The Empire 1190 16-in. x 24-in. True Blue Laser Etched Framing Square is a professional framing square built for layout, marking, and checking square in carpentry and general construction work. This is a framing square designed for jobsite layout and accurate angle marking. Model Number: 1190. If you are laying out rafters, stairs, roof cuts, or basic framing lines, this square gives you the size, readability, and durability that matter more than gimmicks.

The big advantage here is visibility. Empire uses laser etched markings that are made to stay readable after heavy use, and that matters when you are working outside, moving fast, or trying to avoid bad cuts on expensive material. It includes 1/8 inch, 1/10 inch, 1/12 inch, and 1/16 inch graduations along with conversion tables, so the square does more than just check 90 degree corners. It helps speed up layout work when you need repeatable reference marks without second-guessing the scale.

The body is anodized aluminum, which keeps the tool light while also helping it resist rust and corrosion. For a framing square, that is a practical upgrade. Steel squares can be durable, but they add weight and can be more of a pain when they get wet, dirty, or sit in the trailer. This one is easier to carry, easier to handle, and better suited to everyday jobsite use where layout tools tend to get tossed in with everything else.

The 16 inch tongue and 24 inch body give you the standard framing square format most carpenters already know how to use. Supplementary product data also lists a 1/8 inch thickness, which gives the tool enough substance to feel solid without becoming bulky. Deep, high-visibility numbers help with quick reads, especially when you are snapping lines, checking framing members, or transferring dimensions to sheet goods and lumber.

One of the more useful details is the ARC-SCRIBE feature. Instead of treating this as just another square, Empire added a way to mark radii directly on the jobsite. That saves time when you need a quick arc and do not want to switch to a separate compass or improvised layout method. For remodel work, stair work, and custom fitting, small built-in conveniences like that are the kind of thing you end up using more than you expected.

This Empire carpenter square is best suited for framers, roofers, remodelers, carpenters, and serious DIY users who want a full-size layout tool that is easy to read and easy to live with. If you mainly need a compact square for trim or pocket carry, this is more tool than you need. But if your work involves roof framing, hip and valley layout, or general jobsite measuring where a real framing square earns its keep, this one makes sense.

Empire 1190 16-in. x 24-in. True Blue Laser Etched Framing Square Gets the Basics Right

This is a straightforward, job-ready framing square that earns its spot by being light, readable, and actually useful for real layout work.

• Who it's for: Carpenters, framers, remodelers, and serious DIY users who need a full-size framing square for layout, angle marking, and roof work.
• Why it stands out: The anodized aluminum body keeps weight down, the laser etched markings stay easy to read, and the ARC-SCRIBE feature adds real jobsite value.
• Worth knowing: This is a single framing square, not a kit. If you want a compact trim square, look smaller. If you want one square that can handle everyday framing duties, this is the right kind of simple.

• What type of tool is this? This is a framing square used for layout, marking, and checking square in carpentry and construction work.
• What is the square made from? It is made from anodized aluminum, which helps resist rust and corrosion while keeping the tool lightweight.
• What sizes are the two legs? The square has a 24 inch body and a 16 inch tongue.
• Are the markings easy to read? Yes. It uses high-visibility laser etched markings and includes multiple graduations plus conversion tables.