Thread: Combination Square

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/pages...=0&tertiary=-1

This is the Bridge City site. I had the pleasure of visiting the factory in Portland, Oregon, USA in June of this year. I doubt that there is an operating theatre anywhere that is cleaner than that place.
If you want a quality square, have a look at what they offer. The prices are USD of course.
Have a look at the planes, and drool.

I've had a 12" Rabone combination square for quite a few years now and it's still fine, I check it before each day's use for square and it still is. It's just the combination square though, no protractor or centre finder. I had a stanley before that, one of the old cast iron ones and it was good too until someone took a liking to it. I also have a 6" combination square which lives in my nail bag, can't remember the brand but it's now out of square so I will need to replace it even though I use it mainly as a gauge. I had another before that, a Fischer (US or Canadian I think, and it was cr@p) made of alloy, both rule and square. Whatever you get make sure the square section is cast iron and the rule is steel with etched markings. Nicest combo square I ever used belonged to a patternmaker mate I worked with, a Japanese Mitutoyo, cast iron and stainless steel.

Mick

Funny you should mention this, as I was actually looking for the same thing myself today! I have ordered a Starrett forged head combo square with 300mm satin chrome rule from Carba Tec, about $195, but without the protractor or centre finder gadget. I have a mate who has one and he swears by it...

Chris

Ditto on the Starrett. I have a 4" combination set (great for joints) and am planning on getting a 12" combination set to replace my Stanley (which is mediocre). Starrett are quality tools.

Starrett are also available in Oz from THe Woodworks Book and Tool co (in Sydney). Website site is http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/

A review of combination squares was in Fine Woodworking , December 2002. Brand winners were Starrett, and Browne & Sharpe. Both pricey - expect to pay about $180 for a two-part combination.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Fantapantz and all who are still looking for a combination square:

I have just received a 4-piece combination square (rule, head, protractor, centre finder) purchased on eBay (USA). Made by Starrett (the best of the best), this would retail in Oz for around $400 (AUD). I got it for $42 (AUD). Good deal, would you say!

Generally these go for around $120-$135 but this one was mislabelled, so few recognised it for what it was. A basic 2-piece Starrett combination square will fetch around $45 ($retails for $160 - $180 in Oz).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Never used ebay. Seems a bit difficult. How do you pay for it? The sight didn't seem to accept credit card when I looked at it.

First off, the items on eBay are usually auctioned (some are sold). Assuming you win the auction, payment may be made in several ways. Money orders, cashiers cheques, Bidpay (you pay them. They send a USA money order to the seller), and most commonly Paypal (which uses credit card payments. They act as a go-between). Some sellers take credit cards directly.

It is all really quite easy once you get used to it.

The best thing to do is observe for a week or two. Most auctions run for 5, 7 or 9 days. There is quite a bit of strategy involved. Some bidders bid throughout the auction, others place one large bid and sit back and wait to see what happens. Frankly, I never bid until the last minute (why alert others that you are interested?), and then bid the maximum I feel acceptable. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.

I'm sure that many others will chip in with their experiences and strategies. Could be interesting.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Blackwoods http://www.blackwoods.com.au/indexbw.asp
have 5 different combination sets listed in their catalogue.
(Blackwoods is owned by bunnings).
If you request "trade price" you will probably get it. I do at Penrith NSW, helpful staff.

It's worth buying a good quality tool with all the attachments.

Glenn

Grue

The point is that the Starrett combination square is VERY expensive in Oz. Look at this http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/detai...53111891824843

Nearly $500!!!

By getting it from the States, especially second-hand on eBay, it is possible to save a packet.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

Just remembered another supplier of tools. McJing at Yagoona NSW. Has a web site http://www.mcjing.com.au/index.htm and will send you a catalogue.

I don't know about the router bits, but I got a vernier height guage from him and the quality was very good.

The combination set is not on his web page but I'm pretty sure he has one. Worth an email

I have a Staret I bought back in the 70's and have since chucked several cheaper ones, they wear out when marking mild steel!

The Starret was always a good indicator of when I needed new glasses. If you can't read the 1/64" you need a new prescription!

Glenn.

Awaiting a quote from blackwoods.
Just tools has a Mitutoyo 180-910 set for $270........... jeeze it's a hard decision.................Lot of money for something that helps you draw a line................

USA...USA.....Stuff the USA.........Stuff Starrett.......Overpaid beer drinking bums.............They remind me too much of me.........

The Verniers I've used from Mitutoyo are top stuff so I don't see why the Combo Set shouldn't be???

Anyone want to convince me one way or the other???

Mitutoyo have a good reputation. As good as Starrett in the eyes of owners.

But $270 is a lot to pay. I figure you could get an excellent condition second hand Starrett on eBay (USA) for $70, including shipping costs to Oz.

Watch here:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...0&BasicSearch=

They go for as little as $20 (USD) for a 2 piece set
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=13876

to $80 (USD) for a 4 piece set http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=42253

Regards

Derek

Derek do us a favor and tell us which currency you're talking about - I keep getting confused :confused:
AUD$270 US$70

Dave

Yeah, it can be confusing when you have both Oz dollars (AUD) and US dollars (USD). If the transaction is in USD I will say so, otherwise it is in AUD.

I paid $42 (AUD) for a second-hand (excellent condition) four-piece Starrett 12" combination square. These sell locally for $500 (AUD). On average you can pick a four-piece up on USA eBay for around $120 AUD (or $80 USD). A two-piece goes for about $60 AUD (or $40 USD).

By the way, I have a review of the Mitutoyo square in a recent Fine Woodworking magazine. Most of the others are also included. Mitutoyo came third, with Starrett a clear first. Avoid Fischer. The Stanley was good value for its price.

Regards from Perth

Derek