Info on 4" double squares, sources for Starrett, etc.

> This is why the Internet is so gosh darned great! Now, if I want to
> save $4 on a tool, I don't have to spend three weeks doing it!

Oh come on - it was only about a week. :)
May be ridiculous to save a few bucks, but I like to know what
options are available, and since I looked it all up anyway, I decided
to share it.
Andy

> Please let us know if any of the double squares have metric markings.

Sure - they are definitely available in inch/mm combo graduations.
For instance,
http://www.amazon.com/Inch-MM-PEC-Double-Square/dp/B000E0DRG0/ref=sr_1_3/002-9120848-0525634?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1179975578&sr=8-3
They should have a 4"/mm version also.
Not sure whether Starrett offers metric - don't recall seeing any
metric double or combo squares <300mm. But I was't very impressed
with the Starrett double square after all. I ended up getting the PEC
- about the same the LV version (indeed may be identical save for
color and logo), and one end the blade still slips sometimes with
moderate pressure. However, the beam on the LV/PEC squares is exactly
inch wide, so it's easy to use both the inside and outside graduations
without adjusting the beam. For some reason, the Starrett's beam was
about 29/32" wide, so it'd have to be adjusted each time I wanted to
switch between in/out graduations. Why would they do a thing like
that?
And the Starrett's blade still slipped a little bit unless I really
torqued the screw. So much for crying once - will be paying extra
shipping to return the Starrett, and to order the PEC. Hmpf.
Andy

Andy wrote:


> Hope this helps! I'm sure someone will point out where I could have
> gotten the 4" double square cheaper, but mine's already in the mail.
> I'm sure someone will correct me if any of this info is wrong.
>
> Andy

Please let us know if any of the double squares have metric markings.

Cheers,

Larry

Andy <[email protected]> writes:

>I thought I'd share some of what I found here, hoping it
> might save someone some comparison-shopping time!


Some more notes

The 4" double square also has an optional set of eveled blades. One
is used for drill grinding. The second has a 45 degree on one end,
and 60 degree on the other, for hexagons and octagons.


The combination squares have cast iron and the more expensive (and
durable) hardened head. The cast iron has a wrinkled black finish, and
the hardened has the smooth enamel finish. Keep that in mind when you
buy used squares.


Also The John Ratzenberger's Made in America featuring Starrett will bw shown


June 26 at 10:30 PM
June 27 at 1:30 AM
July 3 at 5:00 PM
September 11 at 9:00 PM
September 12 at 12:00 AM
September 15 at 2PM

Andy <[email protected]> wrote in news:1179513936.991110.239380
@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com:

