The hammer head requires four 12 inch pieces of 3X3. The ends of the 36 inch pieces are generally square so using the tri-square, make a mark 12 inches from each end. Carry the mark all the way around the piece and mark the waste side of the cut.

Next, clamp the 3X3 on top of one of the 1X3 boards (position the cut line towards the end of the 1X3) to your workbench. In my case this was my kitchen serving bar. Carefully cut the pieces following the scribe lines. Remember to cut on the waste side of the lines.

To cut the 1X3’s to length (4 pieces) set the tri-square for 12 inches. Use the tri-square to check the end of one of the 3X3 pieces to insure that it is square. Place the second 1X3 on top of the first one then the 3X3 with the square end on top of that. Clamp the sandwich VERY lightly. Now, place the tri-square flush on the end of the board to be cut, then rather than marking the board, place the saw against the end of the tri-square and tap the square end of the 3X3 up to the saw blade. Tighten the clamp, remove the tri-square, flip the saw over and cut a perfect 12 inch length of 1X3 using the end of the 3X3 as a guide. (The woodworkers reading this are probably twitching in their seats – the saw teeth are not kerfed so I can use the back of the saw to set this length. If you’re not a woodworker don’t worry about it.)

The reason you clamp everything on to of a 1X3 is to protect your bench top. As you saw through the working piece you’re going to knick what’s underneath. Since I’m working on my kitchen counter I’d rather nick a piece of scrap then have to pay my landlord for a new countertop when I move out.

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