Popular Woodworking 2001-02 № 120, страница 27

Starrett C434-12-R

L.S. Starrett 978-249-3551 www.starrett.com

Price: $I38

Blade Readability: 4.75 Overall Fit and Finish: 5 Smoothness of Operation: 5 Accuracy: 5

Scale: z^, ^6, Vm and ^//64 Head: forged & hardened steel or cast iron Blade: hardened & tempered

The granddaddy of all squares, the Starrett is often held up for high praise, and we feel it's justified after our tests.Well-machined, with excellent fit and finish, the scales on the satin-finished blade are well-etched and easy to read.The locking pin drops into a machined depression in the head to keep the pin aligned, but still makes it easy to rotate the pin when necessary.The blade moves the smoothest of any we tested.The protractor head is equally well-machined and just as accurate, with the scale milled into the metal ratherthan attached as a plate, as with the other squares we tested.This tool is rated best overall by all our editors and is certainly worth its price. As a testament to this tool's long life, we've bought well-worn Starrett squares that were more than 30 years old from flea markets (about $20 to $25) that were still dead square.

Woodcraft 14L90

Woodcraft 800-225-1153 www.woodcraft.com

Price: $120

Blade Readability: 4.5

Overall Fit and Finish: 4.25 Smoothness of Operation: 4 Accuracy: 5

Scale: /I3, ^6, Vm and ^//64 Head: cast iron

Blade: hardened & tempered

Though priced similarly to the General, there are differences in design that keep this square from being its equal.The castings are decent (some quite thick), though they aren't as clean as the other top performers.The square proved accurate, and the smoothness of operation was good, but not excellent.The markings on the satin-finish blade are well-etched and easyto read.The pin is milled with an oversized tangto keep the pin from spinning completely around. Howevei;to rotate the pin to use another scale the pin must be almost completely removed.The protractor head has the blade affixed to the side of the head rather than through the middle, which makes it impossible to use both sides for complementary angles.

Woodworker's Supply 916-703

Woodworker's Supply 800-645-9292

Price: $50

Blade Readability: 3

Overall Fit and Finish: 2.5 Smoothness of Operation: 3 Accuracy: 4

Scale: .5mm, Imm, ^//32 and ^//64 Head: cast iron

Blade: tempered

This bargain square is made in China and can be a serviceable tool — if you're willing to do a little work. Both of the units we tested were not square when they came out of the box. However, by repeatedly rubbing the blade against one area of the head (about 150 or 200 times), we were able to bring both tools into alignment. The castings are rougher than those on the other squares, though no major burrs stood in the way of using the tool. We looked closer at these squares than most woodworker would and noticed that the guide channel on the blade on this square (and on Grizzly's) had square sides.This seemed to make the blade more difficult to move.

variations on the theme

The Odd-Job #1 is a tool designed by Stanley in the early 1900s as a pocket combination square. It's currently made by Simpson MachineTool Co. and sold through several catalog companies. The Odd Job has many of the same functions as a combination square,yet it really is a different animal.The most notable difference is the wooden ruler and the fact that you can use it as a compass.The well-machined bronze casting is a joy to hold in your hand, and the little guy slips nicely into your shop apron.Available for $60 from Woodcraft 800-225-1 153.

TheVeritas Sliding Square is a tool that deserves serious attention. Though not a true combination square, this tool is well-made, accu-^rate and a bargain at $25 (especially if you cannot afford a more ^^^^^^^^ expensive traditional combination square).The Sliding

Square is unique in that it allows you to work in two axes at ^^^^^ once, something that requires two setups with a combination square. Its small size allows you to slip it inside a shop ■ apron, and the tool excels at drawing lines parallel to the edge of a board. For joint or hinge layout, this is an outstanding tool. Available from Lee Valley Tools 800-871-8158.

27 Popular Woodworking February 2001