Thanks everyone for all of the help. It is a difficult decision, not knowing how they work. To ensure your measurement is right, proper marking on the square is important. No problem with fading on any of the other twenty or so items. With the head set at one end of the ruler, place the tool against the edge of the board as if checking for square. The retaining nut for the blade is sprung, so it prevents the blade from falling out even when loosened. Starrett along with Brown and Sharp make fine combination squares but can loose accuracy when dropped. The Woodpeckers 6" aluminum square is $75.00. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Use the bubble level to check alignment when installing doorframes or building partition walls, for example. The head is die-cast zinc with a chip-resistant finish. In the end, the decision is up to you as different people have different expectations and priorities from their carpentry square. $118.99 $139.99. I wouldn't trade either of them for 10 of any other combo squares I've used. Buyers Guide How to Choose the Best Woodworking Square, Factors to Consider When Buying a Woodworking Square, Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Square 1281R, Starrett K53-14-N Stainless Steel Try Square, 10 Coldest Cities in the US & What You Need To Know in 2023. At the same time, long blades will be difficult to use in tight, hard to reach places. With the exception of the anodizing on a couple of the large items fading. I cant remember the last time I actually used a square to do anything other than setup a machine. Woodpecker 12 Precision Square $120 (aluminum, precision calculated) Well below these, in the $20 $50 range, are models from Irwin and iGaging, both also well-respected for precision and accuracy. Woodpecker and Starrett are both respected for the quality of their tools. There are several different types of woodworking squares. However, given the variety of tools available and the various uses for them, a number of questions may remain. Our only gripe with this model is that it sometimes comes under-machined. This feature comes in especially handy when you need to duplicate a mark or measurement on projects like installing drawer slides, or creating a perpendicular line along the edge of multiple workpieces. The head is die-cast zinc, which has been CNC machined to create markings on 45- and 90-degree surfaces. 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. Woodpecker offers what it calls OneTime Tool opportunities where a specific tool, not a part of its regular tool product line, is offered for a limited time at a fixed price. My Starett tools hold up very well to daily use and i have never had any issues. So, without further ado, lets begin. Where the Woodpeckers Precision Aluminum Square boasts an accuracy better than .001, this Starrett square claims an accuracy to .0001 to every 6. In terms of longevity, both should last for years. Thats why, if you want a square thatll withstand the abuse of your woodworking projects and serve you for a long time, considering the material is a must. On the other hand, Woodpecker squares dont have those variations, and they only have the base variant to offer. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It is NOT a measuring device. In the overall scheme of things in the woodworking shop, the accuracy of those two measurements before the single cut can make the difference between a good project outcome and a great one. The 12-inch combination square from Johnson Level & Tool is designed for basic marking and measuring. Though Aluminum is durable enough, the steel build of Starrett squares should provide you with an extra layer of durability. So I returned it and bought a 12" Starrett, the forged 3 heads combo set. To reduce the risk of serious injury and/or damage to your Festool product, always read, understand and follow all warnings and instructions in your Festool product's Instruction Manual. However, this model suffers from quality control concerns. Woodpecker and Starrett are both respected for the quality of their tools. Numerous models are available, which can make choosing the single best combination square a challenge. Though very durable, stainless steel has slightly less strength and resists corrosion. It also comes with good overall material quality. WebStarrett High-Accuracy Combination Squares. Dixie Home Carpet and Shaw are two popular carpet brands that offer high-quality products. Well below these, in the $20 $50 range, are models from Irwin and iGaging, both also well-respected for precision and accuracy. With scales of 1/8 inch and 1/16 inch on one side and 1 millimeter on the other, the easy-to-read TICOFTECH blade is adequate for most home woodworkers or DIYers. Your link has been automatically embedded. Although they certainly have a number of tools I'd really like to have if they were available in metric. Do I really need it? The sharp point seems to dig into the wood grain, and its quite difficult to create a clear, straight line. bc6619 6 mo. However, Shaw offers more varieties in their product range than Dixie Home Carpet. While the 4R marking system is popular on precision combination tools, many DIY users dont need the ability to measure and mark to 1/64-inch accuracy. The IRWIN Tools Tri So, did you find this article useful? Square isnt determined by pins, rivets, screws or spot-welds like it is in virtually every other square on the market. You would be a lot more careful with the Starrett, than the Irwin and for good reason. Of the Woodpecker tools I own, I probably use the SS 642 square the most. For the price you can't beat the Empire I paid 12 bucks for it and it's dead on. You may think that you know everything there is to know about woodworking squares, but if youre looking to go pro or want the best model on the market today, you may be surprised at what you find. In a combination square, size generally relates to the length of the ruler section, which is called the blade. Blades can run from 4 inches on the smallest models to 24 inches on the largest. Hardened steel, and built to last, Starrett has the reputation of being life-long tools in a woodworking shop. A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Im sure the hand tool guys may actually use them diaily. