Woodworking square to check work - Suggestions?

[laura vianello]

I am looking for a square that is "square". I purchased 2, a very small one from Axminster (https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-precision-hardwood-square-s-with-metric-rule-ax965996) (when I ordered few things from there) and one from Amazon (Kinex). Returned the Kinex (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073YGG726/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (not square) and purchased the Shinwa (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NEA8SF2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from AMZ again. The Axminster and the Shinwa do not square in the inside. I tried the straight edge and perpendicular to the straight edge and then flip exercise and it looks like the Shinwa is off. The Axminster is only 3.5" so the error might be so small that I cannot even see it when I do the same exercise. So back to square one...Beside the Starrett (which I have no money for) is there any other decent square (BS 939 Grade B should be enough) to check my squareness. I saw old post on this topic but what was good years ago might be awful now because of saving money in Quality Control and increase of outsourcing. Thanks

[Dustin Bullard]

I'm pretty happy with this set from amazon: Kaufhof ASS-5535 Precision Steel Squares Set 4 Piece (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GKCK3Q) its ~$45 and it has been great for all of my projects. They are all dead square from my examinations but were looking at squares that are < 6" long what kind of accuracy are you expecting?

Something else to look into would be 1-2-3 blocks which are very square and can be had cheaply.

If you are looking for something that is absolutely precise then you may be barking up the wrong tree, especially considering that wood moves...

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I am looking for a square that is "square". I purchased 2, a very small one from Axminster (https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-precision-hardwood-square-s-with-metric-rule-ax965996) (when I ordered few things from there) and one from Amazon (Kinex). Returned the Kinex (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073YGG726/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (not square) and purchased the Shinwa (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NEA8SF2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from AMZ again. The Axminster and the Shinwa do not square in the inside.
[...]


Try to square your square. There are resources in the internet showing how to true different types of squares. You can try this video (https://youtu.be/FNpAQHrNpNU) as an introduction on the subject.

All the best,

[John K Jordan]

I am looking for a square that is "square".

I use a set of machinist squares with my milling machine and for wood, four sizes in a set. They don't have graduations if you need that. Those I got check dead-on with my Starrett squares. I got them from Little Machine Shop.

JKJ

[Peter Kelly]

https://youtu.be/vLTL_fOEkRs

https://www.woodpeck.com/641851.html

Available in a variety of sizes. Very square.

[ray grundhoefer]

i also say go to woodpeckers. i am very pleased with the things i have gotten from them. not cheap but very well made.

[laura vianello]

Osvaldo, mine are machinist or precision squares (if look in the links I posted). I do not think they can be "easily" squared like in the video. Thanks anyway

[laura vianello]

Hello John, I have never seen this shop. Which exactly did you get? The 2 I bought from AMZ did not have graduation. I only need square to check my 90 cut and align fences. Thanks

[laura vianello]

I know ...Woodpeckers squares are good but after a TS55 and, a sys and a Parf Guide...I am a little short of money. I will wait when they go on sale...Usually once a year a get notified....hopefully soon .... Thanks for helping!!!

[Michael Wildt]

Hi Laura, hope you're doing well. Sounds like your projects are evolving, great! Last we talked it was Baltic birch ;-)

Woodpeckers are great as are the Incra square. That said, you should be able to find a rafter square at a home center that is better than what you have, or a drafting square. I do suggest you check the square in the store. Lots of suggestions on how to do that on the web.

[Matt Day]

If I really need square I use my Starrett 6” machinist square which is dead nuts. I also have a Woodpecker 12” i use for larger stuff.

[Greg R Bradley]

The smaller WP squares linked above are great and I do own them BUT they are one-time tools and you will wait. I think their generally available 1281 is THE most useful. Buy it from carbideprocessors with their sawmillcreek.org discount and it won't hurt too bad. Watch the video on the WP units above and be careful to understand the advantages of the cheeks and the wide base for woodworking operations.


Other Very useful small squares are a PEC second from Harry Epstein at https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/6-double-square-16r-usa.html

Regular machinist combo squares are used for some woodworking functions but are a big fail compared to woodworking specialist tools like the WP line. These small double squares are useful for both and a incredible killer deal. I would take these at $17.50 as seconds over an $80 Starratt even if I do have a mild preference for the fact that Starratt make their 6" on a larger scale where PEC makes their 4" and 6" differ in only the rule length. This is assuming that you are using imperial measuring system as they are built on .5", 1" measurements.

[Peter Kelly]

http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=64334&cat=1,43513
$29, quite reasonably square for the price.

You might also try locally searching CL using the term(s) "Machinist Tools", "Starrett", "Brown and Sharpe" and see what turns up.

