The modern combination square was invented by Laroy S. Starrett in the late 1870s. He patented it in 1879 and went on to found the L. S. Starrett Company in 1881. This tool quickly became an essential multi-purpose layout and measuring tool for both machinists and woodworkers. Athol, Massachusetts is still the home of the L.S. Starrett company, run by son, Doug Starrett, in the same large brick building on the Millers River where it has been located for decades. While Starrett tools makes many forms of measuring tools, such as micrometers and rulers, it is the combination square that started the company and established Athol, MA as "Tool Town". The combination square shown by Tommy in the video is an LS Starrett tool, now highly collectible.
interesting info but that time frame (starting 1881) covers 143 years so I doubt the son is still running the company. Gotta be at least a grandson or great grandson.
Family story time. I grew up helping my carpenter father build houses, renos, cabinet making, etc. My dad wasn't a teacher so I was really there to just to act as a helper and whatever I picked up I picked up, and avoid making him mad. During all of that I recall my dad having a 12" Starrett combination square he used for everything and always had nearby. It was basically his speed square and along with a framing square he could get whatever design, measurement, or square line he needed. It wasn't in amazing shape, it was dropped, thrown, put in the tool box with other stuff, but it always worked perfectly and those etched numbers and lines were always visible and accurate. I don't know how square it was but locking mechanism was tight and it seemed pretty good for what we used it for. He probably bought it in the 1960's or 70's and was an old school tool that could be put to work and take whatever was thrown at it. Cut to a few decades later and I'm getting into fine woodworking myself and outfitting a shop and one of the first things I had to buy myself, brand new, was a 12" Starrett combination square so I could start my work. Sure enough it arrived and was just like the old one, but of course with crisp numbers, clean paint, and edges that were still keen and ready to be worn with years of use. And dead square accurate with a solid mechanism that just works. I'll get that old square from my dad some day and it will have a place of honour in my shop... and may even get used from time to time when I need a rough and ready square.
Every carpenter worth their weight has a speed square, combination square, and carpenter's square. Even better if you have at least two of each to use as calibration against each other. Even with USA manufacturers there is a difference in quality and accuracy between brands.
Still have my 12” combo from the late seventies. I was working part time while in college. Used it to layout push buttons and frame screws on custom electrical control panel. Never drop it or bent it or loaned it out.
When I used to make aluminum trim covers with a brake I would often have 2-3 combo squares set to make repeated measurements for different reveals from the brake jaw.
@@kenmore01 You could eyeball it and do a handy bendy but it seems like it would be extremely difficult, and the time spent would be better replaced with dollars to buy a new one.
I do this in the store if I’m buying a level or sometimes just to check quality; I couldn’t believe once at Lowe’s finding e levels in a row with all 3 being out of level.
I own and have used, for years, several combi squares. Even a couple "disposable" ones from dollar stores. Tell people you own a multi tool without saying you own a multi tool.
Ive been subscribed to this channel for like 3 years and not once has youtube showed thier videos in my stream. I dont think youtube likes this old house
1:37 combo square's are not very accurate, this is from some one who worked in a machine shop. They can be good for layout and to Inspect for square if its a rough cut Then you have cheap combo squar's that are not true and really precision tools that cost 100's of dollars like some high end Japanese brands. Sterrett was a all around good tool but igaging is a good set. Something you might get at harbor fright may not be worth using. It depends on the quality of work your trying to get. As with any job. You buy the tool that fits your trade. Then you make sure its true. A bad tool makes poor work.
Seems like every square I have ever seen is off by a smidge. When I was in a metal shop some years ago, we had 4 ft T-squares and even the new ones had to be tweaked till they were true, then clamped, drilled and new rivets installed to hold it there.
As a former machinist, I started out with a Starrett combo square. Still have it, and still accurate as the day I bought it, over 35 years ago. Not sure the test was entirely accurate, as I don't think even Tommy can find a piece of 2 by lumber anywhere with a dead straight edge.
