I have an Irwin combination square that I have found to be frustrating to set with any confidence. Looking to get a new combo square. Not wanting to invest in a Starrett (although maybe that would inspire me to greatness 🤔 😉). Any recommendations on a solid, mid-priced option are appreciated.

Couple I've looked at:

igaging

PEC (more pricy option)

I bought an iGaging 6" square (not the combo version). It was not accurate. So I have shied away from that brand. There is a method of "adjustment" to bring them into square but it involves filing the base of the slot. I'm not that good!

How to adjust-

Mine say Swanson......and a Stanley Defiance....

PEC makes top quality squares. You might save some money by checking at Harry J Epstein, a KCMO retailer that carries some bleminshed PEC (and other brands) tools. I've bought several things from them, including some PEC stuff and on everything I've bought the blemushes were insignificant.

Look on eBay and you will find lots of Starrett at reasonable prices. Of note there are some who think they are made of gold. I think I have found 6 or 7 this way. Note there are many variations in the markings on the rule, from engineer to metric.

This popped up in my email today-

https://taytools.com/lasquare-12-inch-4r-2-piece-combination-square--saddle-square-available-in-12-inch-18-inch-24-inch?slug=lasquare-12-inch-4r-2-piece-combination-square--saddle-square-available-in-12-inch-18-inch-24-inch&cid=3174&Brand=lasquare&c=0&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-08-08-August-Deals

Starrett has really slipped the last few years, be very careful of them if you end up looking that way. I have bought lots of old Starrett and Brown & Sharpe stuff on ebay for the machine shop at my old observatory. The machinist was always happy with them and knew how to calibrate stuff himself.

I've also heard good things about PEC

I have a 6" Swanson that I picked up maybe 20 years ago at HD. I've been surprised how much I use it and how well it's lasted. The scribe always falls out and gets lost so I keep it in a drawer. Same thing happens with the good combo squares so it's not really a solveable problem! I always associated Swanson with the "squammer" - their solid speed square - a tool I never liked but always found useful in spite of the dislike.

It's funny how the reputation influences us even after we have some experience that disproves that reputation. It took me 20 years to appreciate a squammer and kinda doubt the quality of Starrett made after the mid 2000's.

I have a 12" Empire combination square that I bought at Home Depot. It works great!

... and an old 12" Stanley one...

And several Lee Valley "Precision Double Squares like these... both 4" and 6"

I use these Lee Valley Precision Double Squares the most.

I also have these LV Saddle Squares and use them constantly as I do almost all hand tool work.

Cheers!

MrRick

Edited Thursday at 03:02 PM1 day by MrRick