Cheap Machinist Squares?

[Szdfan]

I’ve been spending some time shopping for machinist squares to help with some of my projects. I’m looking for something like this —

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machini ... hinist.jpg

I’m finding cheap Chinese made ones on EBay and elsewhere.

While I’m not looking to use them for super precise projects, I do need them to actually be 90 degrees.

I’m aware that while certain tools are expensive, not all tools need to be expensive. Is this something I can get away with buying a cheaper product? Are cheap Chinese squares actually square?

[Neto]

My guess is that while they very well may be "perfectly" square when you get it, a cheap one may well not hold together well enough to remain square.

I have a Starrett protractor head that can be used on any combination square.

Like the head in the center at the start of this video:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source= ... 3806367742

Now I'd just like to add a 16 or 24 inch ruler to it.

Edit: to answer your basic question - Can you get by with a cheaper brand? - I'd say it depends on the degree of accuracy you demand in your work. A gear for a bicycle does not require the same degree of accuracy as a gear in a watch.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Have you considered "Harbor Freight Tools?' They have a store near me, and their hand tools appear ok. I got a really good digital micrometer there, and I am quite happy.

J.M.

[Szdfan]

Have you considered "Harbor Freight Tools?' They have a store near me, and their hand tools appear ok. I got a really good digital micrometer there, and I am quite happy.

J.M.

There’s one about 1.5 hours from me. My understanding is that Harbor Freight is also known for cheap, low quality tools. Is that right?

[Judas Maccabeus]

Have you considered "Harbor Freight Tools?' They have a store near me, and their hand tools appear ok. I got a really good digital micrometer there, and I am quite happy.

J.M.

There’s one about 1.5 hours from me. My understanding is that Harbor Freight is also known for cheap, low quality tools. Is that right?

More or less correct. Their hand tools seem ok, and I have a number of them. Drill bits are very much another story. They simply don’t seem to last.

Power tools are marginal. I would not buy their cordless tools at all.


J.M.

[Neto]

Some guys who use tools in ways which they know are going to be abusive will buy HF tools because when it is ruined by the constant use or use in really dirty environments they can easily just buy a new one, when they would really hate to use a quality tool in that same environment, or at that same level of constant use.

But for precision tools, I wouldn't use their products. Again, however, it depends on the degree of accuracy demanded by the task. Other places also make plastic calipers, which I imagine would be fine for verifying the size of bolts, etc., but you wouldn't catch a machinist using one at the lathe. (Fine for wood lathe work too, for sure.)

[Judas Maccabeus]

Some guys who use tools in ways which they know are going to be abusive will buy HF tools because when it is ruined by the constant use or use in really dirty environments they can easily just buy a new one, when they would really hate to use a quality tool in that same environment, or at that same level of constant use.

But for precision tools, I wouldn't use their products. Again, however, it depends on the degree of accuracy demanded by the task. Other places also make plastic calipers, which I imagine would be fine for verifying the size of bolts, etc., but you wouldn't catch a machinist using one at the lathe. (Fine for wood lathe work too, for sure.)

Ultimately, you get what you pay for.

J.M.

[barnhart]

I’ve been spending some time shopping for machinist squares to help with some of my projects. I’m looking for something like this —

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machini ... hinist.jpg

I’m finding cheap Chinese made ones on EBay and elsewhere.

While I’m not looking to use them for super precise projects, I do need them to actually be 90 degrees.

I’m aware that while certain tools are expensive, not all tools need to be expensive. Is this something I can get away with buying a cheaper product? Are cheap Chinese squares actually square?

What type of work are you doing. For woodworking, Harbor Freight measuring tools will work fine. I use their 6" fractional dial caliper every day. I'm on my second one because I dropped the first one too many times.

[Szdfan]

What type of work are you doing. For woodworking, Harbor Freight measuring tools will work fine. I use their 6" fractional dial caliper every day. I'm on my second one because I dropped the first one too many times.

Mostly model building for starters, but I did play around with light woodworking for a while and would like to do that again once I can get a shop set up again.

[barnhart]

A slightly more expensive but much better option is tooling by igaging. These are precision instruments for 20 to 40 dollars. I find the 6" double square is the most used in my shop.