Nick2cd Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I need a new combo square. I don't want to drop $100 on a starrett if there is a comparable alternative? Any that u guys like? Btw, I saw where wood magazine rated the Swanson 12" a great alternative to the starrett but I've actually read poor reviews on them elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Honestly Home Depot sell the Irwin I think it has a blue package. I took my 123 blocks to HD and bought 2 of them and they were both dead on. In fact every one of the ones they had in their inventory were dead on. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick2cd Posted January 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Don, Are you sure you aren't talking about empire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Don, Are you sure you aren't talking about empire? Could be its a cheap looking package. I bought two for my son in law. Both are now a few months old and are still on the money. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Could be its a cheap looking package. I bought two for my son in law. Both are now a few months old and are still on the money. Don +1 I have a 6" and a large one I like the Empires fine, dead on square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I have an Empire from Menards. Dead on and about $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stahlee Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Most of my stuff is Starrett, but my parents bought me a couple Swanson combo squares and they are all dead on. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateswoodworks Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I had several different knockoffs before I bought my Starrett and keeping them square is the problem. The metal they use wears a lot faster causing inaccuracies. The value of a quality square is not just the tool itself, its not having to worry about a whole bunch of cuts being off before you notice, or a glue up being out of square, or all the other frustrations that happen when a tool goes out of square and you don't realize till its too late. For too many years I looked at Starrett as an over priced ripoff, then all the frustrations added up, all the time I spent through the years not to mention all the money I spent buying different squares. All that being said I know Rob Cosman just had in a video that PEC Tools has nice squares, he was referred to them by another woodworker that has experience with them. A 12" is $52 plus change plus they have several different sizes. One other thing if you don't want to shell out the money for a quality square and don't care if its a combo square do a search for Precision Steel Squares at ptreeusa, they only have a 3 pc set but I know I have seen them elsewhere individually for about thirty dollars, they are one piece so they can't go out of square. I think I may get one for my son soon, he is 12 and dropsy so this should be perfect for him. I have had engineering squares in the past but one fall off the bench and they are a paper weight. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I think it really depends on how you work and how often you really use a square. Squares dont cut wood but they are used to adjust your tools. I leave my squares in the fancy protective boxes and use an elcheapo around the shop for transfering marks but really never use it as a square. I cant remember the last time I actually used a square to do anything other than setup a machine. Im sure the hand tool guys may actually use them diaily. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I use my combo squares constantly... Not just for square or 45, but for measuring distance, depth, offset, and thickness, but also marking out, math calculations, and checking pretty much everything I'm working with. It's my square, ruler, straight edge, depth setter, caliper, marking gauge... There are many tools in catalogs that can all be eliminated by a good combo square. I use a 6" most often, followed by a 12" that also has 18 and 24 inch blades. I also have some 4 and 6 inch doubles for when I need more settings maintained. If I couldn't have another Starrett, I'd definitely check out the PEC variants, including the Lee Valley versions. I own the Lee Valley versions, and I've used several other PEC versions, including Wood River, and they're quite nice. If you don't use it a lot, an expensive square is a waste. If you do, you'll appreciate smooth movement, the ability to set and hold settings, etched and engraved markings, and swappable parts every time you use the good tool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 After reading this thread, should the topic be: What's the 2nd Best Combination Square? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMort847 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 FWIW, Harry J. Epstein sells brand new but blemished ( the one I have has the PEC name scratched out in the center of rule) 12" PEC 2pc combination squares for $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 After reading this thread, should the topic be: What's the 2nd Best Combination Square? The best square is one that works for your needs. My favorite is a mdf square ill put it against any starrett any day. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick2cd Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 After reading this thread, should the topic be: What's the 2nd Best Combination Square? Yeah that probably woulda been more appropriate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawrence Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 The second best combo square if you aren't getting a new Starrett is to Buy a used Starrett... I got mine from the 'bay and for a song (and a dance... roughly $30) and some evaporust/scrubbing I was in business. $10 (plus shipping) later I also got a 6 inch used Starrett... I wouldn't trade either of them for 10 of any other combo squares I've used. Plus the patina is pretty sweet... From this... To this... Lawrence 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 One of my combo squares is made by General. I just saw it at Woodcraft for $35. Cast iron head, nice blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick thom Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Check out FWW #212 (Dec 2012) They test, evaluate and recommend 12 and 4" combo squares and explain what to look for when buying. Interestingly they recommend you have both sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick2cd Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Check out FWW #212 (Dec 2012) They test, evaluate and recommend 12 and 4" combo squares and explain what to look for when buying. Interestingly they recommend you have both sizes. Rick, I don't have access to FWW. what did they recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaski Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 They recommend PEC (Products Engineering Corp.), for both the simple (2-piece) 12" combination square, and the 4" double square. I personally have used an age-old 8" combination square and find it to be a good length, but I have little confidence in the square. having come down from my Grandfather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim L. Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I'll second the recommendation for the "blemished" PEC squares at Harry J. Epstein. Go here: http://store.harryepstein.com/c/ProductsEngineering.html I have the 4", 6" and 12" combo squares and they were all dead on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I've got a few squares. Personally I don't think the adjustable squares are good for setting up tools. However I've got a few of those for marking. For setting up tools I use an Empire 122 Aluminum tri square I bought at home depot. I also have the woodpeckers precision triangle, which I use for checking square on smaller cases/boxes. For the price you can't beat the Empire I paid 12 bucks for it and it's dead on. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-True-Blue-Heavy-Duty-Square-122/202035308?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cBase&gclid=CjwKEAjwj9GqBRCRlPram97Xk3ESJADrN7Ie92gxmAsODk-pR6-DnRyzAw5m_gYueirQkkzUTCQ-OhoCCVvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I agree with the empire. I have the 12'' and its dead on....great square Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 About Empire Level: A while ago I bought a 6" and a 12" Empire combo squares from Amazon. The 6 incher was dead on while the 12 incher was not. I contacted Empire's customer service and got no response whatsoever. So I returned it and bought a 12" Starrett, the forged 3 heads combo set. Do I really need it? i don't think so, but I love it. Other experience with Swanson vs Empire: My Swanson 7" rafter square is dead on, while my Empire 12 incher is not (found this out when checking against my Starrett). It's a rafter square anyways, doesn't need to be absolutely square, but still hurts each time I use it. So I don't trust Empire, I won't buy any more products from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 What? Festool doesn't have one for $300. (Sorry. Couldn't resist. Donning flame-retardant garments now ...) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 What? Festool doesn't have one for $300. (Sorry. Couldn't resist. Donning flame-retardant garments now ...) You're forgetting about the crimson red Woodpeckers options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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