4" double square reccomendation

[Dave Bonde]

I am in the market for a 4" double square and am not sure I want to send the money for a Starrett. Does anyone have one of the lower priced options that you feel is good quality. Dave

[Michael Pfau]

Dave, I have the Veritas from Lee Valley, and love it.

[Clisby Clark]

I've abused it for the last two years, but it's held up well in my tool pouch.

[Kelly Leblond]

I picked up the 4" T last week during sale at Woodcrafters. Being a Starrett fan its with a heavy heart I say it was a "bit of a let down". As much as I wanted it to be great it just was not in the same class as my Starrett 12" combination. I had two issues with it I could not get past. First, when unlocking the thumb wheel the scale would stay locked, had to pull down on the thumb wheel to release it. The other problem even when released from the lock the scale did not slide smoothly. I really wanted to like it, so much so I sat files a couple questionable edges, oiled it and them pro ceded to cycle it a few hundred times while watching some NYW. I had hoped to try a second one but when I returned it they did not have another one to check out.

[Kevin Groenke]

Many of the store branded squares (LV, WC, Rockler) look identical to me. If I were a betting man I would guess they're made by PEC tools. Except for the etched name on the blade, I cannot discern a difference between the double square I got from LV and PEC branded ones I've gotten from McMaster Carr.

PEC
http://www.productsengineering.com/tools/onlinecatalog/squares/doublesq.jpg

WOODCRAFT

http://www.woodcraft.com/images/products/04p56.jpg

ROCKLER
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/37480-03-500.jpg
LEE VALLEY
http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/markmeasure/24n0801g.jpg

All of these squares are just a tic from the quality/feel of a Starrett, Mititouyo, B&S and missing just a bit of cachet. Very serviceable options for a should-have in any craftsman's apron.


My personal favorite is actually a vintage Union. $9.00 at Tried and True Tools. You can also occasionally find vintage squares on the auction site.

All of that said, the Starrett is only another $10-$15, you're only going to need one (though you'll want more) you certainly won't regret having gotten the best. Makes a GREAT gift: used/handled often, reminds the recipient of the giver, blah, blah, blah.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=434
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18433&cookietest=1

[Steve knight]

I had a starret till I lost it. never liked the feel of it. I inlaid the bottom part with wood and it was far nicer. bought a B&S and it is nicer feeling. both work pretty much the same.

[Dave Bonde]

Great information thanks guys. Dave

[Wayne Cannon]

Quality squares have an adjustment nib in the bottom of the track (though I've never needed it on the Starrett). Do the others? I have found that 2/3 to 3/4 of all squares I've purchased (including so-called "machinist squares") have been out of square, as tested using the scribe-flip-scribe method.

[Jim Becker]

I do have the Starrett, but was lucky enough to get it at a Re-Tool store where is was vastly under-priced along with the 12" combo that was in the same lot. I will say, however, that anything with the name "Veritas" on it and originating with Lee Valley has been a pleaser with me!

[Chris Padilla]

That is one thing I love about some brands, you can simply buy it and know it is of good quality and that you are getting your money's worth. LV is like that, Bessey is like that.... :)

[Ellen Benkin]

Check out prices on ebay. That's where I get all my Starretts -- always lower prices than the stores. If that's still too much you can't go wrong with Lee Valley.