Thread: Low cost Starrett combination square at RS Components?

It's Starrett UK, not USA; that's probably why it's cheaper and doesn't show up on a search.

It’s also only 150mm, which is pretty short. I suppose you can always buy a 300mm rule section separately if you wanted to.

edit: No, you couldn’t. See post #5

I have both and the 150mm gets used more in a day than the 300mm gets used in 6 months.

Originally Posted by Colin62

It’s also only 150mm, which is pretty short. I suppose you can always buy a 300mm rule section separately if you wanted to.

I didn't think the 150mm and 300mm rulers were interchangeable on the same head?

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

I didn't think the 150mm and 300mm rulers were interchangeable on the same head?

You’re right. I just assumed that they would be, but having checked with my mate Google, I see that the 150mm is 19mm wide whereas the 300mm ones are 25mm.

A very good friend has a range of Starrett combination squares and they are extremely good.

When it came time for me to replace a very aging 6" square, I looked at Starrett, but wasn't able to get a metric only unit, plus, the price was rather astronomical.

Eventually I discovered a quite reasonably priced made in the USA 150mm combination square available in Bunnings.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/empire-tr...50mm_p00138313

If you do decide to look at these, ensure you are looking at either the 150mm or 300mm "M" version. These units all have the letter "M" at the end of their model number.

They are 150mm or 300mm in length, metric both sides and very nice to work with. The other metric/imperial units made by the same firm are imperial lengths as in 152.4mm and 304.8mm (6" and 12").

The reason you are being directed to a NZ site, is because I am in NZ at the moment and somehow unable to access the Bunnings AU site.

Mick.

Thanks all for your responses.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

It's Starrett UK, not USA; that's probably why it's cheaper and doesn't show up on a search.

Can you clarify? Are you saying it's made in the UK, not the USA and not as good, so cheaper? Or it's a model destined for the UK, and priced for a different market?

Originally Posted by Colin62

It’s also only 150mm, which is pretty short.

I'm looking for a short square. I already have a large one, and for 90% of what I use it for, it's far to big.

Originally Posted by Optimark

Eventually I discovered a quite reasonably priced made in the USA 150mm combination square available in Bunnings.
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/empire-tr...50mm_p00138313

I already have a large empire square, but 1) it's not square (5mm over 400m) and 2) I really need to crank down on the holding screw to secure the ruler, and it still works its way loose, so every time I use it, I have to re-tighten.

Yep, made in the UK. From the Wiki page "In 1958, a plant was opened in Scotland and this plant currently makes products for the European and Asian markets."
No idea about quality, I'm sure Starrett has pretty tight controls to make sure it meets their reputation though.

I reckon this from Jim Davey is a bargain set

Jim Davey - Woodworking Hand Tools - eShop - Sales - PEC Tools - Products Engineering Corporation, CA, USA

Hi Lance

I also have an Empire 400mm NON-square. Terrible. I need to return it to Bunnings.

Have you heard of Harry Epstein in the US? https://www.harryepstein.com

They sell PEC squares which have minor blemishes at extremely reasonable prices. E.g. a 12" version is US$24. These are supposed to be comparable to the Starrett from everything I've read (I've don't have one myself so can't say 100% how good they are).

Starrett also makes squares out of China, could be one of those. Again, only from what I've read, the quality on these is quite bad compared to the USA made versions.

Regards Adam

Originally Posted by LanceC

...the model number they have listed (DW750) returns nothing at Starrett.

I am a bit late - but anyway - proper identifier is Starrett 10MEH-150.

There is also a metric version not sold by Rs Components: 10MH-150.

There are some reviews for both on amazon uk.

Starrett used Scotland for the same reason Stanley manufactured in Quebec.
Cheap labor.
Starret later switched to Brazil use Brazil.
RS does have good prices on some tools.
They also stock items that are not available elsewhere.
Im rather partial to the thin Stanley snap knives with the lock at the rear.
They disappeared off the market but RS still had them for years.
H.

Originally Posted by clear out

Im rather partial to the thin Stanley snap knives with the lock at the rear.
They disappeared off the market but RS still had them for years.
H.

Hah! How is this for a bizarre coincidence, the reason I came across the square which started this thread in the first place was that I was on RS buying a couple of the Stanley knives you refer to, and the square showed up as a suggestion or something.

Kind regards,
Lance