For the machinist on board, tool question.

[DngBat7]

Being a newbie machinist, if I was going to buy a top end combination square. For “machining” which do I want. 16r or 4r graduations?

thanks

 

[akajun]

16r

 

[jackson1]

My combination square is laid out fractionally. Guess it is a function of the type of work you will be doing, what you choose. Meanly possible layout work. As a young guy in the shop, did my far share off laying out projects. Most often with a height gauge on a surface plate. Have Starrett, but would say a cheaper brand would work just as well. Rarely used the centering head and there ways to work around using the angle head. I believe as you progress, your combination square will spend more time in our tool box. Carried a 6" steel rule in my pocket laid out in 1/100". I no long have my Starrett catalog, but used my 6" precision tool makers square (believe that is the correct name), to check that my mold blocks were being properly ground squared. The trade has many specialties and where you end up will probably be no where near where you started. Had a great deal of fun, learning, and pride in my trade. Hope you have the same.

 

[Fuj]

Six's and nines..... I'm a retired tooley although most
of the later years in my shop was devoted to off road
suspension parts. Once you buy your first Kennedy, there's
no going back.

 

[jonbearman]

Six's and nines..... I'm a retired tooley although most
of the later years in my shop was devoted to off road
suspension parts. Once you buy your first Kennedy, there's
no going back.

Now thats a true statement.

 

[carlsbad]

I never use one.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Can fix you up with B&S Hardened with all four pieces 1/32 to boot !!!
The Real old school tools . 12”

Don

 

[jackieschmidt]

For General machine shop work, I prefer #4, that being 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64.

 

[LeoHuhta]

B&S
Mine has all the graduation options.

 

[hoz53]

Being a newbie machinist, if I was going to buy a top end combination square. For “machining” which do I want. 16r or 4r graduations?

thanks

cant say im a machinist but I do machine work. also use a comb. square alot on wood work. I wouldnt want to be without both scales. Ive got at least 3 combination squares, also some rules with just the protractor or center head. some with just the square. If youre really only buying one Id get it with both scales. But I would get at least 2 so you could have one with each scale. Try Ebay for some quality ones for a better price. thats where most of my Starretts came from. Some of my combination squares are the cheap ones. They really are as square as the others. Still I grab a starrett when I am doing accurate work. Recently picked up a Starrett with 24" scale for a song. Would like to get a longer scale for them to but they get to be purdy salty. As was said - Ive got a 6" scale- 1" wide with metric on one side and Tenths on other. Its very handy.