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 (when I ordered few things from there) and one from Amazon (Kinex). Returned the Kinex (not square) and purchased the Shinwa 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 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 (when I ordered few things from there) and one from Amazon (Kinex). Returned the Kinex (not square) and purchased the Shinwa 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 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://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.p...e-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/pag...34&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/produc...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-D40.../dp/B005W16YSO

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

JKJ