All the additional quality control is where the added cost is coming from with starret. The QC is what ensures you are getting a square that is actually square
So it's possible to get an empire combi square that's just as accurate as the starret, but you might also get one that isn't? What makes a woodpecker speed square any more accurate than a Milwaukee or Empire? They're all stamped machine, yes?
Aluminum or zink does wear every time you take the ruler off then on. It slightly scrapes the accuracy away. Starrett "RULES " stays accurate pretty much for life!
Thank you for the comparison video. It's videos like yours that help me really enjoy watching TH-cam instead of the Boobtube. 😁 Although the cost of the Starrett is much more, I am an advocate of well made anything and I'll make most efforts to buy an American made product before anything else.
I wish it was a comparison video. You didn’t compare the level side by side or the ruler side by side. Just the fact that the black one was way better than the blue one. Cool
The Starrett shown in this video is forged and hardened steel. The cast iron ones have a textured matte finish. The hardened steel models have the glossy powder coating you see here.
@@cwell2112 a question if you read this, I have the same steel starrett in the video (bought new) but nowhere on the square head does it say starrett, it’s marked on the blade only. Is that normal?
I agree with Casper Juul Bertheiesn below. Years ago went to Starrett demo (drawing for free combo set) and the rep was saying how well made Starrett was compared to other brands. He pulled out an Empire he just bought on the way to the demo. He then showed how to tell if a square is square. The Empire was square out of the box and the Starrett was not.
I like combination squares. Have a bunch of US Stanleys and a couple of machinist grade rules with accessories - Lufkin and Brown & Sharpe. We have a tool thrift store in town and I pick one up every chance I get. Also have a newer Asian Irwin; it's surprisingly well built. Would love a Starrett. One day....
I should do a video about my squares. I have a ton, old and new. I’d say if you’re buying new check out igaging. You can get a 4” and 6” double square for around $26 I believe. They are my go to squares now. The rule is not as thick as a starrett but I think is made from spring steel. Very resilient
This Starrett model is made of forged steel so top of the range. A cheaper Starrett model is made of cast iron with wrinkle paint finish. This Empire is made of Aluminium, better than their plastic range, but the metal is soft and wearing out quicker and not as sturdy. Coming to the rulers, the Starrett is hardened with Chrome finish so it's absolutely sturdy and accurate but it can get rust so it needs to be taken care of. You can get cheaper Starrett with bare metal finish, it's still hardened and accurate but it needs more care for the corrosion. The Empire ruler is made of stainless steel, as it's not hardened so the accuracy and durability is questionable. This all comes down to what kind of work you are doing and how often you use them.
In Canada the premium forged starret is 200 for 150 millimetres and 255 for 300 millimeters… what and why are you complaining about the cost…. You pay a third of what I pay…
Just picked up a 12" cast iron version today at estate sale for $2. Cleaned it up and its perfect. Going back tommorow to get the center finder attachment. I didn't know what it waa at the time.
Empire squares don't stay "square" for very long. A square with a 16" rule, went out of square in 2 months of shop use. Yes, it was square when first purchased. But after two month of daily use, it went out of square. It would draw 'v's when flipped over left to right.
I believe it’s zinc, not aluminum. You can tell by the grey color and heavier weight. The Starrett is cast iron. Some are hardened cast iron. The ruler is better, look at the ends. You can see the difference. I’ve been using these things since I was a teenager, back in the mid 1960’s. The truth is that a cheap tool can be just as good for most non professionals as an expensive tool. The reason is simple, unless you’re actually using the tool and moving the head back and forth, tightening and untightening it numerous times a day, five days a week, the cheap tool will last just as long, for all practical purposes. Modern cheap tools are almost always made on CNC equipment. Metals are better than they were. The chance of getting one out of the box that’s accurate is very high. As long as you treat your tools carefully, cheap or expensive, they will serve you well.
I bought 3 starrett squares from Lee Valley. Two of them had some really not precise levels. Starrett claims that the level is with in tolerance! But it is very off - a lot more than even my cheap modern levels. I am not impressed. seems like starrett is loosing there quality.
You’re so full of crap on this video dude.. I’ve had zero issues with my empire combo and yes I own the Starrett set as well. I noticed you didn’t check them for square against each other which is the most important thing in a square. You’re just trying to justify your purchase imo. Is my starrett matched better than my empire? Yes. Is the empire going to wear out quicker? Probably but for most woodworking or cabinet building (which I do a ton of professionally) I can use either one. When I checked mine against each other I came up with 0.001” difference from one to the other. More than accurate enough for custom cabinets
All the additional quality control is where the added cost is coming from with starret. The QC is what ensures you are getting a square that is actually square
So it's possible to get an empire combi square that's just as accurate as the starret, but you might also get one that isn't?
What makes a woodpecker speed square any more accurate than a Milwaukee or Empire? They're all stamped machine, yes?
Aluminum or zink does wear every time you take the ruler off then on. It slightly scrapes the accuracy away. Starrett "RULES "
stays accurate pretty much for life!
I agree with your observations and would like to suggest trying the Swanson 6” one also. Thanks
Thank you for the comparison video.
It's videos like yours that help me really enjoy watching TH-cam instead of the Boobtube. 😁
Although the cost of the Starrett is much more, I am an advocate of well made anything and I'll make most efforts to buy an American made product before anything else.
