Starrett vs iGaging - Battle of the Double Squares | Review

Let's take a look at if the $18 4” iGaging Precision Double Square can hold its own against the $82 Starrett 4” 13A. I went with a double square instead of a combination square because I almost never use the 45 degree of the combination square and I would like a tool that can also take the place of a machinist square if possible.

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[lancelot]

Excellent presentation. I like to buy American as long as it is worth it and truly "Made in the USA" and not in the USA (but made anywhere but in the USA). One essential feature for me, as far as I am concerned, regardless of the origin and/or name of the product, is that a "square" should be "square". There is no excuse for a square not producing parallel lines or scribe marks. Ciao, L

[cameronmccreary]

All my life, I've used to Tesa and Roche ( non-adjustable ground squares. Both squares are ground from the solid and I've only had to recalibrate one square once in my lifetime. Recalibration involves regrinding and constantly checking and then finally lapping the fine edges. I usually end up paying over $150 per 100 mm. Thanks for the presentation and I did subscribe and I like the channel.

[StrokeRoll]

Excellent comparison and review! I'm new to woodworking and just a few months ago purchased my first combination square, a 12“ Starrett 4R with the additional center finder and protractor heads.

I acknowledge that some will say that this is overkill for my current capabilities as a beginner and that I've wasted money that I could have invested in other tools.

I think that 'expensive' is subjective. Every time I use the Starrett (very frequently) I appreciate the quality of the materials and manufacturing. I also have verified its accuracy and trust that it will remain true after years of use.

To me, that level of confidence and enjoyment in using the tool is well worth the expense of the Starrett.

I'm fortunate to be able to prioritize quality and accuracy over price. To be fair, I do own several iGaging tools (setup block set, marking knife, machinist squares, etc...) and think that they are a great value. When it comes to squares, though, I'll probably continue to opt for Starrett (or possibly Woodpeckers) in the future.

[salplus]

I got the igaging square as a Christmas present and am pretty happy with it. Glad to hear that it's a decent product for a great price. Thanks for the review and comparison.

[martinhawrylkiewicz]

Great comparison review. I just got 6" and 4" double square iGaging squares and they are all true squares... But one thing I have noticed right away is that there is a slight wobble from side to side of the ruler when fully locked in the handle. I don't think that's normal .. my Empire combination square locks super solid without any wobble anywhere... Not sure if my double square is defective...

[MarkSWilliams]

I recently purchased an iGaging 4" double square. From Taylor Tool Works in Missouri.
It's not too bad, but not very smooth to adjust like a Starrett. That said, I messed around with it a bit and now find it fairly acceptable. What I did was very gently (gently!) run a round file in the groove of the blade (ruler). In addition, I added a washer between the locking nut and the unit. That really made it slide better. Wasn't that easy to do however!
I plan to find a nylon washer and try that. I think changing the orientation of the blade from say 64ths to 1/8th for instance is quite tedious compared to a Starrett. But, at $85-90 vs. $18 or so I guess I can put up with this. My iGaging is quite accurate as far as being square.
I'd be interested in trying a PEC.

[lym]

The Woodpecker Mini in-Dexable Double Square 4-inch is great but expensive. I wish I could afford more Woodpecker tools.

[michaelpeavey]

I purchased a 6" I-Gaging combination square. The head dragged rather than move smoothly. I disassembled the square and went to work with a jewelers file. The operation is smoother now. I used some mineral spirits on the blade to clean it and found the blade info harder to read.

[SkypowerwithKarl]

It’s good to know Starrett quality is back but I’d only be a buyer if I actually hand inspect each item not blindly order. Twenty years ago I bought a machinist square set and if it was heavier at least it would be a good doorstop. Twenty five years ago I purchased ten 6” dial calipers because it actually saved me money to tell my crew to take their old ones home. Within a week all the new calipers failed. They were replaced with Mitutoyo and they lasted. It’ll be a while before I blindly trust Starrett again. I really wanted to buy American.

[markkoons]

As an old guy, I've been "ruint" by Starrett's quality. When you know you're in this tool thing for as long as you can still sit upright, anything less won't do. Brown & Sharpe has traditionally met or exceeded Starrett's quality though I don't know whether that still holds true or their current pricing. I'm looking for high quality metric-only squares in both 100 mm and 200 mm length. Anyone have a suggestion?

