If you were a square

[Betsy Yocum]

What type would you be?

Since I've gotten into making boxes and other asundry small things I've grown very attached to my squares and set up blocks. I've upgraded from the old box store combo squares - that really weren't square at all - to the incra 45 and 90 degree squares and to a Sterrit (sp?) combo square.

I'm interested to see what other brands, etc. folks use to see if there are other squares, set up tools, etc. I should consider for my arsenal.

Thanks
Betsy

[Chris Padilla]

Starrett is the brand you are thinking of. :) I have a 36" precision straight-edge from them. Guaranteed to 0.0002" (yes, that is 0.2 mil or nearly 1 micron) per foot. :)

Incra is good but I already ponied up some dollars a while back for some India manufactured "engineering" or "setup" squares that do just fine. However, I pay a bit more for some of the Stanley's I have laying around...including a 15" combo.

[Denny Lawson]

I don't have any expensive ones, but what I have is square (i think)

I have several plastic drafting squares (triangles), a couple of old stanley combo squares, a couple of framing squares, and my trusty speed square:D

I'd like to get a set of engineer squares, just because they are cool:cool:

Denny:D

[Steve Clardy]

Nothing fancy here. A framers square, a smaller version of a framers square, and 4 combo squares.
I had an old hardware salesman show me a trick once while I was looking over a rack of twelve or so framing squares, wondering which one would actually be close to square. We went through the whole stack of them, taking two at a time and matching them up. Out of that twelve or so, only three would match each other.

[Dave Brandt]

My better half has treated me to Bridge City Tools over several Christmases and birthdays! They're beautifully made and very accurate (and guaranteed)! They are pricey though. :eek:

[Michael Stafford]

I have a variety of squares but most often on my boxes I just measure diagonals to nearest millimeter.

Ahem, Chris, how do you know it is that straight? And more importantly why do you care? Lordy, I don't have anything that straight and nothing I build will ever be that straight... :o

Sounds like a little on the OCD side. You know Shelley Bolster? :p

[Sam Chambers]

Betsy:

I have a 12" Starrett combo square that I use all the time. I have a cheap-o 12" Stanley that I use outside and laon to friends, since I won't be heartbroken if it gets lost, stolen or ruined. For machine setups, and situations that call for a smaller square, I use a 4" engineer's square that I bought at Highland Hardware.

[Steve Jenkins]

At our BBQ a couple people found my "mother of all squares". It is a mitutoyu that is one meter on the long leg and weighs about 65 lbs. The certification form says 25 micro meters. NOt sure how much that is but it's pretty small.
Steve

[Ken Salisbury]

The one thing I have never been accused of is being a square.

http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/stroll.gif

Since my earlier years (before most of you were born:)), as an apprentice machinist, I have relied on Starrett squares.

[Steve Beadle]

I AM a square--a very round square. :)
I have lots of different squares for different uses. Big and little framing squares, combination squares, big and little engineer's squares, a folding 45/90 square, saddle square, an old Stanley try square (it's not too accurate, and I haven't decided whether to true it up, but I like using it where not much accuracy is needed), and some T-squares, including a 48" one for marking sheet goods for rough-cutting. I also eat three squares a day--that's how I got so round.

[John R Lucas]

Betsy, I have a beautiful display on the pegboard of "all-most squares." They all look good including the Bridge one...which was always suspect. It allowed you to adjust the square. I always thought that sort of defeated the whole purpose. I have been using the two Incra squares (90 and 45) and they are great but sometimes get under other stuff and are hard to find.
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/dts-in8.jpg

[George Summers]

I have the usual assortment of framing squares (big and small), speed squares (big and small), combination squares (big and small). drafting squares for machine set up, and a cheap set of Harbor Freight engineers squares (four sizes, 2" through 6", for about $12 if I remember correctly). I find myself reaching for the engineers squares most often, for boxes, for right angle glue-ups, for checking fence squaring etc etc. As close as I can (or need to) check them, they are dead on. The next time I order from HF, I will order another set.

George

[Chris Padilla]

Ahem, Chris, how do you know it is that straight? And more importantly why do you care? Lordy, I don't have anything that straight and nothing I build will ever be that straight... :o

Starrett guarantees it...I hafta trust them I guess. :)

It is quite important for good setup of machines: TS, J/P, etc. I think everyone needs a quality straight-edge to tune their toys.

So, think a tad out of the box...it isn't for the wood...it is for the wood shredders! :)

[Steve Stube]

Chris, is that what is meant by a "double standard"?

Machines to a tenth of a mill and framing to a stones throw.

[Alan Turner]

I have a 12" 3 head Starrett, but most often use a Starret 4" double square. I also have a 4" Bridge City square, and a 36" Starret straight edge, beveled and graduated, which I protect with my life. I built a holder for it on the inside rail of my bench, so nothing can fall on it, and it cannot fall. I didn't pay al lot for it, but the current retail is $267, which is way over the top. I also use both a bridge city,and a LV, saddle square for taking a line around a corner, and both are used heavily. The LV needs to be on a 90 deg. corner; the BC is hinged. Wish there were stainless instead of alum. and brass, which is too soft.
I can't imagine working without a square square.
Alan

[Jack Young]

I haven't accumulated much I don't use regularly. My favorites are the Starrett 12" (with 45 degree also), a small engineer's square, a framing square and a Veritas corner square to trace a line around an edge. I don't know enough to sense what else I might need, possibly excepting the Starrett 36 incher already mentioned.

