Starrett Steel Combination Square with Square Head, 12" Blade Length

I was using an empire combination square that just would not stay square (about 1/16" off at 12"). I finally bit the bullet and spent the money on the Starrett after seeing nothing but positive raves about their quality and accuracy. I am not disappointed! This square is perfectly square out of the box and feels very sturdy in my hands. The marks go all the way down to 64ths, but my old eyes are having a hard time seeing that small so I stick with 32nds. Great product. If you are on the fence about it, do it, it's worth the expense if you need accuracy.

If you all you work with is 2x material and plywood, then pick up a speed square at your local hardware store...if you want to build quality furniture or heirloom pieces, then this is what you want. If all you have ever held were the combination squares that you can find on the rack at your local hardware store, then you are in for a treat if you are able to wrap your fingers around a Starrett. First thing you will notice is the weight, not only is the cast Iron head heftier than the cheap aluminum or zinc in the typical 10 dollar square, the blade is heftier as well. The fit and finish are top notch, from the hardened awl to the etching on the blade. The most important thing however is that you know that this will be 100% accurate and square to 90`. (you can easily google how to check your square for square, i.e. 2 parallel line test) and it will stay that way. Also, made in the USA. My only wish was that I got the hardened steel head instead of the cast iron (I have a 6 inch square with the steel head) as it has better rust resistance. Also, make sure you get the satin blade, not the polished, much easier to read...this one has the satin blade.

It's a Starrett... when it comes to precision marking and measuring tools NO ONE does it better. My 6 inch combination square is from another manufacturer. I bought it at a big box home center. It is accurate and it works OK but it doesn't compare to this 12 inch Starrett. The Starrett is heavier which gives it a great feel when you are working with it. The Starrett has great adjusting components too. A slight twist of the knob with my thumb and the rule is locked in place. No wiggles. No wobbles. To get that performance from the home center brand I have to really crank down with my thumb and index finger. The method used for marking the graduations also make this a superior tool. Starrett uses laser engraving. Not so with a less expensive brand. That means your graduations will (eventually) wear off. My cheapy 6 inch is already showing signs of wear after two years. The Starrett looks the same as when I took it out of the box-and I use it A LOT more. Over your lifetime you can by one Starrett or several of the home center brand. Oh... did I mention it's made in the USA?

He’s anxious to use it on his projects and immediately felt the difference in weight and quality, from a lesser brand he has been using.

I have always played around woodworking but have just started to get more serious, since this will be my retirement hobby. After using a relatively inexpensive square for things like marking 2x4s for framing I tried to use it for laying out pieces for a cabinet. I ended up with parts that were more rhomboid and trapezoid than square or rectangular and wasted quite a bit of wood. After buying this square the quality of my work improved greatly. I was able to square and plumb my saw blades and guides and everything fits perfectly. I am sure that this is pretty basic to most who read this, but for me the impact was more than I expected. The square is solid and has no wobble after tightening the lock screw down. The quality of the machining is excellent and the ruler is easy to read. I also appreciate that it is made in the US. The cost was much more than my cheapie square but I am concluding that it is better to invest in a few great tools, strategically chosen, than to have more of low quality. I guess I could have spent $$$ on a new table saw but with this square was able to tune up my modest table saw to work great. This is my new favorite tool.

First, I get it. This square is really expensive. But before I purchased this, I had no idea how my woodworking was being compromised by having tools that were set up using a square that I *thought* was 90 degrees, or close enough (so I thought). From tablesaw set up, to miter gauge set up, to jointer set up, to dovetail jig set up, to checking cases for square - everything. The errors introduced by my cheaper, inaccurate squares made *everything* more difficult. And the errors compound themselves as work proceeds. Knowing that I now have a square that is consistently, and truly accurate has changed my work considerably. I've had to re-tune all my woodworking tools. I saw videos on-line regarding combinate square shootouts and how to tune-up an insufficiently calibrated square, but I didn't want to go down that path. If all you do is rough carpentry or nothing requires precision, you don't need this square. But if you're a woodworker, bite the bullet, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and spend the money on this square.

Its a Starrett... how could it get less than fives stars? Well maybe because its expensive but. You will only have to buy one of these your entire life and pass it on when you go. Im a steel fitter and this one of my most used tools. I have went through many cheap combo squares. I deal with a lot of torch cut plate that has slag and rust along the edges. It tears reg squares up and makes it hard for them to slide. It doesn't phase this one at all. Quality doesn't get any better than this.

Personally I have no idea why a combination square needs to cost nearly $100 or more. However, it seems the case metal is thicker and more robust then you box store version and it is accurate. The shipping package was not ideal, with the ruler only having a thin plastic bag around the tool in a flimsy box with plenty of room for the tool to jostle around in shipment. I'm surprised it didn't get bent or dinged on the way. But delivery was fast. 2 days. Wow! Overall I recommend this tool over the very pricy Woodpeckers version, its just not as pretty to look at.

Con solo tenerla en las manos te das cuenta por que el valor de marca. Es solida, buenos materiales y muy exacta. Si la cuidas bien se la puedes heredar a tus nietos.

I thought I had a decent combination square - you know actually square! But then I splurged and got the Starrett which is recognized as the best. The quality and finish are immediately apparent especially the legibility of the markings, even the 64th's. When I looked at my original it became apparent that it was so similar to the Starrett that it was a Chinese knock-off which is pretty good but it isn't a Starrett! Little things like slight flaws in the head casting betray its origins. So I will use my Chinese knock-off for general work but when I want absolute accuracy and reliability I will use the Starrett. It is expensive but sometimes you do get what you pay for.

I already had the 6" version, but found that sometimes limiting for work on largers pieces of wood. The Starrett 12" combination square is a solid and accurate tool with a proven pedigree that will last a lifetime.

the best in the business Square and well made

classic starrett quality great to use