From https://kevincaron.com – Artist Kevin Caron shows how to make an accurate right angle even if you don’t have a square ….
Kevin is holding a framing square that can be used for making accurate right angles, but how do you make an accurate right angle if you don’t have one of these squares?
A long time ago, Kevin was making a sculpture and wanted to make sure it was straight and square so it didn’t lean to one side. A neighbor showed him a trick ….
It’s a very easy formula to remember: just three numbers, like 3 4 5.
Kevin uses a tape measure to draw a 4″ line on his workbench. He then draws a 3″ line from one end and perpendicular to the first line. He then measures from the two open ends, “connecting all the dots.” If the right angle is correct, the length of that new, long line should be 5″. If it isn’t, just adjust your lines accordingly.
He says this tip will work with any set of numbers – 3 4 5, 8 9 10 – however high up you want to go and big of a square you want to make. Whatever you’re trying to put together, now you have a guideline to use.
Kevin thanks his neighbor, Doug, for showing him this trick. He then apologizes to his math teacher, Mr. Inman – he knows you tried to explain this at one point. Sorry!
Thanks for watching, and before you head out, stick around for another moment when a mirror might have helped ….