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases. The head is sturdy die-cast zinc with a bubble level and scriber included. I've always considered the gradations on any square to be there for rough framing only. But that being said squares/rules are always useful and there's a useful offering from Woodpeckers for any gift budget. So, despite being one of the most expensive carpentry squares out there, Starrett is worth every penny due to its accuracy. Here, both Starrett and Woodpecker are premium tool brands, and the price is noticeably higher than others. I personally use my Paolini pocket rule daily. Current systainer to productivity ratio: very high. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. There are many tools in catalogs that can all be eliminated by a good combo square. To add versatility to your toolbox, you might want to check that out. On the line, use a hand saw to get rid of the excess material. Were especially big fans of plastic speed squaresas opposed to metalsince theyre lighter and have much lower chances of denting or marring your workpiece if accidentally dropped. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. It features both metric and standard measurements, too one on either side of the blade making it more versatile when using it as a simple measuring tool. The blade, made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, uses the 4R marking system, laser etched to allow for the close tolerances necessary for accurate measurements. This rustproof stainless steel blade offers clear etched divisions at 1/8 inch, 1/16 inch, and 1/32 inch. You can post now and register later. Much of which has been in use for ten years or so. Graduations use 4R scales. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Dead on and about $20. The 12-inch Mr. If you know youll be working with oversized workpieces, you might want to consider a 16- or 24-inch model. Compare. WebThe Starrett combination square has a reputation for being the best on the market and delivering highly accurate results this model lives up to that impressive reputation. Interestingly they recommend you have both sizes. Using the piece of cherry wood, grab your straight edge and razorblade. HeyRalph is here! Both manufacturers claim that their squares have an accuracy of . Depending on the work as everyone else said. 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. The head is made of heavy-duty cast iron, and thanks to a wrinkled finish, makes it comfortable to maintain a sturdy grip while you work. Both brands have a variety of carpentry squares, and you can choose one according to your choice. A scriber and bubble level are included. The following guide delves into their specifications and should make selecting the right tool easier. Moreover, most squares also include a simple bubble level. Select a woodworking square length that best suits your intended purposes. A scriber sits alongside it. Manufacturing Even with the best materials and engineering behind, brands often fail to Congratulations on your friend's upcoming retirement, and for having you as a friend! And Are They Different? The pessimist says "the glass is half empty". I have had engineering squares in the past but one fall off the bench and they are a paper weight. The engineer says "the glass is twice as big as it needs to be". However, woodworkers also hold the accuracy and precision of Woodpecker tools in very high regard and believe that offsets the shorter life expectancy. Quantity. If either one is off 1/32", it should be obvious though. I think it really depends on how you work and how often you really use a square. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of your skill level, a combination square is an essential piece of a woodworker's toolkit. We believe Woodpecker claims of accuracy, and the build of each of our Woodpecker measuring tools is solid and durable. Precision in measurement lines is another. It does so after carefully milling it in multiple high RPM passes on those state-of-the-art CNC machine tools. For setting up tools I use an Empire 122 Aluminum tri square I bought at home depot. Other models include 10R blades, which are marked in 1/10-inch divisions, metric models, and inch/metric combinations. The WORKPRO combination square features a stainless steel blade that offers etch-marked 1/32-inch and 1-millimeter divisions. Copyright 2023 House Grail. You do get what you pay for, and in this case, we are getting what we wanted, and are glad to have them. They recommend PEC (Products Engineering Corp.), for both the simple (2-piece) 12" combination square, and the 4" double square. The content contained on this site is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Along with the blade and standard head, a center finder head makes it easy to find the middle of round or cylindrical objects. Required fields are marked *. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Also consider the divisions on the blade. It is also made of hardened steel, manufactured to last forever, vs. the aluminum (anodized) of the Woodpecker model. Work slowly and check it frequently until the issue is resolved. Fr unsist das Beste gerade gut genug! Use a combination square for a wide range of measuring and marking tasks, both in the workshop or on the job site. If I couldn't have another Starrett, I'd definitely check out the PEC variants, including the Lee Valley versions. However, you can also quickly check by measuring a wood block with a straight edge. If youre a first-time woodworker, or looking to expand your existing toolkit, you might also consider purchasing a kit that comes with a speed square as well. A scriber can make clear marks on sheet metal, but not on wood. The low price of this kit is another reason we included it, and could be a smart grab if you just want a compact square to back up a larger model. In the case of Starrett, its high manufacturing standards are enhanced by the materials Its also 12 inches long, so its one of the largest as well. It appears to be relatively new, not vintage, with a forged steel head. These will last longer than printed markings and will be generally impossible to rub off, so youll always be able to make precise markings with this tool. Powered by Invision Community, http://store.harryepstein.com/c/ProductsEngineering.html, There are no registered users currently online. If you need to check, measure, or create a range of angle measurements, this comprehensive set could be just what youre looking for. These adjustable squares come with steel frames. The versatility offered by a combination square is one of its main attractions. The 1282 stainless might be the single most-used tool in my shop, not just because of its accuracy, but because the indexed marking notches make it very easy to scribe precise offset lines.

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