But they are each square enough. I know that by a fairly simple test. Take a straight edge and use the square to draw a perpindicular line from it onto some surface. Then turn the square over and, from the same starting point, redraw the line. If the lines are identical and don't diverge along the way, the square is passably right-on.

Jack

[Ken Garlock]

My accurate measuring tools include:

Craftsman knock-around 12" combination square for dropping on the floor(oops) and tossing on the bench.

Starrett 24" combination square with 3 heads.

Set of 3 Wood Craft try-squares in a wooden box.

Starrett 36" straight edge. (I made a velvet lined ash carrying case to protect it from everything but me....)

Dial read-out bevel protractor.

Digital micrometer.

Set of many many (don't remember how many) gauge blocks in plastic case.

Yes, you only asked for squares, but I tend to get carried away. :)

[Lou Morrissette]

I have a Starrett combination square, a set of engineering squares for machine set up, various framing squares, a few speed squares for carpentry and a 40" straight edge I bought from Lee Valley. That is a great straight edge for the money BTW.

[Robert E Lee]

I vote for the Harbor Freight Engineering squares 2" through 6" Right on the money.
Bob

[Dan Mages]

I have 3 Stanley 12" combo squares, a framing square, a speed square, a roofing square, and a nice fixed one (I dont remember the manufacturer). The combo squares are accurate enough for me. I went to my local woodworker store to get something very accurate to set up my jointer and the guy told me to just use my combo square. It is accurate enough for my needs.

Dan

[Jim Becker]

Starretts for me, too. I have the 12" combo (that I discovered in nearly-new condition for a "song" at a used tool store a few years ago) and a 6" adjustable that happened to come with it. I also have a small 3" 90º fixed try-square that I got from Lee Valley that is very handy for tool setup, etc. These squares have never failed me. One of the real differences between the "good ones" and those that are less worthy is the crisp, clear etching on the rules.

[Brian Hale]

Mine are the economy set of machinist squares from MSC that i bought several years ago. I actually have 2 sets, one for work and one for the wood shop. Also, the economy combo head with 12", 24" and 36" etched rules.

What is amazing is i've checked all these out on the CNC CMM at work and the worst reading i got was .0024 at the end of the 36" rule/head combo. The set of machinist squares was amazingly square at .0006" at 8". My Starrett 4" double square which gets used the most is .0013" at 4".

All these tolerances are much much better than you'll need for layout and machine setup. In my opinion, save your money and stay away from the higher priced Starrett , Brown and Sharp etc. You won't realize the accuracy your spending money on.

Brian :)

[Betsy Yocum]

Sure seems like the Staretts are popular - as are a whole lot of others!

I guess it all comes down to personal preference on tools.

Thanks for sharing all.

Betsy

[Scott Parks]

My dad is a machinist, and I have an assortment of aluminum blocks that he CNC machined. A triangle, a square and a rectangle, etc. They are crude, but perfectly square and very handy. I use them for setting miter jigs, glue ups, table saw blade, etc.

[Frank Pellow]

Without a doubt my favourite is my father's framing square. It is at least 75 years old and I am qutie sure that the square is square. Moreover, when I was about 10 years old, Dad taught me how to measure rafters using that same square

[Dennis Peacock]

Incra Square....45°
Three machinist squares from LV
Some framing squares that are FAR from square

All else in my shop is round....including me.!!! :rolleyes: :D

[Carole Valentine]

I have a variety of engineers squares (2", 4" and 6"), a Starrett combination square and a LV straight edge. BUT...the one little square I keep in my apron and seem to use constantly is my Veritas Saddle Square...very inexpensive, VERY useful. I use it so often and am so afraid of losing it that I am thinking about getting a spare (along with the Veritas Dovetail Saddles.) My Starrett is also near and dear to my heart!

[Kelly C. Hanna]

I have three speed squares that are close enough for government work, but I can see a day when I will need what you have.

[Dave Wright #2]

I have a Starrett 12" combination square but rarely use it. My most heavily used square is a 4" Starrett double square. It slips into the apron easily. The double square format is more versatile for 90 degree layout than a 90/45 head, and comes to the work more easily. Works well enough as a depth or height gauge. I have a 6" double square too, but don't use it as much as the 4". Note that these tools, and combination squares, can go off angle with wear or dust between the head groove and the bar. Check them against a reliable fixed square every now and then.

About a year ago I got a 6" Nobex square. Great tool. I use it almost as much as the 4" double square. The Nobex, for those who may not know, has an aluminum extrusion handle, a pivoting stainless steel graduated blade, and a unique ball detent that stops the blade with authority at 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 degrees. There's nothing to rust, so the square does well in my humid shop environment. Its angles appear to be spot on every time. Snapping it to 0 degrees folds it for easy toolbox or shop apron storage. I might add the Nobex 10" or 14" squares to my tool set.