Combination Squares Oh My

[Grandpadave52]

So a week or so ago, I posted on a recent Craftsman Machinist combo square I added to my growing stable. As I noted then, I didn't need it, but it was $2 and needed a rust revival...

Why didn't I really need it? Well...

 

Sorry pictures aren't the greatest but I was (am still) fighting cold cooties.

Before picture conditions for most of these appear in other threads, so I won't bore you here.

Top one: Craftsman Machinist recently purchased; one below w/ red strap I bought a few weeks ago for ~$1; I thought was a a cheapo Taiwan since that's what the square head was labeled; it was missing the retaining bolt/nut/spring

After some serious clean-up of the blade, turns out it was a mismatch; The blade is marked Made in U.S.A., No.1270 M F Co. (Millers-Falls)...sometimes a blind squirrel finds a nut too.

Next two below top: 12" has been my go to for a long time; bought new ~1975; It's a John Deere made by Stanley; 6" is an Empire probably ~1977-78; bought new at Furrow Lumber Company;

To their right: 18" is a Starrett blade; I think I gave a buck for it but was in pretty good condition after rust revival; the square head is ???; bought at  flea market or yard sale for a buck or less;  the center head bought at a flea market for a couple bucks if I remember correctly? It appears to have rust on the leg but must be a shadow b/c it's clean

Two at bottom of picture: Black square head is Union Tool Co, Mass.; Gray square head, is a Corsair which eventually was bought by Empire; the second square head is unmarked, but was complete so I made a caliper of sorts

 

Blue angle head: Stanley No.125. It was missing the retaining bolt/nut/spring but the darker blue Stanley square head to the right become a donor; The two holes in the blade and near the square head body are where the previous owner drilled and put in a couple screws after he lost/broke the bolts/nut; I gave a buck or two for it and maybe a buck for the two heads; The Stanley is well suited for rough carpentry and can be positioned to lay out studs 16" OC.

 One immediately below: It's an older Great Neck blade bought at a yard  for a quarter maybe? The square head was later added: all the extra square heads have been purchased for a buck or less;

The 4 pc set at the bottom: Is a Starrett Machinist; it belonged to my grand-father; My best guess it is from the late 1940's; It's been tucked away since early 1995 after my dad died; I started the refurb on it late last fall...still a ways to go.

The square head nut is stowed away

 

A little better view of the Starrett

 

Almost forgot this one. A 6", no markings except Made in England; the blade is aluminum versus steel; it's got a couple waves in it, but hey for 50 cents...

 

So did I need the Craftsman? But since I didn't have a Craftsman before, I suppose I did? Believe it or not, I've passed on several but they're usually too pricey...sometimes $3-$5 or more...will I buy more? If the price is right and the square head speaks to me. Maybe someday I'll get paroled from the National Weather Service and put on work release. Until then, this is the best I can do.

Thanks for looking.

Edited February 23, 2018 by Grandpadave52

[lew]

Nice collection, Dave!

[Dadio]

Square heads talking to you?? Hmmmmmm.............Never heard of that before.

Herb

[Stick486]

nice...

not only that.............

there's enough for everybody...

[HandyDan]

Nice Dave.  You're in good company because

 

[Cal]

What's the magic number - 25?  This is a good start to a collection Dave.  No need to call the men in white coats yet!

[HandyDan]

2 hours ago, Cal said:

What's the magic number - 25?  This is a good start to a collection Dave.  No need to call the men in white coats yet!

I think I might top the magic number 25.  The squares seem to just appear from nowhere around here.  Might have to look into the reason why that happens.

[Al B]

You're getting quite a collection there Dave. Now, looking at the photos, everyone can see why I like the Starrett. You can easily read the scale on the blades, right to the edge of the blade. The reverse side is calibrated to 1/32's and 1/64th. Should still be easily read. As a welding fabricator, the Starrett really came in handy.

If I have a collection of anything, it has to be "DRILL BITS". I must have hundreds of them.

[HARO50]

2 hours ago, It Was Al B said:

If I have a collection of anything, it has to be "DRILL BITS". I must have hundreds of them.

Any sharp ones?

John

[Al B]

23 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

Any sharp ones?

John

Hmmmm! Maybe that's why I have so many.  

[HARO50]

I've got a Drill Doctor, now all I need is a Round Tuit!

John

[Grandpadave52]

14 hours ago, Dadio said:

Square heads talking to you?? Hmmmmmm.............Never heard of that before.

Herb

Probably not listening to those little voices like I do

[Gerald]

I started my collection with Starett form my FIL. Did not even know what is was till someone was talking about them and checked. some have Craftsman blades. Always a good idea to have one at each workstation. But hey you have to have extras for apron and bench and there is the ones you forgot where you left them. Dave you may have to put the collection on exhibit and charge admission so you can buy more.

[Grandpadave52]

3 hours ago, It Was Al B said:

If I have a collection of anything, it has to be "DRILL BITS". I must have hundreds of them.

 Geez Al, I didn't even think about those...now I've got to regroup I've got bit sets, partial bit sets, open stash, long ones, shorts ones, left hand, SAE, metric, spade, Forstner, hole saw, morse taper...now my head hurts again

2 hours ago, HARO50 said:

Any sharp ones?

John

You mean they have to be sorted too?

[Grandpadave52]

19 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Always a good idea to have one at each workstation. But hey you have to have extras for apron and bench and there is the ones you forgot where you left them. Dave you may have to put the collection on exhibit and charge admission so you can buy more.

OK, I thought I might be alone thinking like this, but you've given me hope Gerald.

Of course this display was ONLY the Combo Squares...doesn't include the framing, roofing, speed , carpenter,  drywall, tri, rafter, sliding t-bevel, drafting, or machinist squares. It's hopeless, I'm a "square dude."

[kmealy]

Nice collection working set.  To borrow a phrase from another group,  "Daddy has a combination square problem, honey."

[Grandpadave52]

Just now, kmealy said:

"Daddy has a combination square problem, honey."

I figure it will draw a more diverse bidding group at the Estate Sale.

[kmealy]

 

Edited February 23, 2018 by kmealy