Masonic Tools

1st or Entered Apprentice Degree.

The Working Tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason are the 24" Gauge and the
Common Gavel.
The Twenty-Four-Inch Gauge is an instrument used by Operative Masons to
measure and lay out their work; but we, as Entered Apprentice Masons, are
taught to use it for the purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into
twenty-four equal parts, some in our usual vocation some in rest, and some
in recreation. In the symbolic language of freemasonry, the 24" gauge
becomes the symbol of "Time well spent".

The Common Gavel is used by the Speculative Mason as a symbol to admonish
us of the duty of divesting our minds and consciences of all vices and
Impurities of life, therby fitting ourselves as living stones for that spiritual
building not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.

2nd or Fellowcraft Degree.

The working tools of a Fellow craft are the Square, Level and Plumb-rule.

The Square is an implement made to an angle of ninety degrees, or the fourth
part of a circle. To the Speculative Mason it is an emblem of morality.

The Level is an implement used for testing horizontals and to the Speculative
Mason a sign of Fraternal equality which should always be found in a
Masonic Lodge.

The Plumb-rule is an instrument made use by Operative Masons to test
Perpendiculars; and to the speculative Mason an emblem of rectitude of
conduct. As an Insecure building must eventually fall, so he whose life is not
supported by an upright course of conduct can no longer sustain a worthy
reputation and must soon sink beneath the estimation of every good and
virtous man.

In 1820 Bro. John Harris created tracing boards, (see fig, 19,20,21, ) for the
first three Degrees of the Craft, establishing them as an accepted, though
unofficial part of Craft Freemasonry in England.
The tracing board became a near-essential piece of equipment for Masonic
Lodges in Britain,continental Europe, Australia and elsewhere.
As different Masonic jurisdictions established official, or standard,
Degree rituals the creation of new tracing boards by Freemasons waned
and has since all but entirely disappeared.
Also known as the "trestle board," the tracing board is a painted or
printed board sometimes displayed during a ritual (Degree) of Freemasonry.
Its purpose is to illustrate the symbols that the initiate is informed about
during lectures that succeed the ritual proper, and which in England are
sometimes referred to as the "tracing board lecture".

Bro Mark Dwor (Grand Lodge of British Columbia and yukon website)

Working Tools used in Craft Freemasonry.

The picture above shows a set of ivory Craft working tools, pertaining to
the first three degrees, and their customised case. The case and tools are
the property of Lodge Vasanta. The list of tools includes: 3 gavels & a
pencil, 24" gauge, plumb rule, level, chisel, mallet, skirret, 2 compasses,
and a square.

Below is the Tools used in each of the Three Craft Degree's with an
explanation of their meanings.

A generally accepted definition is "Freemasonry is an organized society of
men, symbolically applying the principles of Operative Masonry and
architecture to the science and art of character building. As an example,
the working tools of the 1st or Entered Apprentice Degree, the 24" gauge
and common gavel. These were used by the operative mason to measure
lengths, widths and heights and to break off the corners of rough stones,
but a speculative Mason is taught to use these to manage his time and to
remove the roughness from his character, thus making him a better person.

The examples and tools may differ, dependant on Grand Lodge, but the overall
message is always the same, self improvement through education and study.
Tracing Boards can be included in that their intent was to emphasise the use
and meaning of symbols through lectures and illustrations, and some of the
originals (John Harris design) the Grand Lodge of England agreed to, are
displayed further down the page, although not a recognised part of ritual
work, their acceptance in 1820 gave them a place in Masonic Education, they
are no longer used in the Irish Constitution.

3rd or Sublime Degree of Master Mason.

The working tools of Master Mason are, the Pencil, Skirrit and Compasses.

The Pencil reminds us that every word and action have been observed and
recorded by the Almighty Architect to whom, at some time, he must give an
account of his actions and conduct through his mortal life.

The Skirrit is an implement that acts as a centre pin from which a line is
unwound. The line is chalked and struck to the ground to mark out the
plans for an intended building,. So the Skirrit reminds us of the straight
and undeviating line of conduct marked out for us.

The Compasses is an implement consisting of two movable legs, hinged
together at one end, used for describing circles, and by the Architect for
measuring figures in preparing his plans, enabling him to give his designs
the just proportions, which will ensure beauty as well as stability to his
work, So in Speculative Masonry, this implement is Symbolic of Virtue.

Ireland do not use Tracing Boards any more, although some originals still
exist, I have a photo of one issued to a Military travelling lodge, which i
may upload in the future.

Bro Harris's designs were used in very nearly every Lodge in England
cementing his place in Masonic History, it was an expensive business
making them as an individual design and Grand Lodge asked a committee
of the emulation lodge of improvement to consider designs which John
Harris amongst others provided, his were the best and he received the
vote of approval, this allowed lodges to buy a mass produced harris
tracing board at a reasonable cost.
The originals presented to the emulation board are in very good
condition today, they are on display every friday evening, in the Grand
Lodge for visitors inspection, when the Emulation Lodge meet.
Prior to this Lodges chalked the design on the floor, and cleaned it when
finished, this was not ideal and depended on the artistic talent of the
Lodge Member nominated, Harris's design was warmly welcomed by him i'm sure!.

You should be aware there are differences in the tools used in Lodges, these
differences are dependant on Grand Lodges, Emulation Lodge of Improvement
or Grand Lodge of Instruction, these apply to the Irish Constitution; you will
notice a few tools are missing, this is not an oversight.