This guidance comes from Norman Pirollo of WoodSkills.
Norman is a long-time furniture maker and woodworking instructor who shares detailed advice on tool selection and hand tool precision.
His insights on layout tools are drawn from decades of experience and practical use in building furniture of all shapes and sizes.
This article highlights the layout tools Norman finds most useful, from traditional squares to more specialized options like bevel gauges, panel meters, and Japanese layout tools.
Whether you’re building a small keepsake box or a full-sized cabinet, the right layout tools make the work easier, more accurate, and far more repeatable.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Norman’s channel:
Why Layout Tools Matter in Woodworking
Layout tools are essential for transferring measurements, marking angles, and ensuring accurate cuts. These tools provide the foundation for everything that comes afterward—cutting, joinery, and assembly.
Norman emphasizes that good layout tools eliminate guesswork and save time in the long run.
If your marks and angles are precise from the beginning, you’ll spend less time correcting mistakes and more time building confidently.
The Role of Squares in the Shop
One of the most fundamental tools in any woodshop is the square. Norman uses a mix of small and large shop squares, as well as combination squares, to mark right angles and verify cuts.
Small try squares are especially helpful when working inside tight corners like dovetails or drawer frames. Larger shop squares are ideal for checking the squareness of big panels or carcasses during assembly.
Combination squares offer flexibility by allowing users to mark both 90° and 45° angles with a single tool. Norman keeps several around the shop so he doesn’t have to stop what he’s doing to find one.
Bevel Gauges and Angle Finders
For angles that aren’t 90° or 45°, a bevel gauge becomes invaluable.
These tools let you capture and transfer custom angles, especially useful in chair construction or splayed legs.
Norman keeps a variety of bevel gauges on hand—some compact, some vintage, and some with preset locking positions. These gauges are especially handy when making multiple parts that must match a custom angle exactly.
He also uses angle protractors for setting up complex panel layouts or checking parts during dry fit. Their ability to show degrees precisely speeds up layout and avoids trial-and-error.
Panel Meters and Marking Gauges
For larger projects, Norman turns to panel meters—tools designed to scribe consistent distances from the edge of a board across long spans.
These tools help ensure clean, parallel lines across tabletops, casework, or frame-and-panel doors.
Marking gauges are his go-to for joinery like mortise and tenons or dovetails. A sharp marking gauge creates a clear, fine line that guides the saw or chisel precisely where it needs to go. Norman prefers gauges with micro-adjusters for extra control when precision matters most.
Japanese Layout Tools
Norman integrates Japanese layout tools into his workflow for their simplicity and reliability. Japanese squares typically have fixed 45° and 90° angles, and their lightweight construction makes them fast and easy to use during repetitive tasks.
While not adjustable like Western combination squares, their accuracy and simplicity often make them the better tool for jobs that require repeatable results.
Small Squares for Detail Work
Miniature layout tools also have a place in the shop. Norman uses small aluminum or brass squares when working on boxes, drawers, and fine joinery.
These tools are compact enough to fit inside corners and tight spaces while still providing accurate references.
Examples include tools from makers like Woodpeckers, which offer precise 45° and 90° angles in a format that fits easily in the palm of your hand.
Depth Gauges and Calipers
Beyond layout, Norman uses calipers and depth gauges to confirm material thicknesses and cut depths. These tools are especially helpful when working with veneers or cutting grooves and rabbets.
Calipers tailored for woodworking often include fractional markings that match imperial measurement habits common in the craft.
They also reduce guesswork during fine joinery tasks like setting tenon shoulders or checking the depth of dadoes.
Dividers for Consistent Joinery Layout
When spacing dovetails or marking consistent mortise spacing, Norman uses dividers. These tools let you divide a length into equal parts with great accuracy, which is key for traditional hand-cut joinery.
Adjustable locking dividers can be reused again and again for batch work, and they eliminate the need to rely on rulers for these repetitive markings.
Hook Rules and Shop Rulers
Hook rules improve measuring accuracy by catching the edge of a board and holding the zero point steady.
Norman keeps several hook rules and steel rulers in different lengths on his benches for quick reference.
These tools are particularly helpful when measuring from board edges or transferring dimensions from plan to stock, without worrying about slippage.
Practical Advice for Tool Selection
Norman doesn’t believe in buying the most expensive version of every tool. Instead, he recommends having multiple good-quality tools positioned around the shop for convenience.
He acknowledges the quality of premium tools like Starrett but encourages woodworkers to explore well-made alternatives from Japanese brands or mid-range suppliers.
The key is having reliable, accurate tools that fit your workflow and budget.
Final Thoughts
A well-rounded set of layout tools brings precision and repeatability to your woodworking. Whether you’re marking a simple 90° line or laying out a complex compound angle, the right tool saves time and boosts confidence.
Norman’s approach is grounded in practical use—tools that hold their accuracy, feel good in the hand, and are always ready when needed.
His video offers a deeper look into these layout tools and how they perform in real shop scenarios.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Norman’s channel: