I while back I posted requesting thoughts on 4" double squares. I ended up
ordering the 4" model from highland hardware.

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...ROD&ProdID=958

I was really disappointed. It will be going back. There were 3 things that I
found to be disappointing.

1. Size. This is my fault for not properly visualizing this thing. I
foolishly assumed that Starrett would use the same knurled knobs on their
double square as on the combination square. Not so. The whole tool is scaled
down significantly. The cross section of the rule is 5/8" by 1/16" compared
to 1"x 3/32" on the C-square. I do not have large hands but this tool
generally felt "delicate" rather than "substantial".

2. Ergonomics. My Starrett C-square is ergonomically superlative. With the
fence resting in my palm, the thumb falls naturally onto the ample knurled
knob. Conversely, the smaller knob on the double-square is set into a the
base which is a bit too narrow (15/16") as it is impossible to turn the
inset knob without rubbing one's fingers against the interior lapped
(slightly sharp) edge of the fence casting.

3. Damage. The were a couple of dings in track of the rule. They are not
visually obvious, but are functionally significant.
The most significant one was in the center of travel and felt like a very
pronounced detent. It's hard to imagine that the track on the side of the
rule would be damaged with casual contact. It's just not a very exposed
edge. There were also some fine scratches on one of the faces of the fence
casting. I could care less about the scratches except that it suggests that
this tool may has been used and and a minimum, significantly "handled".

I believe that this tool was used and returned. It may have been returned
because of a manufacturing defect, or possibly damaged by the original
purchaser. Maybe it was a store display item. It is understandable to see
how an item with such a flaw could make it back into inventory.

I must admit that I had a very high expectation of quality. 1 and arguably
2, are "on me". 3, however, I believe is unacceptable at this price point
($47). I'm sure that Highland hardware will take care of me, but I'll have
to eat at least some shipping costs.

I thought I would share. Hopefully someone will find this useful.

-Steve

Stephen M wrote:
I while back I posted requesting thoughts on 4" double squares. I ended up
ordering the 4" model from highland hardware.

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...ROD&ProdID=958

I was really disappointed. It will be going back. There were 3 things that I
found to be disappointing.

1. Size. This is my fault for not properly visualizing this thing. I
foolishly assumed that Starrett would use the same knurled knobs on their
double square as on the combination square. Not so. The whole tool is scaled
down significantly. The cross section of the rule is 5/8" by 1/16" compared
to 1"x 3/32" on the C-square. I do not have large hands but this tool
generally felt "delicate" rather than "substantial".

2. Ergonomics. My Starrett C-square is ergonomically superlative. With the
fence resting in my palm, the thumb falls naturally onto the ample knurled
knob. Conversely, the smaller knob on the double-square is set into a the
base which is a bit too narrow (15/16") as it is impossible to turn the
inset knob without rubbing one's fingers against the interior lapped
(slightly sharp) edge of the fence casting.

3. Damage. The were a couple of dings in track of the rule. They are not
visually obvious, but are functionally significant.
The most significant one was in the center of travel and felt like a very
pronounced detent. It's hard to imagine that the track on the side of the
rule would be damaged with casual contact. It's just not a very exposed
edge. There were also some fine scratches on one of the faces of the fence
casting. I could care less about the scratches except that it suggests that
this tool may has been used and and a minimum, significantly "handled".

I believe that this tool was used and returned. It may have been returned
because of a manufacturing defect, or possibly damaged by the original
purchaser. Maybe it was a store display item. It is understandable to see
how an item with such a flaw could make it back into inventory.

I must admit that I had a very high expectation of quality. 1 and arguably
2, are "on me". 3, however, I believe is unacceptable at this price point
($47). I'm sure that Highland hardware will take care of me, but I'll have
to eat at least some shipping costs.

I thought I would share. Hopefully someone will find this useful.

-Steve


Thanks for posting this. I was thinking of buying it Internet. I will
have to rethink that.

The first tool I ever bought (1956 I was in High School) was a 4 inch Union
Tool Co. double square. It is my constant companion in the shop. It cost
six hours of my labor....thats right, $6.00; that works out at something
like twelve cents per year....so far.
Dave

The WIF got me a 6" Starrett Combo Square, and according to Amazon, it
*just* shipped... I'll letcha all know how I fare with it when it gets
here.
"Stephen M" wrote in message
...
I while back I posted requesting thoughts on 4" double squares. I ended up
ordering the 4" model from highland hardware.

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...ROD&ProdID=958

I was really disappointed. It will be going back. There were 3 things that
I
found to be disappointing.

1. Size. This is my fault for not properly visualizing this thing. I
foolishly assumed that Starrett would use the same knurled knobs on their
double square as on the combination square. Not so. The whole tool is
scaled
down significantly. The cross section of the rule is 5/8" by 1/16"
compared
to 1"x 3/32" on the C-square. I do not have large hands but this tool
generally felt "delicate" rather than "substantial".

2. Ergonomics. My Starrett C-square is ergonomically superlative. With the
fence resting in my palm, the thumb falls naturally onto the ample knurled
knob. Conversely, the smaller knob on the double-square is set into a the
base which is a bit too narrow (15/16") as it is impossible to turn the
inset knob without rubbing one's fingers against the interior lapped
(slightly sharp) edge of the fence casting.

