I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
But for example the Woodcraft-branded combo square with 3 heads
(square, center-finder, protractor) is about $70
(http://tinyurl.com/32rk8). That seems almost reasonable if it's
good'n square, easy to read and use. They've got a much less
substantial-looking no-name one for $25 with all three heads
(http://tinyurl.com/3yxea)
Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
Thanks,
Michael
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:29:09 -0500, Jay Pique <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Yep, that's a good price all right. Someone had a sale on them for
>$61 recently, down from $72 or whatever, but this at $59 and change is
>nice.
Just did an internet search on "C11H-12-4R" which is the version I got
from McFeely's last year. If you can't find one for under $55, you
aren't even trying.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/starrett/combin02.html $52.75
http://store.yahoo.com/squaredrive/ms-2784.html $54.95 (McFeeley's)
Have a ball. You'll love this square.
- -
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
"J.B. Bobbitt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>FWW published a review of combination squares within the last year or so, I
>think.
>
>I just bought myself the Starrett 6" combination for Christmas and I highly
>recommend it. The difference compared to a cheap square is considerable.
>And there's something about the basic quality of the tool; you can "feel" it
>in the heft in hand and the way it feels in use.
>
>Check out prices at The Japan Woodworker (www.japanwoodworker.com); they're
>the best I've seen.
>
>Disclaimer: Not affiliated. Claimer: Satisfied repeat customer.
Yep, that's a good price all right. Someone had a sale on them for
$61 recently, down from $72 or whatever, but this at $59 and change is
nice. I agree that I'd rather spend the $$ on a nice tool that I can
take pride in and will trust. One question though - can you use this
12" rule as a 12" straightedge?
JP
>
>-JBB
>
>"Michael Press" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
>> boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
>>
>> I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
>> reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
>>
>> But for example the Woodcraft-branded combo square with 3 heads
>> (square, center-finder, protractor) is about $70
>> (http://tinyurl.com/32rk8). That seems almost reasonable if it's
>> good'n square, easy to read and use. They've got a much less
>> substantial-looking no-name one for $25 with all three heads
>> (http://tinyurl.com/3yxea)
>>
>> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Michael
>
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 22:29:09 -0500, Jay Pique <[email protected]>
wrote:
>"J.B. Bobbitt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Check out prices at The Japan Woodworker (www.japanwoodworker.com); they're
>>the best I've seen.
>
>Yep, that's a good price all right. Someone had a sale on them for
>$61 recently, down from $72 or whatever, but this at $59 and change is
>nice.
McFeely's had a sale on them for a couple of months about a year ago.
I got mine there for $49. As I recall, in a fit of buyer's remorse
just after I hit the "Buy" button, I looked around the internet and
found that that price wasn't all that unusual. That was a year ago,
mind you...
>One question though - can you use this 12" rule as a 12" straightedge?
Yep. Why not?
- -
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
<< I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
reality. >><BR><BR>
The reality is that the Starrett is a square that stays square, and will be so
30 years from now. Plus the ruler is accurate.
You can get a cheaper one, but don't blame anyone but yourself when the project
you make out of the expensive wood becomes tgrach because you saved a few
bucks.
Look, save some dough, get a Record plane and tune it up instead of a Lie
Nielsen; it will be 80-90 per cent of what you want. Get a contractor's saw,
and go slowly, instead of zipping through 8/4 maple; learn how to sharpen a
hand saw and get a century old Disston. But there are some things you don't
compromise with. Honest, this is a high ticket item you wlll never regret.
BTW, just to let you know, Starrett trues up theri equipment with lasers,
strobes, ultra everything. Everyone else trues up their equipment by holdiing
it next to a Starrett.
FWW published a review of combination squares within the last year or so, I
think.
I just bought myself the Starrett 6" combination for Christmas and I highly
recommend it. The difference compared to a cheap square is considerable.
And there's something about the basic quality of the tool; you can "feel" it
in the heft in hand and the way it feels in use.
Check out prices at The Japan Woodworker (www.japanwoodworker.com); they're
the best I've seen.
Disclaimer: Not affiliated. Claimer: Satisfied repeat customer.
-JBB
"Michael Press" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
> boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
>
> I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
> reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
>
> But for example the Woodcraft-branded combo square with 3 heads
> (square, center-finder, protractor) is about $70
> (http://tinyurl.com/32rk8). That seems almost reasonable if it's
> good'n square, easy to read and use. They've got a much less
> substantial-looking no-name one for $25 with all three heads
> (http://tinyurl.com/3yxea)
>
> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
There are other caveats to the Starrett besides accuracy. It works smooth in
the handle. It never binds. The graduations on the blade are distinct and
very easy to read.
SWMBO gave me mine for Christmas. This year, she gave me the Veritas
shoulder plane. :-)
"Michael Press" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
> boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
>
> I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
> reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
>
> But for example the Woodcraft-branded combo square with 3 heads
> (square, center-finder, protractor) is about $70
> (http://tinyurl.com/32rk8). That seems almost reasonable if it's
> good'n square, easy to read and use. They've got a much less
> substantial-looking no-name one for $25 with all three heads
> (http://tinyurl.com/3yxea)
>
> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
I have an old Stanley that is square.
--
http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
"Michael Press" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
> boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
>
> I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
> reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
>
> But for example the Woodcraft-branded combo square with 3 heads
> (square, center-finder, protractor) is about $70
> (http://tinyurl.com/32rk8). That seems almost reasonable if it's
> good'n square, easy to read and use. They've got a much less
> substantial-looking no-name one for $25 with all three heads
> (http://tinyurl.com/3yxea)
>
> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
Michael Press wrote:
> I've read past discussions in this group, but the threads seemed to
> boil down to the Starrett or you're making parallelograms.