> I just ordered a new Starrett 4" double square, and while shopping
> around, I found a good bit of info and several sites with good deals
> on Starrett and other brands that are supposed to make high-end
> squares. I thought I'd share some of what I found here, hoping it
> might save someone some comparison-shopping time!
>
> First, the reason I'm ordering one is to replace the Lee Valley 4"
> double square I've owned for a few months. I used it a LOT, it was a
> good deal, was very square, and mostly worked well, but I found that
> the blade slipped through the head with just a little bit of pressure,
> even when the screw was tightened down. LV gladly sent me a new one,
> which was a little better, but still didn't grip the blade
> consistently, so I returned both. Nothing against LV here - maybe I
> got 2 duds, or maybe their double squares just aren't quite up to
> snuff, but their customer service was top-notch as usual, and I'll
> certainly be ordering from them again (low-angle smoother, here I
> come...)
>
> Non-Starrett brands of combination and double squares that are
> reported (somewhere) to be good quality, mostly USA-made: Mitutoyo,
> PEC, Brown and Sharpe, Fowler. These brands sometimes go for very
> reasonable prices on eBay - apparently a lot of people just search for
> starrett.
>
> Model numbers of some 4R-graduated, 4" double squares:
> Starrett 13A, B&S 599-555-3, Mitutoyo 180-104, PEC 7104-404(?),
> Woodcraft 04P56, Lee Valley 24N08.01 (The heads on most of these
> EXCEPT Starrett, look like they MAY be made from the same casting, but
> I can't say for sure either way - anyone have more info on this?)
>
> Sources for squares: (The first four sources below stood out for their
> great prices on the 4" dbl square, and after that I'll post several
> others with varying prices, in case one is local for you or you're
> ordering something else anyway to offset shipping)
>
> BEST PRICE SOURCES:
> Amazon: Due to their free shipping and no tax, I found Amazon had the
> lowest final price on the Starrett 4" double square, at $44, but it
> was out of stock by the time I was ready to order. They also have
> reasonable prices on the Starrett 6" double square ($56) and 12"
> squares. There are also several inexpensive PEC squares on Amazon,
> sold through Victor Machinery Exchange: $25.90 for the 4" double
> square, $30.50 for the 6" dbl, and $43.50 for the 12" combo square,
> not including shipping.
>
> Homedepot.com: Believe it or not, HD's online site had the Starrett 4"
> double square in stock for $44.99, and if you can find something else
> to order for > $4.01, you can get free shipping (free shipping over
> $49), but you'll still pay tax (unless, I suppose, you live on the
> moon where there are no HD stores).
>
> Mansontool.com: Excellent deals on Starrett: $48.45 for the 6" combo
> square, $46 for 12" combo w/satin chrome blade, $41.50 for 4" dbl
> square, several head materials and blade finishes available.
>
> Craftsmanstudio.com: Prices on Starrett are average, BUT - they have
> a 110% price match guarantee, so they honored Manson Tool's price and
> shipping cost, and beat it by 10% of the difference. (And they have
> the best prices I've seen on Lie-Nielsen planes!) This is where I
> ended up ordering my double square, and due to their quick
> communication and helpful service so far, as well as their good
> selection of premium hand tools, I expect I'll be shopping here again
> in the future.
>
> OTHER SOURCES:
> Woodcraft.com: $35 for 4" dbl square, looks like LV and others, but
> it'd certainly be worth checking out if you have a local store and
> they stock this double square. Just see if the blade locks down
> tightly with finger pressure.
>
> Littlemachineshop.com: Best deal I found on a 6" combination square:
> PEC brand, $29.50 + shipping.
>
> japanwoodworker.com: Fairly good deals on various Starrett products,
> so if you live in CA's bay area or you're ordering something from them
> anyway, it's worth a look. I have one of their nice Japanese chisels
> and I love it (good thing, since it cost twice as much as my set of 4
> Marples...).
>
> grainger.com: Has Mitutoyo 4" ($42) and 6" ($45) double squares - and
> they probably have a branch near you.
>
> hartvilletool.com: Average prices on Starrett 12" ($73) and 6" ($65)
> combination squares, but through May 31, they're including a free "Hi-
> Gage" attachment - if you want one of those anyway ($20 separately),
> they would be a good deal.
>
> KBC tools: Variety of PEC and Starrett combination and double squares,
> at pretty good prices, so if you need some solid carbide end mills
> (read: inexpensive router bits), this would be a good source.
>
> MSDiscount.com: Good deals on Starrett 12" combination squares -
> $49-73, depending on your choice of blade finish and head material.
>
> mscdirect.com: Decent deals on 4" double squares: Starrett ($46), PEC
> ($32.19), B&S ($48.03), other sizes available.
>
> nolansupply.com has PEC, Fowler, Starrett, and Brown and Sharpe
> squares.
>
> travers.com, and pts-tools.com were a few other names that showed up
> as I searched for suppliers through the mfr's websites.
>
> Hope this helps! I'm sure someone will point out where I could have
> gotten the 4" double square cheaper, but mine's already in the mail.
> I'm sure someone will correct me if any of this info is wrong.
>
> Andy
>
>

This is why the Internet is so gosh darned great! Now, if I want to
save $4 on a tool, I don't have to spend three weeks doing it!

;-)

Thanks, Andy!

Patriarch

I preferred the brown and sharpe it feels better in your hand and
costs a bit less. never noticed any difference in how they worked.
I infilled my starrett with wood to make it feel better.

On 18 May 2007 13:09:33 -0700, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

> May be ridiculous to save a few bucks, but I like to know what
>options are available, and since I looked it all up anyway, I decided
>to share it.
>Andy


I appreciate the effort, even if I'm all set for squares right now!

When I read something like your original post in this thread, it says
a lot about the thought that goes into your comments.

Thanks for sharing. <G>