Good source for Starrett?

[John Miliunas]

My good friend, Gene Collison has truly instilled in me the importance of having a couple "reference" tools in one's shop. I just picked up the "certified flat" hunk of granite from Woodcraft the other day and I can really see what he's getting at. Next up, I'd like to get a nice Starrett combo rule. Not sure that I need all the fancy-dancy protractor and centering attachments, but the 90/45* head and a 12" rule is pretty much a "need to have" item. Can anyone out here recommend a vendor with fair prices on one of these? I've looked at a couple of the "typical" places, but I just *know* there are folks out here who have lines on the best deals around!:) Any input is much appreciated!:) :cool:

[Mark Singer]

John,

There you go again...Lee Valley has the combo Starrett and Grizzly too.... I put in a cheap Chinese blade in my Starrett it was much easier to read... The double square is nice too since you have the CC handy...4" little one

[Dar Lounsbury]

www.mansontool.com/starrett.htm seems to have a good selection. They claim 'discount' prices.

Dar

[John Renzetti]

hi John, I like McMaster Carr or JL Industrial as good sources for Starrett plus other top brands.
take care,
John

[Per Swenson]

Hi John,
I use the little 6" for every thing,
my only problem , is I take it on jobs
and I sometimes forget to put it
back in my apron. This can be hard on
the wallet. If you look carefully at the
picture you can see the little legs this
tool has the ability to grow the minute
it is out of sight.
Per

[Steve Roxberg]

The best source I know of is http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc They have them on special right now. They also walk you through the various options, smooth black paint, wrinkle finish, and the various blades.

I didn't know so many variations existed until I visited their site.

[Jim Dunn]

Another company that has quality tools, if they are still making them, is Mitutoyo. I've had good luck with all the machinist quality tools I've bought from them. They aren't "quite" the quality of Starrett but they aren't as expensive either. Just my .02.

[Ellen Benkin]

I've gotten all my Starretts on eBay and I think I've gotten good prices and good tools. I could not live without my 4" double square and the 6" flat rule. The others are icing on the cake.

[Terre Hooks]

I don't think you will go wrong with Lee Valley. I doubt you'll have to buy a Starrett, just their house brand stuff.

[John Foote]

Another company that has quality tools, if they are still making them, is Mitutoyo. I've had good luck with all the machinist quality tools I've bought from them. They aren't "quite" the quality of Starrett but they aren't as expensive either. Just my .02.

I've got a Mitutoyo 12" full set and a Starrett 6". Qualitatively, I don't see any difference at all. They're differently finished takes on the same deal, and both are excellent. Mitutoyo is harder to find, and not all that much cheaper. If you stumble across a Mitutoyo deal, don't hesitate to grab it.

[John Miliunas]

Thanks for all the great leads, folks! Mark, I note that LV doesn't have a whole lot in the way of Starrett and Grizzly doesn't show as having any of the combination rules! Actually, in looking around, it appears that Starrett has some of the best pricing for the combination sets right on their own site! They've got some specials for their 125th anniversary. I didn't see the double square out there, though.

And Per, those must carpenter ants making off with your 6" units! :) Know how you can tell if you have carpenter ants? Simple. Just look for discarded, teeeny, tiny beer cans! :D (Sorry, couldn't resist! AND, no slams intended! A very good carpenter friend of mine is the one who gave me that little tidbit of information!:D ) Thanks again, folks. I think I may take another pass through that un-named online auction site tomorrow and if nothing hits, I'll probably just go straight to Starrett.:) :cool:

[Mike Holbrook]

I have: the 6" LV Adjustable Hook Rule, LV 4" Double Square, 24" LV Cabinetmaker's Rule, LV/Starrett 6' Folding Wooden Rule (with depth gauge) all of which seem to work very well. I have a pretty good collection of less accurate larger construction oriented squares. I expect I will go for a 6" Starrett Square at some point but for now the 4" LV works for joints and the less accurate guys are ok for most other things.

[Michael McDuffie]

If you are looking for sheer quantity, Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dtools%26field-browse%3D228013%26search-type%3Dss%26field-keywords%3Dstarrett%26/qid=1111975715/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4_etk-tools_all/103-6555065-8043059) lists 1560 items. The prices are any where from $3 less than list to maybe $10 less.


Michael

[Kevin Brown]

LV has the same price as Starrett on the 4pc combo set ($142) you might also look for Brown & Sharpe as you can find a decent deal from time to time.

The Best Things (http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/brown_sharpe.htm) usually has the best price but there $18 more since Starrett is running a sale.

I really like the Brown & Sharpe magnetic rule set, doesn't hold very well on wood :rolleyes: but there handy to stick on the machines :)

[Gary Herrmann]

http://www.msi-viking.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=combination+s quare&txtsearchParamCat=5&txtsearchParamType=ALL&iLevel=1&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearchThey've got really good prices.

[Jim Becker]

I lucked out and found my "mint condition" Starrett combo a number of years ago at a Re-Tool store...and at the time, they apparently didn't know how much it was really worth! Got the combo, a protractor hear AND a 6" Starrett adjustable square for $60...

So far, I haven't thought of any sources not already mentioned.

[Byron Trantham]

If you are looking for sheer quantity, Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dtools%26field-browse%3D228013%26search-type%3Dss%26field-keywords%3Dstarrett%26/qid=1111975715/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4_etk-tools_all/103-6555065-8043059) lists 1560 items. The prices are any where from $3 less than list to maybe $10 less.


Michael

And no tax or shipping!

[Robert Ducharme]

If you go to the starrett web site, you can find a local distributor. Call them and ask for the new catalog - 125 years Starrett (758 pages :eek: ). You can see all the versions of the tools and options. There are also explanations identifying what is meant by the terminology. That should provide you with enough information (part numbers, etc) to price these through various vendors.