Shopsmith Forums

Hi everyone. I am looking for a good quality combination square. I have heard people talk about Woodpecker and Starrett, but some people give mediocre reviews of those products. Paying $150 for a glorified ruler is tough, even if it is perfect and if it isn't....

So that being said, any recommendations on brand? I would like a smaller size and metric (I know that is an uncommon request but the scientist in me thinks in metric).

Many thanks,
Karl


ps: A Starrett square some people recommended. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XU78LI/?c ... dp_it&th=1

The L.S. Starrett company has been making precision measuring instruments since 1880. After 145 years it is hardly a company that makes mediocre products. Woodpeckers also makes high quality precision measuring tools. Yes they are expensive but you have to pay for quality and US manufacturing. These are quality tools that will last a lifetime. FWIW, Starrett invented and made the first combination square in 1880.

If you do get a starrett combination square, get all three heads(square/angle/centering.

I like PEC Tools as well. Not quite as well known as Starrett and some do not consider them as good. They can be slightly cheaper Starrett and sometimes factory seconds can be found for really reasonable prices. You can buy replacement rulers in 4R, 16R and metric.

https://taytools.com/products/12-300-mm ... 3f8a&_ss=r

https://www.harryepstein.com/products/2 ... hs-mm-blem

https://www.harryepstein.com/products/p ... re-7121-4r

I have a Starrett combo set that I use at work (as a Machinist).
It is great and top Quality.
I bought it 15 years ago.
Some of the Starrett stuff is Made in China now so be wary.

As I understand it, Starrett moved manufacturing for some of their tools to China, but NOT all. I believe some of the negative Starrett online comments stem from this shift by the company. I love Starrett and have their combination square. I do use it, but it isn't my daily driver so to speak. I own several of the Woodpeckers squares. For many marking tasks and particularly making a cross cut mark across a wide board, I often use my Woodpeckers 1218 (12" square). I even have their 18" and 26" squares which work great for sheet goods and aligning tracksaw tracks, etc. A newer addition that I have are the indexable squares from Woodpeckers. I have the combination and double square heads. I really like their double square with a 6" ruler in it. Getting back to the Starret, whenever I reach for it, I smile. It is a work of beauty and the ruler moves precisely in the head. I have the 12" ruler in it, and if I had a 6" ruler in it, I would probably reach for it more often. When I was on their website last, I think you can check and see which products are made in the US and which ones are made in China. I don't own any of the PEC tools, but I hear good things about them as well. One may ask why do I have so many different squares? First, I love tools, especially well engineered and machined tools. Second, some of these serve different purposes in my shop as stated. Third, the feel in the hand of the products I mention matters to me when I am woodworking. Using a well designed tool that just feels right in the hand can make all the difference in the world. Yes, they are expensive, but I saved up to buy everything that I have. I still own my original combination square (Johnson brand) purchased at a big box store and I did A LOT of work with it before buying these new squares. It just doesn't feel as good in my hands and doesn't slide as smoothly or as precisely as the Starrett combo square. Important when trying to move a 1/32" on the square and not have it move before locking it down.

Based on a YT video form Stumpy Nubs, I bought one of these from iGaging and am very happy with it.

Jim
https://taytools.com/products/igaging-1 ... 35c7&_ss=r

pngeezer wrote: Fri Jun 06, 2025 11:32 am Based on a YT video form Stumpy Nubs, I bought one of these from iGaging and am very happy with it.

Jim
https://taytools.com/products/igaging-1 ... 35c7&_ss=r

Jim,

Thanks. Yeah, I have heard good things about Taylor Toolworks as well. Might have to buy something from them in the future. Thanks for reminding me.

https://taytools.com/

Hi guys. Thanks so much for your responses. This gives me a lot to go on and learning that some of Starrett's products are made in China help me understand some of the negative reviews I have read.

Thanks,
Karl

kas20amc02 wrote: Fri Jun 06, 2025 11:00 pm Hi guys. Thanks so much for your responses. This gives me a lot to go on and learning that some of Starrett's products are made in China help me understand some of the negative reviews I have read.

Thanks,
Karl

Karl,

IF you go to this link in the Starrett website you can shop the Made in USA products from Starrett so they do make it easy to know which products are made domestically and which are not.

https://www.starrett.com/products/made-in-america