[Peter Kelly]

The PEC ones from Harry Epstein are great too. Very reasonably priced.

[John K Jordan]

Hello John, I have never seen this shop. Which exactly did you get? The 2 I bought from AMZ did not have graduation. I only need square to check my 90 cut and align fences. Thanks

I think I got this set: https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2742&category=

The specs are good. Better still, the people there are good do deal with! Any problems?, no problem.

Amazon also has a number of sets, some with the same specs: https://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-D4089-Machinist-Square-4-Piece/dp/B005W16YSO

I use these to set up fences and jigs and check my bandsaw and disk/belt sander tables.

JKJ

[John Lanciani]

I have a few of these from Lee Valley, not too expensive and they all arrived square; http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32599&cat=1,42936,42941

[Ben Zara]

Incra does the job fine. https://www.amazon.com/GSQR7-Guaranteed-Square-7-Inch-Precision/dp/B0000639X2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525168226&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=incra%2Bsquare&dpPl=1&dpID=31D158Q25QL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

[Rod Sheridan]

I use these from Lee Valley.

Note that the link is for the Canadian site, the US site will have the same squares at a different price.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32601&cat=1,42936,42941&ap=1

Regards, Rod.

[michael langman]

Go on ebay and look up Kinex Blemished machinist squares. Taylor tools sell them and they are guaranteed in accuracy. Very good prices.

[Bill Dufour]

Used Lufkin and Brown & Sharp are under priced on the used market.
Bil lD.

[laura vianello]

thanks to all lf you for the suggestions. :)

[William Young]

For reference purposes, don't overlook plastic drafting triangles. The better ones are very accurate and not expensive. Try Ebay. Also, you can drop them 100 times a day without breaking or bending them. :)

[Metod Alif]

Few swipes with a stone will make them as square as you want. Use a magnifying glass for checking, if desired. Large (carpenters) squares can be helped by peening (either the inside or the outside corner).
Best wishes,
Metod

[kent wardecke]

don't overlook the old and vintage squares from Stanley etc. It's true they made things with a higher degree of quality back in the day

[Steve Demuth]

Regular machinist combo squares are used for some woodworking functions but are a big fail compared to woodworking specialist tools like the WP line.

I find it interesting how different folks react to tools differently. My Starrett machinists square is one of the 2 or 3 most frequently used tools in my shop - pretty much the first thing I reach for for squaring, center finding, and a lot of measuring and scrribing. I wouldn't be without it. Meanwhile, my WP squares don't get 1/10 the use the Starrett does.

[Mike Cutler]

Laura
Have you used it to set up a machine, or cut? That's where the proof is.
The check with a straight edge is a good gross indication, but it's not definitive. There are more accurate ways to gauge square.
For the square to be square to one side, but not the other is very odd. This means that the blade is not parallel along it's edges. That's very odd. A cheap big box store framing square I can see it, but to machine two edges parallel is not very difficult.
I have a number of squares in the shop, but this one, from Brian Lamb here on the forum, is my reference for all other squares;

http://www.lambtoolworks.com/products.html

It's quite a bit more than you want to invest at this time. As a future investment, it's definitely worth keeping mind.

[Brian Holcombe]

Matsui measure or Chris Vesper.

[laura vianello]

I was lucky enough to get a good Starrett from ebay. It is very good and it was $34. I also purchased an only Stanley but it is quite off. As off as the new little one I purchased at the beginning. I might try to file it with a stone. I will open a new thread to talk about stones. I got also 2 fabulous planes that I need to sharpen. Thanks a lot for all comments

[Osvaldo Cristo]

I have Starrett squares... but the less expensive ones although all metal built. I am plenty satisfied.

I have also some old Brazilian all metal squares. Probably 30 years old or more. They are also precise.

My father made one (very hard) wood square more than 40 years ago. It is reinforced by some brass screws. 750mm long... and after some abuse, for my surprise its difference is minimal... less than 0.5mm from right square at the tip of 8 tip of the brace.

I only had problems with a few Chinese squares I trashed when they did not fit minimum requirements for a square... probably in China "square" means something around 88°...

[William Hodge]

A Starrett 6" combination square is $76., direct from Starrett's. http://www.starrett.com/home

These squares are made in Athol, Massachusetts. I live near the factory, and know people that work there.

[Greg Hines, MD]

I would agree. I have numerous Woodpeckers tools, including a 631 Try Square, as well as their carpenters square, and they are very robust and always come in perfectly square.

Doc

[Joseph Quattro]

I have the Incra 7” guaranteed square that I bought a while ago, not sure if the WP version was available when I got it. I think they are the same price. I honestly use my Incra more often to check my other squares, especially the PECs, that I find more useful for setting up machines (their 4” double square most often).