Unique Design Avoids The Gimmick Trap to Be Genuinely Useful
We always hear the phrase, “Don’t reinvent the wheel”, but in the case of the Morgan Square, it may be a good thing they did! Today, I’m taking a closer look at one of the more unique layout tools I’ve ever encountered, so you can decide if it’s a good fit for your workflow.
Pros
- Speeds up layout tasks
- Reduces errors
- No need to switch between tools
- Solid build quality
- Compatible with standard tape measures
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Morgan Square Key Design Features
The Morgan Square is a smart, purpose-built tool designed to streamline stud wall layout for carpenters, framers, and DIYers. It’s currently available in 8×8 and 8×12 models made from durable plastic or color-anodized aluminum.
The unique design seamlessly integrates with a standard tape measure to mark stud locations in one fluid motion, eliminating the need to switch between a traditional square and a tape measure constantly.
Key features include a laser-etched ruler with both standard and metric scales, a built-in pencil holder, and a 1 1/2-inch wide tongue with a centerline marking. This centerline mark allows you to eliminate the traditional 3/4-inch offset from your layout routine, improving accuracy and saving you some time.
Using this tool, you can easily mark standard stud spacing and openings for King and Trimmer studs, making it ideal for framing projects.
Using The Morgan Square
While the design can be a little confusing at first, it’s actually very easy to use once you understand the concept. Start by hooking any standard tape measure onto the upright mounting plate, and slip the blade underneath the centerline hook.
As you measure, simply align your tape measure with the CL indicator and mark both sides of the 1 1/2-inch wide tongue. This process gives you the perfect center spacing for your 2x studs.
Once you get used to the process by marking a few studs, it’s pretty easy to find a steady workflow that’s noticeably faster than traditional methods.
Morgan Square Price
The least expensive Morgan Square is an 8×8 plastic design. Aluminum models are our preference, and they’re available as an 8×8 or 8×12. If you use wide tape measures, there’s a specific model to accommodate those. Each option has multiple color options.
- 8×8 Plastic – $22.99
- 8×8 Aluminum – $44.99
- 8×12 Aluminum – $54.99
- 8×12 Aluminum (wide tape compatible) – $54.99
Should You Buy It?
The big question we wanted to answer was… is the Morgan Square just a gimmick, or is it genuinely useful?
This is certainly one of the more unique layout tools we’ve encountered, but it serves a valuable purpose. The Morgan Square eliminates some of the tedious variables, saving time and improving overall accuracy.
With that said, don’t toss your old rafter square out just yet because this square does not help with finding angles or during rafter layout. There still might be a slight learning curve for some of the Old School guys, but I think this is a no-brainer for busy framing and layout crews.
