Peachtree special on 2 6" squares = $39.99

[supper shaun]

Does anyone own any of these? Seems like a good deal....

http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_072508.htm

[LCHIEN]

I'm not familiar with the Peachtree ones.
I have HF comination square/protractor/centerfinder that cost $8. and I have A starrett set I got used for $60 that costs $140 to replace new, now.
I also have a couple of Stanley combination squares (only, no protractor/centerfinder, one is 40 years old - my dad's).
My point is, There's a definate range to the price and quality, so you have to have it hands on or know what you're getting by reputation to judge the dollar's worth, can't make judgement from a catalog page.

Incidentally the HF is a piece of junk and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Its hard to read, the parts don't move or slide smoothly and the finish is abhorrent. I never got so far as to check the accuracy.
The Starrett set is nice but I don't really think its more accurate than the Stanleys, I usually use the Stanleys which I chase all around the shop and the Starrett stays in the case. The finish on the Starrett is nice, but doesn't help appreciably in the shop.
Oh, I keep the Starrett set in the wood box the HF came in. The Starrett, for all the money, had no case.

[mnmphd]

I concur on the HF unit. I pulled the ruler out as a straight edge and put the
rest in my scrap bin. I have a set of Craftsman (6,12,&16 in). I can't
compare to the Starret, but they are better than the previous piece
I had (empire bought at HD years ago).

MNM

[LCHIEN]

P.S. 6" is pretty short for everyday use. I have a 6" for when the 12" is too big to slip into places or wants to fall off because of the overhang, but 99% I use the 12".

For what it is, $80 reg. price seems pretty steep, it should be real nicely made, even at $40 on sale 50% off its not exactly cheap.

[messmaker]

Try Hartville hardware or Grizzly. The double square is less than $20 at either.It looks to be exactly the same as the Hartville tool unit. Grizzly has a 12" combination set for about $25. A 6" Swanson combination Square from Lowes is pretty nice and will only set you back about $8. Both of these squares are tuneable if necessary. Peachtree is wanting a premium price for an unknown tool. You might want to check out E-Bay for a good combination square.

This might be a good one to follow.It is a quality brand, just not as well known as some.http://cgi.ebay.com/Combination-Squa...QQcmdZViewItem

[themachine]

Saw one

I went to the Peachtree store yesterday and saw one in person. The blade (ruler) is hardened stainless and looks very nice. The castings are well done but the edges are sharp. They made no effort to smooth them over a little. The finish is not nearly as nice as a Starrett. The head did not slide smoothly on the blade, but maybe that is because they are new. With a little use, who knows. Can't say about the accuracy or squareness. In any case, they are out of stock until Monday at the earliest. Never showed up from their supplier.
The Peachtree people are very nice to work with and helpful, but I might pass on this one.

[SARGE..g-47]

Does anyone own any of these? Seems like a good deal....

http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_072508.htm

Give Peachtree a call in Atlanta tomorrow, Shaun. Ask for Dave as you may get his wife back in the phone order center. Ask him just how good it is and you can pretty much trust his opinion as he is a well seasoned WW and will not speak with a forked tongue.

Good luck...

[Andrew Benedetto]

Try Hartville hardware or Grizzly. The double square is less than $20 at either.It looks to be exactly the same as the Hartville tool unit. Grizzly has a 12" combination set for about $25. A 6" Swanson combination Square from Lowes is pretty nice and will only set you back about $8. Both of these squares are tuneable if necessary. Peachtree is wanting a premium price for an unknown tool. You might want to check out E-Bay for a good combination square.

This might be a good one to follow.It is a quality brand, just not as well known as some.http://cgi.ebay.com/Combination-Squa...QQcmdZViewItem

If you want a good combo square made in USA then HD has Empire Pro blue vial for about $10, the swanson is made in China. Stanley is good in the contractor model, yellow but the rule is not SS like the Empire , they are made in the UK., bought some at Sears and Amazon. I prefer the Empire I just bought.
I have found no center squares locally. That is what I need.
Amazon has this , made in the USA for $37

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...XEX51&v=glance

[messmaker]

If you want a good combo square made in USA then HD has Empire Pro blue vial for about $10, the swanson is made in China. Stanley is good in the contractor model, yellow but the rule is not SS like the Empire , they are made in the UK., bought some at Sears and Amazon. I prefer the Empire I just bought.
I have found no center squares locally. That is what I need.
Amazon has this , made in the USA for $37

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...XEX51&v=glance

I agree with everything Andrew says except for the Empire square. They make a big claim on accuracy but if you read closer it is on the level. They use aluminum for the head and locking pin on several models. They also put plastic inserts In the head for the blade to ride on. I know they are made in the U.S. but they have cut corners. I would rate the Lower priced squares like this.

Swanson
Stanley
Johnson(head is pretty good but rule quality and adjustment feels rough)
Ace
Harbor Freight( Loring will die that it's not last)
Sears(sturdy but not square)
Mays
Empire

I suspect Ace are made by Johnson and Sears are made by Stanley but I don't have anything to back that up.
Almost all can be tuned with a needle file(to adjust to square) and a wire brush to work on the rough edge of the locking screw.

[Andrew Benedetto]

The model I bought has no plastic parts except for the level. The pin is plated steel[I know because I reversed them because I prefer the rule the opposite way from the way the come from the factory] ,the body Al machined polished heavy casting, and is square when I compare it to a machinist square. This is their "Tru Blue Pro" line at HD.
Check them out they are really good combo squares much better than their standard ones.
http://contractorservices.homedepot....e-e1bd2321b1bf

[LCHIEN]

...
Harbor Freight( Loring will die that it's not last)
...

Didn't even hurt me.

But those other ones must be really terrible.

[messmaker]

The model I bought has no plastic parts except for the level. The pin is plated steel[I know because I reversed them because I prefer the rule the opposite way from the way the come from the factory] ,the body Al machined polished heavy casting, and is square when I compare it to a machinist square. This is their "Tru Blue Pro" line at HD.
Check them out they are really good combo squares much better than their standard ones.
http://contractorservices.homedepot....e-e1bd2321b1bf

I suspect that they may have a better line that I have not seen because I have heard a couple other people praise them but the ones I have seen are not well made.

[TKsDust]

If you want a good combo square made in USA then HD has Empire Pro blue vial for about $10, the swanson is made in China. Stanley is good in the contractor model, yellow but the rule is not SS like the Empire , they are made in the UK., bought some at Sears and Amazon. I prefer the Empire I just bought.
I have found no center squares locally. That is what I need.
Amazon has this , made in the USA for $37

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...XEX51&v=glance

The yellow Stanley in the 12" Combo square is a great value and Amazon used to have them. Possibly Western Tool stores too.

I don't know why you would buy the Pec tool or other double squares when you can get a Starret with free shipping for almost the same price:
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-13A-D...7475748&sr=1-1
I even paid almost the same price for a Lee Valley version and it is difficult to get it to adjust freely and lock firmly enough. I had to buy the Starret.
I use the Starret 6" Double Square constantly for layout, tool adjustment, remodeling, offsets/reveals, etc. Probably one of my most used tools and highly recommended.

[Andrew Benedetto]

The 4" one is $37, 6" is $57 @amazon