

For many years I watched your show on PBS channel 28 , I have learned so many things and love so much and I became a handyman making living. Thank you so much.

Whelp. I watched this clip a couple days ago, and immediately went out and bought a swanson speed square and some 1x1 aluminum tubing and made my own holster. It works great!

I have been in construction about ten years and with all the big companies and small ones I have worked for through my union I think these guys are awesome.

Wow ... I am a little embarrassed to admit just how much I learned from this video ... mind blown.

Just got one of these for the first time…so handy drawing straight lines for cuts! Cool to see all the different uses.

i've been in the oilfield for 4 years and never used a speed square like this.. Now i know the simple tasks i can do a LOT faster! thank's Tom

Had one in my pouch for 25years, wouldn't go to a jobsite without it!

Just want you to know that I went and got me a speed square because of you Tom. I watch all of you all's videos. If it's an ask this old house I watch it, all 4 of you are awesome and I've learned a lot.

Tom Silva is so awesome, he slows down his carpentry explanations to experts that are listening to him.

This is simple. I don’t do much wood work. But I occasionally cut a few boards for simple projects around the house. When making my cuts they would usually be off square. But now I know the basics of using a square. Got to get one now.

Just pure gold . That is some next level of expertise 🙏❤️

Thank you guys for explaining the mysterious speed/rafter square. I have about a half dozen of them lying around and haven't known how to use them until today.

Tom Silva is such a boss.

I'm a noobie to carpentry doing small stuff in the garage and I absolutely love this device.

Thanks Tom ! You guys are the greatest Tom

I never knew all these different uses for the speed square. This will come in handy!

Thanks Tommy for the know how. I got one a speed square but didn’t know all the facts. Also can use it with a plumb bob to find the pitch and level

I love the show and all the info,techniques and tools. Tom's accent is pretty cool too.

Once again, another clear, and concise, Ask This Old House video. Tom Silva has, obviously, been around the block multiple times. The Speed Square... for most people, including numerous carpenters, a tool under utilized due to a lack of knowledge.

A very useful and handy tool. Thanks Tommy for the explanation.

I just got exactly same square as that and I didn't know how to use it properly until I saw this! thx!

Tommy is just a genius with magnificent ideas.

Tawmy! Thanks for showing me all the other things the square does. I wondered what all the other notches and stuff were for.

Pure GOLD....didnt know my speed square could do all that

I made one of those speed square holders out of thermoplastic beads. Molded it up in 5 minutes, doing a job with it now. Great!

Great information for a journeyman (me) or a master! Thank you Tom.❤️

Best speed square video i have found!

Thanks Tom Silva you are like a master to me , gracias .

There was insane amount of knowledge in that few minutes....

I gotta say, when I made a deck for the first time a speed square is probably my most used tool. Aside from a drill and circular saw. I love it

I love these two guys .

I love this old house..

Thank you (one thousand times!!) My speed square was going in slow motion I swear! 🤦‍♀️ To get the angle situation figured out in my brain was just a mess. Thank you for making that simple! 👍

I met tommy a few times over the years, getting a haircut in Wilmington mass , the lions den . It’s long gone now . I was waiting and sitting right next to him . I said you look familiar . Nice guy .

thank god for Technology and Gurus like tom....Awsome thank you

Informative, concise, and funny. Great video

I saw that made your 16" mark right at 16". Then your stud would be to the side of that mark. I was taught that when marking 16" centers that you make your mark either 3/4" before or after the 16" mark, then put your X. That way when you want to hind the center of your stud after covering it up with drywall, you just measure 16" and you will be in the center of the stud.

Amazing. I was about to say why don’t you just Make the holder and he did just that! Gotta love them

I love Tom Silva, and his show, 😘

Yes! I’ve always wanted a square holder like his!

Tom is a master for sure

When I was just a "Kid", way back in the 1950's, no true Master Carpenter was ever without the "Speed Square" and the "Steel Square"! And you would be truly surprised by how much they depended on those two tools!

god i love these guys. Norm is my idol but the entire crew has been useful as well!!!

You have so many tools I love this tool

❤❤❤❤❤ tons of ❤❤❤❤! Excellent teaching here. Thank you!

Looks like This Old House shops at Harbor Freight. I bought my 1st 12" dual bevel miter saw. A lot of places online say to use a speed square to square up the miter saw. I bought the same speed square from Harbor Freight today that you are using in the video.

@ryansimpson3074

2 жыл бұрын

I thought it was Swanson. I think that the diamond cutout is a trademark for them

Yep. I learned new stuff! Thanks Tommy

Wow. I learned soo much. I only used it for straight lines and a guide for my saw

Thanks. Always something to learn!

I was holding the lip of the speed square on the wrong side of the board! Now it will be easier to make a cut keeping the lip of the square near me.

Tom Silva is an artist.

Toms bloody brilliant 👍🏻🇬🇧

oh man, I wish I knew this yesterday. could've saved time to do whatever today

These guys are so funny and entertaining. :-) Thanks

this video was so informative, thanks so much.

that was very interesting and helpful.

This video was awesome and I learned something new!

Excellent instruction. Makes a good pry bar, too. But maybe, only once. Makes a handy scraping device for getting snow, and ice, off framing lumber in the winter. (I won't tell you what I think about winter framing!!)

OMG everyone needs a speedsquare thaks for the fab explantion

Thank you for video. It was very interesting!

I learned a lot from this video, thanks.

Awesome video!!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

Awesome speed square holder. I chiseled out a recess in the wood then added a piece of bent kydex. Now my square goes in easy and holds tight while crawling over rafters. If you don't have kydex a spring from a window screen or a piece of metal banding would probably work too.

Now that's a youtube video. Full of great info and nicely presented. Well done guys

@notahotshot

Жыл бұрын

This is definitely one of the KZread videos ever made.

I bought a new pretty one today, it's pretty Blue and laser etched! But I am disappointed however because it doesn't make me any more of a carpenter than I was this morning 😟 but I have become interested lately and have a small project I'm working on now, definitely a skill that doesn't come overnight, that is a fact, it's not easy as it looks! Thanks for the lesson 👍