Empire vs Starrett (Shop Tool Talk)!

In this comparison we look at a couple of 6 inch combination squares. Is the Starrett worth the premium over the Empire? You decide!

[stoicllc]

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

[glenj.taylor]

Thank you for the comparison video.
It's videos like yours that help me really enjoy watching YouTube 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.

[yt]

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!

[brianbachmann]

I agree with your observations and would like to suggest trying the Swanson 6” one also. Thanks

[brianedward]

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

[dennisd]

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.

[robc]

Empire is Zinc & Starrett is cast iron. BTW Starrett invented the combination square in the 1800s it as one of their first tools.

[CraigularjJoeWoodworks]

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…

[felixf]

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....

[johngibson]

Can't believe that neither had metric on one side

[DrLumpy]

The "Star-Ette". Thanks - Lumpy

[ltwadley]

I clicked because of the pretty woman in the thumbnail, lol. Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[youtubehobbyists]

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.

[jbn]

I’ve got a Empire combination square and it’s dead on square based on my Woodpecker combination square at both 90° and 45°.

[BradsWorkbench]

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

[Krzysiek]

Did you inform that the rule in Starrett combination square is made from carbon steel and Empire rule is made from stainless steel .

[MarzNet]

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.

[chuckgrumble]

Empire goes out of square as the aluminum wears from the pads.

[melgross]

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.

[edwardwright]

If you email Empire they will send you a new clamp pin that will stop it slipping