3. Damage. The were a couple of dings in track of the rule. They are not
visually obvious, but are functionally significant.
The most significant one was in the center of travel and felt like a very
pronounced detent. It's hard to imagine that the track on the side of the
rule would be damaged with casual contact. It's just not a very exposed
edge. There were also some fine scratches on one of the faces of the
fence
casting. I could care less about the scratches except that it suggests
that
this tool may has been used and and a minimum, significantly "handled".

I believe that this tool was used and returned. It may have been returned
because of a manufacturing defect, or possibly damaged by the original
purchaser. Maybe it was a store display item. It is understandable to see
how an item with such a flaw could make it back into inventory.

I must admit that I had a very high expectation of quality. 1 and arguably
2, are "on me". 3, however, I believe is unacceptable at this price point
($47). I'm sure that Highland hardware will take care of me, but I'll
have
to eat at least some shipping costs.

I thought I would share. Hopefully someone will find this useful.

-Steve

I started looking closely at the photos.

The 6" Starrett is *not* the 12 with a shorter blade.

I'd like to hear how you like it.

-Steve
"John Moorhead" wrote in message
m...
The WIF got me a 6" Starrett Combo Square, and according to Amazon, it
*just* shipped... I'll letcha all know how I fare with it when it gets
here.
"Stephen M" wrote in message
...
I while back I posted requesting thoughts on 4" double squares. I ended
up
ordering the 4" model from highland hardware.


http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com...ROD&ProdID=958

I was really disappointed. It will be going back. There were 3 things
that
I
found to be disappointing.

1. Size. This is my fault for not properly visualizing this thing. I
foolishly assumed that Starrett would use the same knurled knobs on
their
double square as on the combination square. Not so. The whole tool is
scaled
down significantly. The cross section of the rule is 5/8" by 1/16"
compared
to 1"x 3/32" on the C-square. I do not have large hands but this tool
generally felt "delicate" rather than "substantial".

2. Ergonomics. My Starrett C-square is ergonomically superlative. With
the
fence resting in my palm, the thumb falls naturally onto the ample
knurled
knob. Conversely, the smaller knob on the double-square is set into a
the
base which is a bit too narrow (15/16") as it is impossible to turn the
inset knob without rubbing one's fingers against the interior lapped
(slightly sharp) edge of the fence casting.

3. Damage. The were a couple of dings in track of the rule. They are not
visually obvious, but are functionally significant.
The most significant one was in the center of travel and felt like a
very
pronounced detent. It's hard to imagine that the track on the side of
the
rule would be damaged with casual contact. It's just not a very exposed
edge. There were also some fine scratches on one of the faces of the
fence
casting. I could care less about the scratches except that it suggests
that
this tool may has been used and and a minimum, significantly "handled".

I believe that this tool was used and returned. It may have been
returned
because of a manufacturing defect, or possibly damaged by the original
purchaser. Maybe it was a store display item. It is understandable to
see
how an item with such a flaw could make it back into inventory.

I must admit that I had a very high expectation of quality. 1 and
arguably
2, are "on me". 3, however, I believe is unacceptable at this price
point
($47). I'm sure that Highland hardware will take care of me, but I'll
have
to eat at least some shipping costs.

I thought I would share. Hopefully someone will find this useful.

-Steve

C & S wrote:
I started looking closely at the photos.

The 6" Starrett is *not* the 12 with a shorter blade.

Correct, it's not.

However, the 6" uses a larger "handle" and locking mechanism than the 4".

I have a 6" and 12" Starrett, and a bunch of others. The 6" is
hands-down my most used marking tool. I actually store it in my apron.

Barry

Barry is yours the 6" double or the combo?


"B a r r y" wrote in message
. ..
C & S wrote:
I started looking closely at the photos.

The 6" Starrett is *not* the 12 with a shorter blade.

Correct, it's not.

However, the 6" uses a larger "handle" and locking mechanism than the 4".

I have a 6" and 12" Starrett, and a bunch of others. The 6" is
hands-down my most used marking tool. I actually store it in my apron.

Barry

C & S wrote:
Barry is yours the 6" double or the combo?

Combination.

I didn't know they made a 6" double.

Barry

Excuse my ignorance, but can someone explain some of the advantages of a double square over a combination square? I have some of each, (used of course), but I have never been able to figure out the advantages of the double square. Thanks for educating me about something I've wondered about for years!

I had one and it was a good tool but I agree it was not very ergonomic. so I
infilled the hollow handle with some lignum vitae and that was better. I also
knocked off the sharp corners. now it was a good tool till I lost it. bought
another brand and it feels better in my hand.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

About 2 months ago I picked up a 4" double square AND a 6" double square
(both Starett) at a local pawn shop for a total price of $18.00 for the
pair. Both in very good condition. Even managed to talk the owner out of
$2.00 off the asking price. Makes great depth gauges for dados, router
tables. table saw, ect.

Mike



"Steve Knight" wrote in message
...
I had one and it was a good tool but I agree it was not very ergonomic. so
I
infilled the hollow handle with some lignum vitae and that was better. I
also
knocked off the sharp corners. now it was a good tool till I lost it.
bought
another brand and it feels better in my hand.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.