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Why are squares so damn expensive?

9K views 42 replies 27 participants last post by  starringemma 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Starrett squares are like over $100 just for two pieces of metal stamped together at a 90° angle. What are some good alternatives to over priced squares?

I bought a pear of plastic Rockler clamp-it squares but when I spooned them together I cound see day light throught them on one of the far ends.

I have one of thoughs large flat metal squares that's all one peice that cost maybe $9.95 at Home Depot but I want an afordable one of these.



? for this!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Starrett-Square-no-20-36-/251210395312?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7d4e6eb0
 
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#6 ·
Higher precision = more money. Usually exponentially. That one you link to is within 0.0001" every 6". Meaning it's longest side is within square by 0.0006".

For woodworking, I'm sure 1/64" error (0.0156") over 12" is probably fine. The wood will move more than that.
 
#7 ·
Might check on see what Swanson has? Take along a known square item to check a few on the shelf.

Speed squares: Them plastic rectangle thingys that framers use. They need to be check for square, the last time I had to buy one, I think I check about a dozen before I found one that was square.

Combo Squares: Can be square when tightened up, but be sure to check them BEFORe you buy one. With all the sliding back and forth they do, it is better to get the all metal ones, rather than the ones with that plastic ends.

Carpenter?Framer squares: Again check for square. These are Huge for being in a shop. Useful for larger projects. You can set different angles with them, IF you know how to read them. ( That is why they make speed squares, for people that can't read a framing square) Get a Steel one, if you need one.
 
#10 ·
I have made a few of them. I used a piece of brass and brass dowels and purple heart and walnut. drill 3 holes in the wood mark the holes in the brass and drill them. then push the brass rods though the holes. I even put all the lines on mine with the inches. very fun to make and is a perfect square. try it!!!!!! Check out my projects page you will see one there.
 
#16 ·
Vintage rosewood and brass squares off eBay (or flea markets) can be had quite cheap, and are usually pretty true. If not, it's pretty easy to make them true with a few hammer taps.
 
#18 ·
Loren said,

You don't need Starrett for woodworking. Those
expensive tools are for setting up milling machines
used in manufacturing satellite parts and other
super fine-tolerance stuff like that…. you know,
super colliders and rocket ships.

Please don't take this as an attack on you or that I'm trying to start something because I'm not.

I never did like it much when someone tells me what I need, or don't need. Were all different and have different wants and needs.

This is one reason why I need/want the precision of something like a Starrett square. I once cut up something like 15 sheets of plywood for a kitchen cabinet project. The kitchen needed 19 boxes. As I was assembling these boxes I notice they weren't coming out square. All 19 were out of square.

The reason was my saw blade was ever so slightly off of the 90 degree mark from the table top. I now have a couple of Starrett square and I've never had that problem again. Same thing with face frame and door rail stock. If the ends of those aren't cut perfectly square they don't clamp up square.
 
#24 ·
DKV,

I moved to Oregon, it took awhile for me to get back into a routine. It's not much different than Wisconsin except that moss grows on everything so you have to move around a lot and there's at least one hippie on every street corner.
 
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