Subject: Re: Machinist squares-who sells good but cheap?.

From: [email-masked]
Date: 7 Dec 1996 22:25:58 GMT

Good and Cheap are Oxmorons.  The two are not able to be used in a
rational manner.  I recommend that you look at Mitutoyo's at about $125.00
for the Hardend set its about the least expensive that I'd buy.  As for
Enco,  as a last resort I'd buy a drill for one time use from Enco. 
Lately 90% of what I have seen there has been junk.  Something has
happened to their purchasing department and they seem to have lost the
ability to find inexpensive quality tools and accessories.  Up until the
last couple of years I bought from Enco but at the present time I
wouldn't.

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From: Kevin Meier <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 17:03:45 -0500

E.M.Bortmes wrote:
> 
> I need a good 12 inch machinist square for use in my woodworking
> projects.  IF accurate to 0.001 inch in the 12, that would be great.
> Will the ones made in India or China be that accurate, and at an
> inexpensive price.  Would Enco have such, or if not, who should I
> contact?  Appreciate help.

The general consensus is that Starret makes some of the finest tools
of this sort around. I recently had a reason to call Starret to find
out just how straight the scale on a combination square would be.
The answer is .001" per 12".  The squareness won't be any better than
that, probably just a little worse.

The Starret will probably set you back around $50. I would guess that
you don't call that inexpensive, but the India and China ones are not
likely to be even as good as the Starret.

For woodworking, I am not sure I see why you need that level of
accuracy, you might want to re-evaluate how accurate a square you
need.

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 07:07:23 GMT

>contact?  Appreciate help.
Almost every square in the US is made by the same mfg. they sell to
Starrett, B&S, Mitutoyo, Fowler, SPI... Don't buy Chinese   Your best
deal will be J&L, PTS, MSC or DoALL, Enco. They usually have inventory
on these and can deliver the same day. You can probably get a good
deal at these places, and get a new, quality tool at a good price.

Ask the phone rep for AMERICAN MADE and they have both. If you get a
"import tool", let them know and make a return. 

If you buy from a reputable company, like the ones listed, you should
have no problems.

Good Luck!
Fred

--------------------------------------
Fowler Tools & Instruments
Company Pages: http://www.fvfowler.com
Email: [email-masked]
--------------------------------------

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From: "Les Whitaker" <[email-masked]>
Date: 12 Dec 1996 02:19:24 GMT

Excuse me, but why do you need .001 accuracy for woodworking? Humidity will
induce changes > .001 on a given day, unless you're fortunate enough to be
working in a climate-controlled environment. Just wondering. Les Whitaker

E.M.Bortmes <[email-masked]> wrote in article
<[email-masked]>...

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From: Bob
Date: 8 Dec 1996 06:56:54 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, 
[email-masked] says...
>rational manner.  

You can make good squares out of cheap for a couple of bux and about 
15-20 minutes per square.  Detailed info in Lautard's "Machinist's
Bedside Reader", simplified as below:

1. Break all edges with 600 grit carborundum paper backed by a block.
2. Pick any three squares from the set and label them A, B, & C (or 1, 2, 
& 3, etc.)
3. Compare A with B, and using 600 or 1200 carbo paper, adjust B's blade
to match A.
4. Compare A with C, and adjust C.
5. Compare B with C. The error is double the error in A.
6. Correct A, and repeat 3, 4, & 5 until all 3 squares agree.
7. Correct the inside edges using any of the squares you have just 
finished.
You now have squares that are as accurate as any made by Starrett, B&S, 
or anyone else, although the feel may not be to Starrett standards.

Bob ;{)