>
> I'm hoping for an alternative that's priced in the same universe as
> reality. Not sure exactly what price that is...
>
> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
With Starrett, you know it is accurate. With other brands you have to ask.
Go to the store and ask the salesman if you can check the accuracy of their
square against the Starrett.
You also have to consider the use. Machine setup or a machinist needs very
high accuracy. Building a shed or picnic table need much less. Most
woodwork falls between the two.
--
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
Nope.
"DarylRos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:20040224205633.02207.00000351@mb-
>Everyone else trues up their equipment by holdiing
> it next to a Starrett.
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:11:58 -0500, Michael Press
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
Forget the 3 heads. I can count on one hand the number of times I've
used the protractor or center finding head in woodworking If you have
a lathe, you can use a plastic center finder that'll be plenty
accurate.
Get a 12" Starrett, Mitutoyo, or Brown & Sharpe combination square.
You can get the Starrett or Mitutoyo for about $65, the B&S will cost
more. For angles other than 90 and 45, use architect's drawing tools,
which are surprisingly accurate for the price. A 30/60 triangle and a
decent protractor can be had for about $15, total, at any office
superstore.
I find a 6" Starrett to be the best day to day, but when you need the
12", you'll need it. If I could only have one it would be a 12". 6
and 4 inch squares make great marking gauges as well!
Barry
Unless it is a Mititoyo, Brown and Sharp, Moore and Wright, ect. If you look
outside Home Depot, there are a number of good ones available.
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:MsR_b.17555
> With Starrett, you know it is accurate. With other brands you have to
ask.
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:30:15 -0600, "Lowell Holmes" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>There are other caveats to the Starrett besides accuracy. It works smooth in
>the handle. It never binds. The graduations on the blade are distinct and
>very easy to read.
I don't think "caveats" was the word you wanted; probably more like
"advantages." But I was thinking along the same line as you. Another
advantage: the nut that you tighten to lock the blade is captive so it
doesn't fall out.
And the blade...omigod, what a pleasure just to look at that thing and
be able to read all the markings. That's a huge feature for these old
eyes.
It definitely has a good feel to it. Sometimes I like to pick it up
and just slide the blade back and forth because it feels so nice.
Oh, and it's square.
The Starrett website http://www.starrett.com/ (click on "Precision
Tools and Gauges", then "Squares", then "Combination Squares with
square head - Series Nos. 11H, 33H") has all of the possible
permutations of their squares listed. It takes a little while to
figure out, but you can get the head in either forged hardened steel
or cast iron. You can get blades either chromed (satin) or not. You
can get 4", 6", 12", 18", or 24" blades (the 4 and 6" are not
interchangable with the others as the head is smaller). You can get
the markings in fractions or decimal or metric. There're probably one
or two I missed.
The most common seems to be a 12" cast head, satin chrome blade,
graduated in fractions. It's designator is C11H-12-4R.
Another good site to look at them is the Museum of Woodworking:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Category_Code=TMT&Screen=CTGY
Worth a visit; the square is definitely worth buying. Don't bother
with the extra heads.
- -
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:00:53 -0800, "CW" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Unless it is a Mititoyo, Brown and Sharp, Moore and Wright, ect.
I sometimes wonder if you are posting in anagrams.
cf "Mitutoyo", "Browne", "etc.".
Thomas J. Watson-Cabinetmaker (ret)
Real Email is: tjwatson1ATcomcastDOTnet
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~tjwatson1
Michael Press
>Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to buy the Woodcraft square
"if" it's square because a square square is square no matter
who made it.
As for others, look for anything with a heavy head and an
engraved blade. Again, a square square is square no matter
who made it.
For additional alternatives search site like MSC (industrial
supplies and tools).
www.mscdirect.com
Or, get up early for the next eleventy billion Saturdays and
hit the garage/rummage sales.
UA100
"DarylRos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> BTW, just to let you know, Starrett trues up theri equipment with lasers,
> strobes, ultra everything. Everyone else trues up their equipment by
holdiing
> it next to a Starrett.
I hold my HF squares up to the corner of the wooden box I made using them.
Perfect match - every time!
OP: Buy the Starrett and move on with your life.
> If I could only have one it would be a 12".
>
> Barry
Funny, swmbo said the same thing once.
Seriously, these Starrett posts always give me a sick feeling in my stomach.
My FIL's neighbor (whom we hang with quite often) retired from toolmaking
(the now defunct Zeulske for you Milw boys), and sold his Starret for five
bucks. "What, you were interested in that old thing?"
Joe
"Joe Tylicki" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> and sold his Starret for five
> bucks. "What, you were interested in that old thing?"
>
> Joe
Most of my FIL's good tools were stolen by an evil in-law (outlaw?) but I
did get his 24" Starrett. Nice, very nice.
Ed
"Michael Press" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Comments on the Woodcraft or suggestions for another brand?
>
I've got one of these, I think. It's been accurate enough, but the markings
are
lightly etched into the surface of the rule, and are sometimes hard to read.
Also, mine got a bit rusty, which makes it even worse
The better ones are actually engraved into the rule, I think.
"Tom Watson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:00:53 -0800, "CW" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Unless it is a Mititoyo, Brown and Sharp, Moore and Wright, ect.
>
>
> I sometimes wonder if you are posting in anagrams.
>
> cf "Mitutoyo", "Browne", "etc.".
He's precise - just not accurate.