[Gotmovezlikejagga]

Like a lot of people budget is always a factor. There are however, certain tools you use every time you build with wood and a Starrett square is the best for 2 consistent reasons in every review and comparison. These two areas are accuracy and smoothness or feel. While the igaging is ok for the price the square is a tool worth spending for premium. While a measuring tape doesn't need to be accurate. If you use the same tape to measure throughout a project then the actual size of a component will be the same even if the tape is off. Just a personal observation from someone who has gone down the road of cheaper square to expensive.

[Bogie]

ALL my squares are Starrett and they are within 1 tenthou. There are some tools that you should just suck it up and buy the good ones. There are no cheap tools. They either work or they do no and quality usually provides comfort in use and accuracy.

[MMWoodworking]

Yeah, this is a pretty good summary of the lower end of pro-level tools, and the higher end, for woodworkers. If you have the money, Starrett/Woodpecker/Incra and a few others are the gold standard, and will not disappoint. iGaging is in that sweet spot where you will get enough accuracy for most things that you will never notice, and even a professional woodworker will be fine with an igaging for most things. I know a true fine furniture maker who uses iGaging for most things because he is old school and just can't believe anyone would pay the kind of prices Starett and Woodpecker charge. If a guy who is making chairs that sell for well over $2, 000+ can use an iGaging, then the rest of us will be fine with saving a bit of money.

[jd]

Starrett made in the USA for over 100 years.
iGaging made under contract in china. Slick packaging does not a precision tool make.

[gbjbsgm]

I ordered the layout square set - the larger 12 inch square was off by over 1/8 of an inch. Totally unbelievable after paying 135 CAD for the set. Treid calling dealing with thier customer service but they spoke very poor English/Chinese. I wouldn't recomend this product or company

[makenchips]

The demonstration of pulling the scale back and forth as shown is definitely the wrong thing to do in the adjustment of the scale. The scale is resting on two very small gauge pads casted and ground square to the body. 


With this type of tool the proper way to ajust the scale is to loosen the nut a few turns then push the nut towards the scale till it bottoms out and while holding thi, this releases the scale away from the 2 gauge pads of the square. No move the scale to its near desited position. Noe releas the nut and make your final adjustment. Noe lock it down. If you continue to just loosen that and drag the scale back and forth eventually wear these pads unevenly and your combination Square will become out of Square.


Lastly, the square should be wiped down with a light oil often. Having precision tools requires knowing how to properly use and maintain your precision tool correctly.

Abused will always lead to some issues regarding how minor the abuse seems to be.

[Dickie]

For less than 1/4 the price igaging is a no brainer.

Not square? Takes minutes to correct any square, cheap or premium. Used the same combination for a whole working life in woodworking. Dropped my square numerous times and when it needed a needle file brought it back to perfect in couple of minutes.

Forget the line and flip technique. Just invest in one high quality engineers square and use that for nothing other checking your working tools.

[MintStiles]

I think iGauging is perfectly fine, or exceeds any requirements for woodworking, while the Starrett should be used by machininists over the iGauging. I have both, never really bothered to check how much difference there is, but I find that I use the iGauging almost exclusively as it's just much less dear of an equipment to replace. If it goes, I am not mad about it LOL. The cost does have its plus as long as the function is sufficient.

[gmvader]

This is good information. I recently bought the iGaging 4" and 6" Double Squares and the 6" and 12" Combination Squares. Mine are dead on square as near as I can see. I didn't do all the other measurements you did, though. I have been very happy with them and I like the weight of them. However, I use Starret in a variety of sizes in the lab at work and agree that they move more smoothly and have an over-all higher quality 'feel' about them.

I suspect it's much like with most other things. The more expensive tool is better but the question becomes is it better enough to justify the price? If my budget had been higher, I would have bought a couple Starret squares instead of the iGaging but I needed a tool I could afford and iGaging seemed the affordable option.

I do have a question, for you though. What is the accuracy of the calipers that you are using to measure those squares with? You say the Starret is off by 0.5 thousandths in length but couldn't the iGaging calipers just as easily be off by that much or more? Are they calibrated?

[johngskewes]

You can always re-true your squares - it is simple, that's the real story.
iGaging is "okay." I own a few, plus a couple Starrett squares.
When buying iGaging, do the research - not all their squares have accuracy claims, and at the resellers, the claims run from, .002 to .005. so check it out.
As far as boxes? Starrett does it right, no unnecessary contributions to the landfill!!! WTF