Thread: Square recommendation

I like this sort of thing below for good value . Just the loose square out of one of those sets do turn up all the time . Much cheaper when their missing the other bits . The other bits are pretty useful things though . Moore and Wright and Starrett are some other Vintage brands to hunt for as well . Rob

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F26459913717

My go-to square is an ordinary (Blackwoods, I think) 6" engineers square.

Originally Posted by auscab

I like this sort of thing below for good value . Just the loose square out of one of those sets do turn up all the time . Much cheaper when their missing the other bits . The other bits are pretty useful things though . Moore and Wright and Starrett are some other Vintage brands to hunt for as well . Rob

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F26459913717

I have a spare one of those PM if interested.

I like Colin Clenton squares, they just feel nice


Adjustable Squares By Colen Clenton

Cheers Matt

Originally Posted by Wongdai

Hello all

I have noticed that the square my father gave me way back when (it must be at least 50 years old) is no longer actually square.

So I am looking for something cheap and accurate (yeah I know), something like this, but doesn't cost $150 (which I think is way over the mark).
200mm Precision Woodworking Square w/- case (851m)- Woodpecker woodworksupplies.com.au

Looking for recommendations please.

I would take it to a fitter and machinist aget them to mill it back to square and save $100

I would say get a 300mm Starrett combination square and then never look back but they're also around $160. They're totally worth it though and mine will probably outlast me.

Timbecon sell iGaging combination squares for $60. They're excellent and you shouldn't have any issues with them being not square out of the box.

Originally Posted by Alkahestic

I would say get a 300mm Starrett combination square and then never look back but they're also around $160. They're totally worth it though and mine will probably outlast me.

Timbecon sell iGaging combination squares for $60. They're excellent and you shouldn't have any issues with them being not square out of the box.

+1 for the igaging model. Picked one up recently and have been very happy.

It has some weight to it but locks down nicely and is dead straight.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

Thank you for the recommendations and offer.

I will look into each of these and work out what is best for me.

This makes me think about squareness a lot.

Engineering squares are super high precision. They also cost a lot. One must treat them very nicely.

I've never needed anything like the level of tolerance that these provide. So far, I've not been commissioned to build some high efficiency nuclear reactor or such.

Why not use the corner of MDF? Grab a sheet, cut off a triangle thats 50cm x 100cm and viola, instant super accurate never-out-of-square mega ensquare-o-matic.

Factory accuracy of these sheets are bang-on.

Put a hardwood edge on it, or some aluminium/steel angle bar if its to be super permanent.

Why don't you have a look at the posts and youtube videos from one of your own forumers "Hook on wood", He's reviewed a fair number of "cheap" squares from China. I bought one of them from China and is quite happy with it.
By the way, if it is a combination square. you can easily get it square yourself with a bit of sandpaper.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

This makes me think about squareness a lot.

Engineering squares are super high precision. They also cost a lot. One must treat them very nicely.

I've never needed anything like the level of tolerance that these provide. So far, I've not been commissioned to build some high efficiency nuclear reactor or such.

Why not use the corner of MDF? Grab a sheet, cut off a triangle thats 50cm x 100cm and viola, instant super accurate never-out-of-square mega ensquare-o-matic.

Factory accuracy of these sheets are bang-on.

Put a hardwood edge on it, or some aluminium/steel angle bar if its to be super permanent.

My view is that I am going to be accurate, or I'm not going to be accurate. If I am going to be accurate I would at least like to be able to reverse my square after drawing a line and have the lines parallel.

Sure if I am not going to care about accuracy that much I could use a piece of timber out of the factory. I could even just eyeball it. But the trouble with accuracy (or the lack of it) is that it is cumulative, and it is magnified over length.

For me, I would prefer something that is as accurate as possible to start out with. That way the vagaries of my eyesight and other environmental conditions won't compound the original inaccuracies.

Originally Posted by justonething

Why don't you have a look at the posts and youtube videos from one of your own forumers "Hook on wood", He's reviewed a fair number of "cheap" squares from China. I bought one of them from China and is quite happy with it.
By the way, if it is a combination square. you can easily get it square yourself with a bit of sandpaper.

Funnily enough I watched 8 of his videos yesterday. Quite inspirational.

Originally Posted by Wongdai

Hello all

I have noticed that the square my father gave me way back when (it must be at least 50 years old) is no longer actually square.

So I am looking for something cheap and accurate (yeah I know), something like this, but doesn't cost $150 (which I think is way over the mark).
200mm Precision Woodworking Square w/- case (851m)- Woodpecker woodworksupplies.com.au

Looking for recommendations please.

I would grab this 6" engineers square - perfect for joinery and a very good price for the make: Moore and Wright 150mm 6" Engineer Square Precision Ground Measure Faces 400-6 5051102019846 | eBay


Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I would grab this 6" engineers square - perfect for joinery and a very good price for the make: Moore and Wright 150mm 6" Engineer Square Precision Ground Measure Faces 400-6 5051102019846 | eBay


Regards from Perth

Derek

I still have the Moore & Wright I bought for my apprenticeship in 1961. Looks a bit worse for wear but accurate.

1FDDBF79-9610-469D-A2DE-0A1A8DB4E2BA.jpeg

Gordon