buying starrett combination squares
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hi all,
i wish to buy 2 starrett combination squares –
1 – a “large” one – 300 mm
2 – a small one – and here i need an advise – should it be the 2.5″ , 4″ or 6″?
i got a recommendation from 2 school teachers here in Israel that the pocket 2.5″ is a very useful tool and that what they recommend for a small one. it slides everywhere 🙂 (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,42936,42941&p=67743)+ starrett has a cast iron or Forged Steel that is much expensive.. i think of buying the regular cast iron.. ant reson why chose the Forged Steel..
thanks for your comments
14 October 2014 at 3:13 pm #119468I know Starrets are top notch, but right now, I use cheap combination squares that I test to be square on a regular basis. They are steel rule with cheap aluminum square. They have stay true for over a year now.
My point is I think anything thing you get from Starret, cast iron or forged, has be much better and stay true longer than the ones I use.
I use a 12″ and 6″. I am looking to replace mine with better quality later.
Hopefully Starret owners with chime in too.
I have several Home Center squares that were used to build decks, docks, sheds, etc. They are not near true enough for the demands of hand tool work. I invested in a new 12″ Starrett and am so glad I did. It is the reference against which I check other squares. Shortly after getting the Starrett, I came across a Craftsman 6″ square on EBay for less than 5 bucks. The blade looked very much like the expensive Starrett. I thought maybe Starrett private labeled squares for Sear, so I took a chance and bought it. The stock is magnetic so it is either steel or cast iron. It was slightly off so I checked Youtube and came across a video of how to file inside of the slot to true it up. One light swipe with a file and it was true. I find I use it more than the 12″ especially when knifing across the edge of stock. The balance in this situation just suits me. Good luck.
14 October 2014 at 9:13 pm #119519I think the 12″ Starrett is very useful and good, you should get it.
Now, for the 2.5″, a very nice size, the Starrett is overkill. I would get a cheaper one, in aluminium or brass, maybe even an adjustable try square.If I had to boil it down to one or the other I’d get the 12 inch starrett first. I went through 4 squares purchased from home centres before I got tired of them. If you want a really useful small square, look at the little engineers squares Lee Valley sells, they are inexpensive and bang on accurate. The downside is they lack a 45 but that’s what a combo square is for. Yes Starretts are pricey but I would not consider them luxury items by no means. I think a good combination square is probably one the most important items a person should acquire.
15 October 2014 at 12:49 pm #119548Hi
I would certainly recommend buying a Starrett combination square, as long as they are still made to the same standards it will last you a lifetime.
Please see below a post I had posted earlier in the year
(I was looking at my 12″ combination square today, it looks almost brand new I bought it new 50 years ago, I can not remember what I paid for it, as an apprentice you could buy tools through the company and they would stop a small amount out of your weekly pay. I can see no reason why it can not carry on for a lot of years yet, long after I have stopped using it)Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.You can indeed test a square by putting it against a straight edge, drawing a line then flipping the square over and drawing another line. If they coincide, the square is true. An accurate Starrett square can check to see if your straight edge is truly straight. It’s all about stacking tolerances. A little off here, a little off there and before you know it you’ve made firewood.
17 October 2014 at 4:10 am #119620Starrett squares are really nice. I’d recommend getting a 6″ combo square with the center head on it, too. I have one I picked up from an old machinist and I use it all the time. Fits in your pocket. I think having a 6″ and a larger one, like a 12 or an 18″, to be ideal. The Starrett 12″ goes for a bit more than $100 on Amazon. Not bad for a combo square you’ll have for the rest of your life.
from pauls blog – 27 AUGUST 2012 – Buying good tools cheap #2 – The combination square
“I think Starrett combination squares are the very best made. For the quality and engineering standards they tick every box. Price wise they represent good value for money, but they are more expensive at three to five times the price of all others.”
“My general advise on this particular tool is that you buy the best you can. The less expensive ones may not last as long but they must not only last, they must retain”
I currently don’t have a high end square. I too use cheaper ones that I’ve checked for square using the edge method as best I could. But if I were to buy a new high quality 12-inch combo square, I doubt it would be Starrett. I’d get a blemished PEC square from here:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/ProductsEngineering/7131-4R.html
I have a cheap combo square, and a good quality, small engineers square. I use that as a reference for the larger square, as well as for smaller scale work.I will buy a better quality square at some point.
There seems to be a debate about not needing expensive, or high-end tools. I agree that there is a cut-off point, and that line is different for evryone, but having a well-made quality item to use is sometimes preferable. I’m all for using what you can, and still getting the job done, but there is a pleasure in holding a tool that says “Quality”.
I used a “cheap” Empire combination square, stock was some snot-metal (wouldn’t file for more than couple of strokes). It was bang on the buck for the 90, but bit me in the ass on the 45, which was more like 46. Now try doing miters with that.. I tried straightening that by filing (ergo snot metal) and briefly thought about getting machinist to machine that, but in the end Starrett got a customer. Compared to previous, it’s really, really nice to use.
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