My house was built in 1992, we have a AO White 6 year hot water heater 40gal gas this is 2024. No one has ever drained the tank or changed the rod! Ya think I'm safe?
is the water heater the original one for house? they usually have a date on them. all depends on the water in the house our water heaters last 20 years easily usually it just starts weeping a tiny bit and you see rust stains if it is in a place where a bit of water won't ruin floor you can just wait for signs of leakage.
I have watched TOH from show 1 back in '79. Ask TOH started because people were becoming irritated that TOH no longer showed relatively small fixes. This episode didn't really show anyone how to use a combination square. It shows Tom doing a couple things with one. He even said he used to use them but not so much now - he didn't say why or what he uses instead. The show has really become useless.
I’ve never seen how to check a square to make sure it’s square before. Very interesting. Thank you.
Kevin and Tommy are quite the combination.
They are squares!
I met Mr. Silva a few weeks ago at a Panera, he was with his wife. Both were incredibly nice and approachable.
You are lucky ! I wish i could meet him , he's my favorite on this show.
The modern combination square was invented by Laroy S. Starrett in the late 1870s. He patented it in 1879 and went on to found the L. S. Starrett Company in 1881. This tool quickly became an essential multi-purpose layout and measuring tool for both machinists and woodworkers.
Athol, Massachusetts is still the home of the L.S. Starrett company, run by son, Doug Starrett, in the same large brick building on the Millers River where it has been located for decades. While Starrett tools makes many forms of measuring tools, such as micrometers and rulers, it is the combination square that started the company and established Athol, MA as "Tool Town". The combination square shown by Tommy in the video is an LS Starrett tool, now highly collectible.
Great tool but very very expensive.
On the cheaper home depot brand ones the thumb screw doesn't hold the ruler well
interesting info but that time frame (starting 1881) covers 143 years so I doubt the son is still running the company. Gotta be at least a grandson or great grandson.
I own a 6 inch and have had it for a while. Didn't know all the details about it. Thanks!
Family story time. I grew up helping my carpenter father build houses, renos, cabinet making, etc. My dad wasn't a teacher so I was really there to just to act as a helper and whatever I picked up I picked up, and avoid making him mad. During all of that I recall my dad having a 12" Starrett combination square he used for everything and always had nearby. It was basically his speed square and along with a framing square he could get whatever design, measurement, or square line he needed. It wasn't in amazing shape, it was dropped, thrown, put in the tool box with other stuff, but it always worked perfectly and those etched numbers and lines were always visible and accurate. I don't know how square it was but locking mechanism was tight and it seemed pretty good for what we used it for. He probably bought it in the 1960's or 70's and was an old school tool that could be put to work and take whatever was thrown at it.
Cut to a few decades later and I'm getting into fine woodworking myself and outfitting a shop and one of the first things I had to buy myself, brand new, was a 12" Starrett combination square so I could start my work. Sure enough it arrived and was just like the old one, but of course with crisp numbers, clean paint, and edges that were still keen and ready to be worn with years of use. And dead square accurate with a solid mechanism that just works. I'll get that old square from my dad some day and it will have a place of honour in my shop... and may even get used from time to time when I need a rough and ready square.
Mr. Silva is a treasure trove of great information who is more than wiling to share his knowledge...Love it!
This TH-cam channel is the father I never had
The best! i seem to run into this dilemma whenever i start some new project: cost now, or pay with my time later
This is a very very good program.
Thanks, guys!
Great info. My dad had one of these as he was in roofing and sheet metal but I never knew what it was called or how to use it.
Every carpenter worth their weight has a speed square, combination square, and carpenter's square. Even better if you have at least two of each to use as calibration against each other. Even with USA manufacturers there is a difference in quality and accuracy between brands.
they are so good 😄
How does one adjust it if its out of square??? 🤨🤔
i love watching videos about squares
Still have my 12” combo from the late seventies. I was working part time while in college. Used it to layout push buttons and frame screws on custom electrical control panel. Never drop it or bent it or loaned it out.
Can i get a #12 combo meal please😂
@@OKTULSA918 hahah get your own. Just don’t get the chinesuim crap.
