I am in the market for a new 6″ combination square. My personal thought is that Starrett is the benchmark to which all others are judged but I am also curious if others have found excellent models (made contemporarily) that they might recommend.
In my quest I visited both box stores today and I was very unimpressed with the machining on what I saw.
I await your thoughts,
Jonathan
Replies
Hi Jonathon,
I think you really answered your own question...but another, usually lesser cost option is Brown & Sharpe. Some places like McMaster-Carr / Enco et al are the cheapest on-line places for the major makers.
Tools for Working Wood is a good source for Starrett--and at 6" you'll find them under Junior Combination Squares.
I probably use my 4" double square far more than the 6" combo.
A lesser cost option is used. Tis a risk, though.
Take care, Mike
You might check out product engineering they were reviewed in FW a while back. I do think the Starretts are the best. My only sugestion would be to go with the forged steel head instead of the cast head if you have a concrete floor. I dropped mine (diecast head) and it cracked a corner of the 45 degree leg. Anyway I think that these are lifetime tools and its worth spending a little more money if at all possible. You might check out e-bay you can save a little buying used on Starrett products.
Troy
I empathize with your motives, but it is hard to beat the Starrett for a life long tool. If I were going to splurge on a tool, this is one I would not compromise.
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Jonathan
I get more use out of a double square than a combination square. I have three Starretts, a 4" and 12" combination and a 6" double. I rarely use the 12" but the little 4" is great for marking joints. The 6" double square is the most useful overall size for me, and the most comfortable to use of the three.
Regards from Perth
Derek
For many woodworker purposes, absolute accuracy is not needed.
I would therefore recommend a combo square or double square with good handling qualities, possibly bought second hand (Starrett, B&S, Mitutoyo etc)
For absolute accuracy, a combination square is not the answer - even the legendary Starrett. If you need "reference accuracy" e.g. for machine setup, buy a proper engineers square.
More accuracy, less cost.
BugBear
Get a Starrett, look on eBay.
I've got both a Starrett and Bridge City Tool 6" combo square. Accuracy-wise I cant tell the difference. But I prefer the BCT one. The rule has retained a brighter finish over time than the Starrett so the contrast with the rule marks is a lot better and much easier to see.
If you build it he will come.
It seems that every project in my shop starts and ends with a Starrett 12” combo square. It really is the standard by which all others are judged. I have thought a lot about a 6” double square to add to the tool cabinet too.
While I agree that Starett is the standard by which others are judged, I also second the notion that you might need all that accuracy.
What you might need is a nice readable scale and accuracy that's "close enough."
Take a look at the (dare I say it) craftsman 6 inch combo square. Nicely machined, etched stainless steel blade graduated in 1/8's and 1/16ths on one side and 1/16ths and 1/32s on the other. IMO 64ths are just a little too hard to read and we're just concerned with whether a part fits not knowing it's measurement to the thousandths!
My machinist's square says it's square!!
Not bad for $15.
Jonathan,
FWW did a review and found the Stanley and other big box products lacking in squareness.
I am somewhat puzzled (dumbfounded!) that some are saying don't worry if they aren't exactly square. I fully understand we are working with wood, etc., but I cannot imagine working with a tool that I am using as a reference for square knowing that it is not square.
Engineer's squares from some place like Woodcraft are square and less expensive.
However, I have a Starrett and a set of engineers squares. They are square and I don't have to worry about the tools. I just have to worry about my skill.
Alan - planesaw
Edited 2/28/2007 3:28 pm ET by Planesaw
"I am somewhat puzzled (dumbfounded!) that some are saying don't worry if they aren't exactly square." Me too. But it may depend on what the square's being used for, specifically. I crave a very precise square for checking milled lumber for squareness. The smallest deviation from 90° can really throw a piece off in some designs (think long, wide frame).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I wasn't really suggesting using any tool that is truly less than square. If my square was out 1/8 over 6 in. I'ld throw it away or talk to the manufactuer.
So it's a question of tolerances and money.
I checked my craftsman against my machinist sq. and found it to be out .003-.004 over the length of the blade. I admit it's hard to measure while holding two squares and feeler gauges-I could really have used a third hand.
So-.003-.004 over 6 in. not bad for $15.
And if I had the starret and dropped it or lost it I'ld curse pretty loud.
You can do well with far less than the best for almost every task in woodworking - but the tools with which you mark and measure should be quality. Buy the Starrett.
First let me thank you all for taking the time to respond to this query.
I suppose that I was remiss in not clarifying my intention in my initial post regarding whether or not to purchase a Starrett. My decision was already made when I asked for your comments; now I just need to find a good price for it.
However among the various types of woodworking I engage in is wooden boat repair and the thought of having a Starrett square getting tossed around the shipyard didn't sit too well with my conscience.
I had an Empire square which did yeoman's work until last week when the locking mechanism became so worn that it did not hold the blade in place. When I went to replace it with a similar price point model, I noticed how poor the machining was on what was out there. Burrs left on the inside edge, etc. Although in this case it had little to do with affecting the accuracy of the tool, it did negatively impact the ease and comfort with which it could be used. So I thought I would throw the question out there and see what came back for responses.
Thanks again to all that responded,
Jonathan
I saw a Swanson the other day at Lowe's that didn't look too bad and was very reasonable. If you are close to a store check it out. I like my Starrett, but I wouldn't take it out of my shop, just for the reasons you cited.
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