I am considering a nice try square as a gift for someone, but don’t know where to look or what to look at.
Years ago I splurged on some Bridge City tools. That was when they were brass and rosewood, and I still enjoy using them. Now Bridge City seems to focus on some futuristic all-metal stuff that is not appealing to me.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
Replies
Starrett for machinists squares. Chris Vesper makes amazing squares, bevels, etc. Just wonderful tools. Blue Spruce makes great stuff.
Those are both great tools!
A 12 inch Starrett combo square. It is my (and many others) most used and most trusted tool. This tool does the work of probably 80% of Woodpeckers’ overpriced specialty tools, and Starrett is the industry standard for accuracy, durability, and reliability.
Go for a 6" square. In most furniture work, I find that where I want to use a really quality measuring/layout tool, it is under 6". My 6" is always on me and I use it more than any other tool. I use a folding rule for long stuff and then refine with a sliding 6" combination square. Also because it is smaller, they are usually a little cheaper so the starret level is more attainable.
It's all personal preference. Eagle America has a great deal on framing squares right now. Once you get the hang of them you'll see what a good tool a framing square can be. I also suggest a bevel square and a miter box for hand sawing angles, and a profile "comb." That's not the official name but I've had mine so long I forget what it's called. I say comb because that's what it looks like. Last, a good ruler.
Where to look - avoid shipping charges, try your local hardware store. Online - Rockler, EagleAmerica, Highland Woodworking, Woodcraft, MLCS Woodworking.
Yes that's a contour or profile gauge, with many little "fingers" that you press onto an odd shape and are then reasonably able to duplicate it. They're inexpensive, but I would recommend the metal ones over the plastic.
The Starrett combo set is really nice but really spendy, although you'll never have to buy another.
One of the little Wixey magnetic angle gauges is pretty peachy for establishing square drill press tables, table saw blades, bandsaw blades and so on. I use mine for those things, among others.
A nice marking gauge or marking knife is a good thing to have (both, actually), especially if your woodworker is hand-cutting dovetails.
I have a small pair of iGaging adjustable squares I really like, and for the price can't be beat. They're on my bench most of the time when marking joinery and the like (along with said marking knife).
I also have the Incra precision T-rule, for which you have to have a 0.5mm mechanical pencil, but it's really handy. I use it for that but I really put it to use when power planing wood to check for thickness.
So many choices!
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