I wouldn't be so sure that was out of square until I tested it on something other than a piece of Home Depot 2x6.
How do no it's from home depot?
When I used to make aluminum trim covers with a brake I would often have 2-3 combo squares set to make repeated measurements for different reveals from the brake jaw.
keep going! how do I fix them?!
only problem with checking square for square on modern lumber is finding a straight board LOL
I love that tool.
It needs to be reintroduced into the work place ! ! !
A positive way to check any square for "square" is to compare it to a Starrett square.
Have Starrett in 24”12”6”&4” use it everyday
Two 12” and two 6” and a third 6” on order with a ship date of October 21st. Use them often and really appreciate Starrett’s quality.
Wish you showed how to square an out of square square.
They couldn't because you can't.
@@kenmore01 You could eyeball it and do a handy bendy but it seems like it would be extremely difficult, and the time spent would be better replaced with dollars to buy a new one.
Check my levels the same way. Take a reading, flip it 180, and take another.
I do this in the store if I’m buying a level or sometimes just to check quality; I couldn’t believe once at Lowe’s finding e levels in a row with all 3 being out of level.
I own and have used, for years, several combi squares. Even a couple "disposable" ones from dollar stores. Tell people you own a multi tool without saying you own a multi tool.
How do you "adjust" a square?
STARRETT all day every day !!!
Sonny is starting to learn. 😅
It's hip to be square!
How many combo squares are missing that little needle Mark point thing scribe
Ive been subscribed to this channel for like 3 years and not once has youtube showed thier videos in my stream. I dont think youtube likes this old house
1:37 combo square's are not very accurate, this is from some one who worked in a machine shop.
They can be good for layout and to
Inspect for square if its a rough cut
Then you have cheap combo squar's that are not true and really precision tools that cost 100's of dollars like some high end Japanese brands. Sterrett was a all around good tool but igaging is a good set. Something you might get at harbor fright may not be worth using. It depends on the quality of work your trying to get.
As with any job. You buy the tool that fits your trade. Then you make sure its true. A bad tool makes poor work.
Agreed. The fact that it's adjustable means it probably won't be accurate. It's probably good enough for many tasks, but don't blindly trust it.
I think the square is out half the distance between the two lines
I've been looking at a double square, but I don't see what advantages (if any) it has over a combination sq.
Anyone want to help me spend $?
Seems like every square I have ever seen is off by a smidge. When I was in a metal shop some years ago, we had 4 ft T-squares and even the new ones had to be tweaked till they were true, then clamped, drilled and new rivets installed to hold it there.
🇺🇸 👍
👍⭐️⭐️⭐️👏
👍📐
As a former machinist, I started out with a Starrett combo square. Still have it, and still accurate as the day I bought it, over 35 years ago. Not sure the test was entirely accurate, as I don't think even Tommy can find a piece of 2 by lumber anywhere with a dead straight edge.
I remember when cheaters squares came on the market
He said 3/8”….
You can see people are getting older ,,,,closer to retirement...
Bought one years ago because it looked interesting. This video shows why I don't use it :)
Tommy, do you have any tutorials without this guy in the way of explaining your experience?
My house was built in 1992, we have a AO White 6 year hot water heater 40gal gas this is 2024.
No one has ever drained the tank or changed the rod! Ya think I'm safe?
is the water heater the original one for house? they usually have a date on them.
all depends on the water in the house our water heaters last 20 years easily usually it just starts weeping a tiny bit and you see rust stains if it is in a place where a bit of water won't ruin floor you can just wait for signs of leakage.
I'm sorry, but it's possible the board is bowed as well... com'on Norm would know better...
You can test it with the ruler to be sure it's straight, but agreed.
I have watched TOH from show 1 back in '79. Ask TOH started because people were becoming irritated that TOH no longer showed relatively small fixes. This episode didn't really show anyone how to use a combination square. It shows Tom doing a couple things with one. He even said he used to use them but not so much now - he didn't say why or what he uses instead. The show has really become useless.
woah woah.. i would trust the tool way before the lumber being out of sq and i know nothing