Reply To: How square should a square be?
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One item that was not mentioned is that the edge you are registering against, is it flat? If it has a bump in it and you just quickly place the square, you will get inaccurate readings both ways which could account for the error. But, like everyone else, if the edge is flat, I would trash it unless you can lap it and correct it in order to have confidence in it.
I purchased a Starrett combination square. I found the 12″ combination square to be cumbersome especially when marking a knife line/wall on the edge of a board. I would always be putting the wood in a vise. I decided to purchase a 2″ and a 6″ PEC engineer square on eBay. I find myself grabbing those to make knife walls. I would recommend the 6″ along with the combination square for the projects presented so far, but, I decided to spend the $14 for the 2″ which is nice for marking the edges and checking for square. I think the 4″ might be a bit redundant.
Interestingly enough, at the Somerset, NJ wood show, Paul was using his well-used Craftsman combination square.
I have come to think that Paul recommends tools so that the average person can have access to tools in order to be able to work wood. You can spend a lot for a tool, as in the case of Starrett, or spend not as much like Craftsman. The question is “What is good enough?” Maybe, down the road, if my skillset develops to the point where I would be able to recognize the difference in the quality of my work, I would then purchase a Starrett. But, for now, I don’t think it is all that necessary. That is why I purchased the PEC engineer squares. Less expensive, does what I need them to do and I will get use out of them until I “need” Starrett quality.