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There is at least one combination square that is better than the Starrett. Bridge City Tool Works CS-12 or -18.
Not a lotta options, since they got it right the first time.

Brief comments: the head and blade materials do matter. Make sure you get the right combination, otherwise one will wear out the other after many slides and such, and you'll lose accuracy. This may sound like a small thing (it is) but if you buy a tool for its accuracy, don't you want it to stay accurate?

[Honesty Disclaimer: I am a huge fan of BCTW.]

keakap wrote:There is at least one combination square that is better than the Starrett. Bridge City Tool Works CS-12 or -18.
Not a lotta options, since they got it right the first time.

Brief comments: the head and blade materials do matter. Make sure you get the right combination, otherwise one will wear out the other after many slides and such, and you'll lose accuracy. This may sound like a small thing (it is) but if you buy a tool for its accuracy, don't you want it to stay accurate?

[Honesty Disclaimer: I am a huge fan of BCTW.]

Fully agree with the quality aspect, keakap!:D I also want to add that while shopping at a Woodcraft store I found the Pinnacle brand of combination squares. They are also a super brand of combination squares. A little expensive, but worth every penny!

If you haven't heard of this brand name - take a look at a Woodcraft store near you or at their web page. You may be surprised.

charlese wrote:Fully agree with the quality aspect, keakap!:D I also want to add that while shopping at a Woodcraft store I found the Pinnacle brand of combination squares. They are also a super brand of combination squares. A little expensive, but worth every penny!

If you haven't heard of this brand name - take a look at a Woodcraft store near you or at their web page. You may be surprised.

Yer so right.
Awhile back I was the happy winner of a Finewoodworking give-away consisting of a lo-angle block plane, a standard angle block plane, a spoke shave and a set of scrapers, all Wood River, and from Woodcraft.
I hadn't really looked at Wood River before, and was quite surprised when I got them into the shop and took 'em apart.
Excellent. Just excellent.
I've since added a #3 and a #5 Wood River, based on that. Happy.
(I'd previously had only an old old Sears block plane (equiv 9 or 62 1/2 I think) and a flea market recovery Record #4 1/2 with a cracked sole. Never knew what fun planing can be!)

I've since added a couple wood clamps from Woodcraft, made by (forgot- a brand I'd noticed at Woodcraft but never heard of otherwise) which are also excellent (not just good) quality and at a good price.

Not trying to boost Woodcraft here, just adding to the idea of checking out a new name- brand or store- onct in awhile, might find a treasure or two.

Oh, I do love to visit woodcraft, but it's an hour drive to either location near me and both are out of my way. Usually LOML is with me also and now she understands how I feel when she drags me along shopping to her stores. So I don't get to woodcraft very often.

On the plus side, she doesn't drag me shopping with her as much as she used to either and her presence tends to keep my spending in check.

terrydowning wrote:... Usually LOML is with me also and now she understands how I feel when she drags me along shopping to her stores. ...
....

We have a similar setup. So a brief look-around in Woodcraft store, perhaps pick up a nice cocobolo turning blank on sale, only added price is maybe getting the warm & fuzzies in her store watching the LOML make some pretty clothes prettier for a few minutes.

Heck of a deal!

Starrett is really the best at measuring tools. Their antique tools still claim high dollars and, as far as I know, still made here in the Northeast. You just don't need machinist level accuracy. But, you do need to have a good trusty tool. How about refurbing the one you originally mentioned? Take it apart, lap the blade, fill the graduations with black ink, polish, fit and fettle and keep using it. It's worth doing if not for the experience....after that youll see life in just about anything in the junk/antique store.
Old tools are the best tools.

What fettling is their that can be done on a square that isn't square?

Besides, I really never have liked this particular combination square. It does not have the groove that goes the length of the bladed, rather it has a slot in the middle of the blade and to change the direction of the head, you have to completely remove it. I'm sure it will become a decoration.

On the plus side, on a recent visit to my Mom's house, I found an old Union Combination square. I checked it for square and it is! I just need to clean up the blade as it is rusty. A Starrett "C11HC-12-4R 12" Combination Square with Square and Center Head" is on my wishlist. All of my research leads me to believe this is the square to get, if for nothing else the confidence of knowing it is square and when well cared for will last a lifetime or two.