Who makes a reasonably priced combo square?

[smyrna5]

I'm sick of trying to use my cheesy 6" and 12" combo squares of unknown parentage and that won't stay tight and true. I don't think I am ready for a Starrett yet, so who makes a good reliable and sturdy 6" combo square for a reasonable price?

[Howie F]

Finewoodworking magazine did a review of Combination squares -
As was expected Starrett cam out on top.

The rated the following Stanley model as the best "lower price" square

from there review...

STANLEY TOOLS
Model 46-123
Cost
$16.21 for two-piece set
Comments
This was the best tool among
the inexpensive models. Extra
steps were taken in the
manufacture of the blade,
leading to a superior product.
Although the lockbolt rotated
freely, it did not fall out of
the head. The blade was
reversed easily.

[Wyoming]

Is that Spam I smell cooking in here?

Smyrna. try going with Starrett, but do it on eBay. I've filled 2 1/2 Gerstner boxes with Starrett and Mitotoyo tools off of eBay without hitting a dog in the bunch. Most were nearly as cheap as the Chinese copies they stood in for. If memory serve, I paid around $35 for a 12" Starrett combination square with optional center and protractor heads. Pay close attention to the auction photos and feedback and you should do okay. There has been a lot more equipment, tools and tooling on eBay lately as the economy has started to slow down with high fuel prices.

Keep an eye on this one...
cgi.ebay.com/STARRETT-6-COMBINATION-SQUARE-AND-CENTER-HEAD-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ250258840395QQihZ015QQcategoryZ58246Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Jerry]

I would advise to go Starret.

[Rocky D]

No doubt Starrets are great, but for welding work, I find the Stanley 6" and 16" squares serve me just fine.

[delgado]

sears has a nice 1 for about $20 its not craftsman cant remember the name but it holds true and slide with ease...its a johnson 16" i think

[BillDaCatt]

For most of my work, a Johnson combo square works just fine. I think HD carries Johnson and Empire. Both are decent and durable.

For super accuracy at a fair price I also have this adjustable square.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18433&filter=precision%20square
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/37480-01-200.jpg

When I first got mine I was shocked as to how small it was and thought I would never use it. As time went on though, I found more and more uses for it and loved knowing that any mistakes I made were not due to inferior measuring tools, just an inferior user. ;)