Combination square

[PETERG]

can anyone recommend a decent new combination square?

ive bought 3 different modern combination squares in the past and they awful! the locking nut wears and i end up having to tighten them with pliers the newer hand tools seem to be made of cheap metal which snaps easially

any suggestions?

 

[adidat]

You could have a look at this one from workshop heaven, here is a link to mattew right up on his blog. It looks quite nice for a decent price, in the price you get the three objects and a blade and a nice box. the next step up is a starret set which is excellent but you pay through the nose for it.
http://workshopheaven.blogspot.com/2011/10/combination-square.html

Adidat

 

[Jacob]

Rabone Chesterman if you can find one second hand.

 

[Richard T]

... or second hand Moore and Wright. I got one for £12. Role on car boot season.

 

[adidat]

Role on car boot season.

+1

Adidat

 

[Sawyer]

Rabone Chesterman if you can find one second hand.

Definitely! I've had one since 1986 and it's still as good as the day it was new - albeit a little scruffier!

 

[jimi43]

Role on car boot season.

+1

Adidat

Indeed! Though I guess my bootfair "combination square" is a bit OTT!!!

I suppose it depends on what you use it for and the accuracy you need...

Not bad for a tenner.... :mrgreen:

And STILL SOLD NEW

So....yes...roll on bootfairs!

Jim

 

[adidat]

:tongue9:

 

[Saint Simon]

I've got 3 Starretts, two off EBay and one new. I think they are very good.
Simon

 

[mbartlett99]

Hi

Starrett, Mitutoyo, Moore and Wright - all top notch gear but bear in mind that second hand squares might not have been treated with respect and they're not all that tolerant of abuse. My dad still has his Moore and Wright 40 yrs on and it still passes calibration.

 

[woodbloke]

Starrett from Classic Hand Tools, but be prepared to dig deep into your pockets...I've got one of their little adjustable squares on my Christmas wish list, but it's never materialised yet :-({|= - Rob

 

[johnf]

I have one of these bought from a boot fair for a tenner

http://www.trssupplies.co.uk/prod_2156.html

 

[jimi43]

:tongue9:

Yes Chris...hands up....I guess my example was a little extreme but judging my JohnF's find...I'm not too sure.

As for calibration...agreed Rob...but I tested my little Tesa against my M&W test square and it was spot on. Not sure which should be used as the reference though here!

I suppose they are both accurate enough for woodworking anyway...as one UKW sage is fond of pointing out! :wink:

Jim

 

[adidat]

Not long now jimi until we can go and harrass the half asleep sellers.

Adidat

 

[jimi43]

Not long now jimi until we can go and harrass the half asleep sellers.

Adidat

Five weeks here....and the missus has started to sort the garage and loft #2 out so that she can set up the stall to make me money for my crazy purchases!

Not long now...I'm even booking leave for the whole of March Sundays to ensure I can play with them when I get home!

Can't wait!

Oh...and I have to train "special needs puppy" to be "bootfair dog" too...that might be a challenge! :shock:

Jim

 

[adidat]

Yes i refrain from taking amber, who is the sweetest kindest lab. But loves to play with objects and wooden things, took her to brean barrow in the summer and the first occasion was running off and popping a childs ball, and then she grabed a log from a todlers hand, scary that was.

Adidat

 

[jimi43]

Yes i refrain from taking amber, who is the sweetest kindest lab. But loves to play with objects and wooden things, took her to brean barrow in the summer and the first occasion was running off and popping a childs ball, and then she grabed a log from a todlers hand, scary that was.

Adidat

My dear departed Jake did a poo right in the middle of someone's tarpaulin....he didn't go again....(to a bootfair that is!)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Jim

 

[Modernist]

By coincidence I was looking for a 150mm CS as my alloy version is unusable. I noticed a standard Bahco on ebay and bought it for £4.80 delivered.

Cast iron stock, nicely machined with some nice touches like the spring being retained in a recess under the nut and a stainless rule.

Why bother with the vintage stuff which may have had a hard life

 

[nanowire]

By coincidence I was looking for a 150mm CS as my alloy version is unusable. I noticed a standard Bahco on ebay and bought it for £4.80 delivered.

Cast iron stock, nicely machined with some nice touches like the spring being retained in a recess under the nut and a stainless rule.

Why bother with the vintage stuff which may have had a hard life

I have the 300mm one and I am pleased with it. It is square and although I don't have a Starret CS to compare with I do imagine that it is good enough for my needs.

Will probably also by a 150mm since some times the 300mm is a bit unhandy. Does anyone know if the 6" and the 12" have the same head or if the head of the 6" is smaller?

 

[nanowire]

By coincidence I was looking for a 150mm CS as my alloy version is unusable. I noticed a standard Bahco on ebay and bought it for £4.80 delivered.

Cast iron stock, nicely machined with some nice touches like the spring being retained in a recess under the nut and a stainless rule.

Why bother with the vintage stuff which may have had a hard life

I have the 300mm one and I am pleased with it. It is square and although I don't have a Starret CS to compare with I do imagine that it is good enough for my needs.

Will probably also by a 150mm since some times the 300mm is a bit unhandy. Does anyone know if the 6" and the 12" have the same head or if the head of the 6" is smaller?

http://extranet.snaeurope.com/loadImage ... fix=normal
This image seems to suggest that the 6" is indeed smaller