Top 4 Most Used Woodworking Squares
Woodnetter Zane Moseley wants a new square. He went to his fellow WoodNetters and said: “I’m thinking of buying a quality square like a Starrett or Incra that will last for years and give trustworth readings. The 12″ starrett combo square seems a bit long. They have a 4″ double square that looks pretty appealing. Incra also makes a “guaranteed square”. Which should I get?”
What follows is a fantastic weighing-in of the Woodnetters - here’s the full thread if you’d like to check it out: What type of square do you use most often?
I tallied responses and then went digging for similar threads in other woodworking forums to bring you the top 4 most used woodworking squares…
1) Starrett: 22 overall
Starrett 4″ double square: 6
12″ Starrett combo square: 6
6″ Starrett combo square: 5
6″ Starrett double square: 2
Starrett Reviews from LumberJocks:
Starrett Fixed Square Review
Starrett 4-Inch Double Square, 12-Inch Combination Square
(Note that Starrett squares came in at #9 on the top 11 tools that bring 100% satisfaction.)
2) Bridge City Squares: 3 Overall
Bridge City Universal Square: 1
Bridge City CS-12 combination square: 1
3) Veritas Squares: 3 Overall
Veritas Saddle Square: 3
4) Lee Valley Squares: 3 Overall
Lee Valley 4″ double square: 1
LV double square: 1
Everyone Else by Brand:
Swanson Speed Squres: 2 Overall
Harbor Freight Squares: 2 overall
Stanley Squares: 2 Overall
Stanley 12″ combo squares: 2
PEC Squares: 1 Overall
4″ double square: 1
Incra Squares: 1 overall
Mitutoyo squares: 1 overall
Forum sources for these numbers:
What type of square do you use most often?
If you were a square
When is a square not a square?
Starrett adjustable square, or who…?
Other Resources:
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better
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Mike Says:
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Don’t chuck your inexpensive squares. I use many different ones depending on the application. My favorite is a Crown 6″ try square. It’s well made and is an excellent choice for general squaring of lumber. I also use a very inexpensive 9″ Indian rosewood square. when checked against a dead on Starret it is right on the money. You don’t need to spend a small fortune just ask a few questions and by all means take a test piece to the store to check ANY square.