Products Engineering Corp. - Combination Square (12" 2 PC METRIC/FRACTIONAL COMBINATION SQUARE (USA)) (Rating: 5)

So over the years it's hit me that the tool I reach for most often, and use ALL THE TIME, is the combination square. Use it for rough squaring, for marking and layout quick 45 degree marks, general measurement and marking of depth, etc.

I've been using a cheap one I got at Home Depot-I think it's the "empire" brand. it's been adequate, but it's not exactly square, and more annoying the rule doesn't want to stay where you set it-tighten it down and it self-loosens and the rule moves.

So started looking for a new combination square. Wow, Starrett-over 100 bucks! If I was making my living at this, maybe, but that's just too much. I looked on Ebay and there are used Starrett's that aren't outrageous, but are they still accurate? Also the last minute bid sniping is just sort of tiresome. I want to get it done, not wait through a bunch of bids that fail.

After much research I ended up with the PEC Square, sold as a "blemished" model for $24.

This is a really great tool. It's dead square by simple eyeball measurement (mark a line, flip it, mark another line, check for square) it's got a solid feel and the rule is engraved, not printed, with a matte finish that's easy to read. And then it really holds its position-the thumbscrew is precise and effective. I bought two of them, one all US and one US/Metric.

The "blemished" part seems to be the the "products engineering corp" name has been ground out. Somewhere I read on the web the reason for this-I found a link to a legal filing that explained it. But I can't find it now

But i'm just completely impressed with the quality and value of this thing. Again I'm not saying it's a good as a Starrett, but it's everything I could ask for in a humble tool that I use every day. Very happily tossing the Empire square into the trash