Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-5, страница 70

Today's SHOP

Mid-priced Squares

Finally, there's the mid-range category, populated with tools labeled Chicago Brand, Gladstone, and General Tool, as well as the branding of retail chains such as Rockier. Almost all are manufactured in China or India. They are priced between the high- and low-end squares, averaging about $45 to $50 for a two-piece set and $75 to $100 for a four-piece set.

Sometimes these squares are presented for what they are — better than hardware store squares but not as good as premium squares. But sometimes, indirectly — by implication — they're presented as being premium tools. The truth is, they are in-betweeners.

Like the low-end combination squares, what you see is what you get: no choices. Most have satin

chrome blades, though the Gladstone has a polished blade. Most use the 4R graduation, which is 8ths and 16ths on one side, 32nds and 64ths on the other. But Gladstone's square has a metric scale instead of 64ths. And a 12" blade is it; longer blades aren't available.

Highland Woodworking's square is only available as a four-piece set. Its protractor head is nonreversible.

Though the heads are cast-iron and the blades nicely machined, there's evidence of skimping on the details. The blades all were 5/64" thick, a 64th shy of the thickness of premium ones. Because the heads are nicely machined for the blade's thickness, you can't use a (longer) premium blade.

Today's Shop continues on page 72...

Combo square blade lengths vary. Although a really long blade might seem like a great idea, think carefully about the work you do. Sometimes a short blade is the ideal choice.

sides, while English/metric has ,5mm and 32nds plus mm and 64ths.

Lastly, you can opt for a blade longer than 12". Most machine-tool makers offer 18" and 24" blades. Starrett has 36" and 48" as well, though they are frighteningly expensive — jumping from about $90 for a 24" blade to $235 for the 36" to well over $400 for the 48".

Cut to size and graduated in a single mighty blow, the blade of a low-cost square (left) has burrs along its ends and edges. The machined blade (right) of a premium square features crisp, etched graduations and a low-glare, non-tarnishing satin-chrome finish.

Combo Squares:

Setup Tasks

For square crosscuts, set the miter gauge square to the blade. Set the combination square's blade against the miter gauge and the square head flat against the saw plate.

Don't try woodworking without one!

Setting up for individual cuts often calls a combination square into play — on the table saw, router table and many other tools.

Adjust the miter gauge for a 45° cut using just the head of the combination square. Just take the blade out and put the head on the fence and the blade. Avoid the saw's teeth.

70 October 2008 Woodworker's Journal

Thanks to the square head's broad edge, a combination square stands on its own beside a router bit, freeing your hands to adjust the bit up or down.