Thread: Looking for a square that's actually square

Originally Posted by derekcohen

This was mentioned before. But here goes again - how to check squareness in a square ..

1. Tape a piece of blank paper flush against a straight table edge.

2. Place the square against this and draw a vertical line using the square.

3. Flip the square over and draw another line about 1mm from the first.

If the lines are parallel, then the square is set at 90 degrees. If not, work on it!

Regards from Perth

Derek

I sent this tip to a WW mag a few years ago but it wasn't good enough to be published.

Originally Posted by Wongo

I sent this tip to a WW mag a few years ago but it wasn't good enough to be published.

Maybe because Derek beat you to it. And 679 other blokes.

Of course.

My old man showed me that technique when I was about ten

I thought I was clever

Originally Posted by Big Shed

You're right, a very versatile tool! I ordered 2 straight after I received their email offer and was lucky to get them both. Gave one away as a gift. I don't think I will use it on the table saw, have the Wixey Digital Angle Gauge for that (told you I was a gadget man). I also have a digital spirit level that I have had for years and use all the time. One of the first digital gadgets I have ever seen. That also tells you what angle/slope is on something but too big to use for the smaller stuff, more for building purposes and it got used a lot when I was building my house. Great for setting up falls on roofs and pergolas and the like.

Hi Big Shed,

I did get a response to my email. They had a hunt around and found a few. They didn't say whether they would get more stock though. I think if anyone is quick they might be able to snaggle one. I had a quick look for similar products. The Denali one on Amazon had three user reports rubbishing it and it's more expensive. I don't think you could get a better price if the thing is good quality. I had trouble with the Lee Valley Fax number (need to fax becuase the item is no longer vailable on the web). I sent a PDF of my fax order. That worked fine. Customer service was extremely responsive.

I hope someone else gets lucky.

Steve

here's a review of the Starret and Empire head2head
Cheers
Michael
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/398

That is a TERRIBLE review! I read it before but was being polite when I just ignored it and read something else.

The author only looks at whether the squares are ... well .. equally square and that their level bubbles line up ... and then concludes that, since they do the same thing, therefore the Empire is equal to the Starrett. Why pay the extra?

With this thinking, all planes are the same, all chisels are the same, all tablesaws are the same, all routers are the same ....

Ignored is the construction of the two - materials used, construction, and finish. Ignored is how they work in practice - which is easier to adjust, and how they feel in the hand. Does one want you to use it more than the other? I could go on.

I have a Starrett (I have 4). I have the Empire (purchased before I knew better). There is a WORLD of difference between them: try a Starrett and feel it glide silkily. Notice the spring-loaded knob. Become aware of the reflection nature of the steel rule that is hard to read on the Empire but easy to do so on the Starrett. The Starrett comes in two finishes - chrome and matt. Check out the etching of the numbers, which is clearer. Guess what?!

Yes the Starrett is several times more expensive. If all you can afford is the Empire you are doing fine. At that price range it is a good enough square. But don't compare it with a Starrett. It does not rate.

Perhaps I will post a review of the review!

Regards from Perth

Derek

Looks like someone went ahead and posted that review of the review . FWIW, there is no way the Empire is the equal of a Starrett, for the reasons Derek mentioned, plus a few. The Starrett is a harder metal and doesn't ding as easily. The ways are better machined and don't develop slop. The edges are machined, not stamped, and therefore don't have rounded corners. (this can cause waves if using it to score depth or dado marks).

Originally Posted by derekcohen

That is a TERRIBLE review! I read it before but was being polite when I just ignored it and read something else.

The author only looks at whether the squares are ... well .. equally square and that their level bubbles line up ... and then concludes that, since they do the same thing, therefore the Empire is equal to the Starrett. Why pay the extra?

With this thinking, all planes are the same, all chisels are the same, all tablesaws are the same, all routers are the same ....

Ignored is the construction of the two - materials used, construction, and finish. Ignored is how they work in practice - which is easier to adjust, and how they feel in the hand. Does one want you to use it more than the other? I could go on.

I have a Starrett (I have 4). I have the Empire (purchased before I knew better). There is a WORLD of difference between them: try a Starrett and feel it glide silkily. Notice the spring-loaded knob. Become aware of the reflection nature of the steel rule that is hard to read on the Empire but easy to do so on the Starrett. The Starrett comes in two finishes - chrome and matt. Check out the etching of the numbers, which is clearer. Guess what?!

Yes the Starrett is several times more expensive. If all you can afford is the Empire you are doing fine. At that price range it is a good enough square. But don't compare it with a Starrett. It does not rate.

Perhaps I will post a review of the review!

Regards from Perth

Derek

I got one of the Nobex folding squares (300mm) at the Sydney WWS about 4 years ago...has been banging around in the bottom of my tool box since then, used without a "light touch" and after checking on my jointer bed seems to still be absolutely spot on.

Does anybody know of an outlet that stocks Starrett Combination Squares in Melbourne so I can go and check them out.

Starrett Australia gave me the phone numbers of a few agents but they all said they didn't stock them and would only supply to order.

I bought a Starrett 4" double square recently, and love it to death. Here's the link to it:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-13A-Double-Square-hardened/dp/B0002FUM2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1224898389&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Starrett 13A Double Square with hardened Blade: Home Improvement[/ame]


The thing seems to be very square, even after moving around the block, and feels solid when in use. I also have a cheap empire combo square, that (according to my Starrett) is actually pretty square. My two carpenter squares are pretty crappy and out of square, unfortunately. Large aluminum squares can move and warp in varying temperature/humidity.