Starrett Combination Square

Measure & Mark | 2009-04-05 | 3 Comments

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Multiple purposes in one package … a combination square is used as a rule, 90 degree square (right angles) and 45 degree gauge. As for it’s purpose in the shop, one will be used in virtually every project to measure, mark, and measure again (remember the adage, measure twice, cut once!)

None are built better … these are top notch and as good as it gets (and the price reflects it!). Treated right this is a tool that will out-live you without a doubt.


When I finally took the advice of a woodworking mentor and hunkered down to buy one, I was skeptical at best. Having never owned a Starrett tool, I couldn’t imagine anyone needed a combination square that cost more than $10 — wow, was I wrong.

Hindsight is 2020 and this is one of those moments where I look back and say “of course!”. At first it seems a bit silly to spend so much money on such a simple tool (some may say a ‘hunk of metal’), but in practice the tool is worth the dough. Let me explain …

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A quality, well-made, precise tool is essential to accurately create anything in the shop. Sure one can use the $10 combination square, but there will be times when it’s accuracy (sometimes up to 1/16″ inaccurate) is not exact enough and proves only to offer unnecessary frustration. The Starrett square with it’s etched rule is dead-on accurate and sturdy (no sag or bending) … all of which adds up to better projects and better times in the shop.

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If precision is your thing — or required in what you do — then you should own this tool. While it isn’t needed by everyone (like in construction), it’s a necessity in the furniture-makers wood shop.

Manufactured by Starrett, this combination square retails between $65-$75. Buy one at Amazon (link)

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3 Comments

Tom F

August 20th, 2008

I have a backround in machining where measurments are much finer then in woodworking, and I can say that Starrett is a s good as it gets. I own several Starrett squares and they are a pleasure to use. One of the man differences comes when you turn the thumb wheel to lock the blade in place. On my old $10 square you had to about bring out the pliers to lock the blade from moving. On my Starrett a very slight twist between the fingers and it is nice and snug. The other item I like is the matt no-glare finish on the blade. It makes it very easy to read in all lighting. Starrett is still a “made in America” tool by a familly owned company. It doesn’t get any better then that.

PeteQuad

August 21st, 2008

I hesitating on buying this one at first, but when you think of how often you need a square, you realize how much it is worth spending money for something you can rely on. It is not only super-accurate, it is also built to last, with thicker steel all around than the cheaper brands.

The only thing I would have done differently with this purchase would have been to go all out and get the Starett Combination Set instead. It comes with the the same ruler and combination square, but it also comes with the protractor head and the center head. I bought the protractor head seperately and for the money I could have gotten all three and still spent less if I had bought the package. The protractor is awesome for setting and marking precise angles, and I use it a lot.

Mike Mckee

August 23rd, 2008

One of the 1st tools any woodworker should buy! Just doesn’t get any better than a Starrett

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