Glad you liked it man!
I wish it was a comparison video. You didn’t compare the level side by side or the ruler side by side. Just the fact that the black one was way better than the blue one. Cool
Empire is Zinc & Starrett is cast iron. BTW Starrett invented the combination square in the 1800s it as one of their first tools.
The Starrett shown in this video is forged and hardened steel. The cast iron ones have a textured matte finish. The hardened steel models have the glossy powder coating you see here.
@@cwell2112 a question if you read this, I have the same steel starrett in the video (bought new) but nowhere on the square head does it say starrett, it’s marked on the blade only. Is that normal?
I agree with Casper Juul Bertheiesn below. Years ago went to Starrett demo (drawing for free combo set) and the rep was saying how well made Starrett was compared to other brands. He pulled out an Empire he just bought on the way to the demo. He then showed how to tell if a square is square. The Empire was square out of the box and the Starrett was not.
Can't believe that neither had metric on one side
The "Star-Ette". Thanks - Lumpy
I like combination squares. Have a bunch of US Stanleys and a couple of machinist grade rules with accessories - Lufkin and Brown & Sharpe. We have a tool thrift store in town and I pick one up every chance I get. Also have a newer Asian Irwin; it's surprisingly well built. Would love a Starrett. One day....
A thrift store for tools? You are a lucky S.O.B. lol.
I should do a video about my squares. I have a ton, old and new. I’d say if you’re buying new check out igaging. You can get a 4” and 6” double square for around $26 I believe. They are my go to squares now. The rule is not as thick as a starrett but I think is made from spring steel. Very resilient
Did you inform that the rule in Starrett combination square is made from carbon steel and Empire rule is made from stainless steel .
I’ve got a Empire combination square and it’s dead on square based on my Woodpecker combination square at both 90° and 45°.
For now...
but realistically the locking is what breaks in a year or 2
I clicked because of the pretty woman in the thumbnail, lol. Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
This Starrett model is made of forged steel so top of the range. A cheaper Starrett model is made of cast iron with wrinkle paint finish. This Empire is made of Aluminium, better than their plastic range, but the metal is soft and wearing out quicker and not as sturdy. Coming to the rulers, the Starrett is hardened with Chrome finish so it's absolutely sturdy and accurate but it can get rust so it needs to be taken care of. You can get cheaper Starrett with bare metal finish, it's still hardened and accurate but it needs more care for the corrosion. The Empire ruler is made of stainless steel, as it's not hardened so the accuracy and durability is questionable. This all comes down to what kind of work you are doing and how often you use them.
Yes. This is 33H model and it's head is forged. 11H is a cheaper model.
Empire is zinc, says so right on it.
In Canada the premium forged starret is 200 for 150 millimetres and 255 for 300 millimeters… what and why are you complaining about the cost…. You pay a third of what I pay…
Thank you for this video
Nothing beats Starrett...
Just picked up a 12" cast iron version today at estate sale for $2. Cleaned it up and its perfect. Going back tommorow to get the center finder attachment. I didn't know what it waa at the time.
Empire goes out of square as the aluminum wears from the pads.
Empire squares don't stay "square" for very long. A square with a 16" rule, went out of square in 2 months of shop use. Yes, it was square when first purchased. But after two month of daily use, it went out of square. It would draw 'v's when flipped over left to right.
If you email Empire they will send you a new clamp pin that will stop it slipping
I believe it’s zinc, not aluminum. You can tell by the grey color and heavier weight. The Starrett is cast iron. Some are hardened cast iron. The ruler is better, look at the ends. You can see the difference.
I’ve been using these things since I was a teenager, back in the mid 1960’s. The truth is that a cheap tool can be just as good for most non professionals as an expensive tool. The reason is simple, unless you’re actually using the tool and moving the head back and forth, tightening and untightening it numerous times a day, five days a week, the cheap tool will last just as long, for all practical purposes. Modern cheap tools are almost always made on CNC equipment. Metals are better than they were. The chance of getting one out of the box that’s accurate is very high. As long as you treat your tools carefully, cheap or expensive, they will serve you well.
You are dead on. The tool is only as good as the guy using it or the materials it is applied to.
he has the steel version silly
Is that the forged or cast iron starrett?
Forged steel.
$75? Holy shit sticks batman. I just got into woodworking and got empire and thought they were at the high price point but never mind now....
That's funny lol
ill only buy Starrett
I bought 3 starrett squares from Lee Valley. Two of them had some really not precise levels. Starrett claims that the level is with in tolerance! But it is very off - a lot more than even my cheap modern levels. I am not impressed. seems like starrett is loosing there quality.
Sorry but this is a horrible comparison video.
Absolutely agree.. never even did a side by side comparison for accuracy which is the most important thing!!!
You’re so full of crap on this video dude.. I’ve had zero issues with my empire combo and yes I own the Starrett set as well. I noticed you didn’t check them for square against each other which is the most important thing in a square. You’re just trying to justify your purchase imo. Is my starrett matched better than my empire? Yes. Is the empire going to wear out quicker? Probably but for most woodworking or cabinet building (which I do a ton of professionally) I can use either one. When I checked mine against each other I came up with 0.001” difference from one to the other. More than accurate enough for custom cabinets