iGaging Premium 4-Piece 12" 4R Combination Square

The review for the 12-inch, 4-piece "4R" combination square follows this one, which is a review of the 24-inch square. >> iGaging Combination Square Premium 2-Piece 24" 4R << (other review(s) below) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This is an update. I had previously reviewed the 12" combination squares (which are both still working perfectly several years later) and since then I have also purchased the 6" and 4" double squares, and they are both just as spectacular as the 12-in combination squares. And the smaller double square usually lives in my shop apron because I use it on virtually every project I build. It's a life-saver and has prevented a great many errors on my part. (Hmm. Let's see ... "Yeah this looks OK, I'll go ahead and.... O wait maybe I'd better check that right angle again. Oops. Glad I did that..." It's that sort of situation.) Recently I checked my old 24" combination square. It was cheap when I bought it and the reason why is that the rule is stainless but the block is aluminum. It can no longer be made to hold it's accuracy on angles. I've had it for years and it's now past the point of being able to true up the right angle with a small file. The steel has cut into the aluminum enough that the eventually the angle cannot be trued [So much for the $12 spent at the local "bargain store" about 10 year ago. :-)]. Time for a new one. Today I received the 24" version and I've just unpacked it. It is absolutely gorgeous (if you like well-built tools, anyway) and while I haven't yet done a full check on its accuracy (45 and 90 degree angles, distances), side by side its first 12 inches match the full 12 inches of either of the two Igaging combination squares I already have. Affter I do a full set of checks (accuracy of both angles and lengths) I'll update this review. (That may be a couple of weeks - I have desk and router-table design/build/finish projects to complete first...) One good point here: unlike either of the two double squares and and one of the 12-inch combination squares this one came with its certificate of calibration. Another good point: this square is just as accurate as the well-known "expensive high-end" version, and to my eyes its finish is just as good, AND it costs less than half as much. Now to find a drawer long enough to put this in ... (the case is LOOOOONG, and I'm not complaining one bit. I will note in passing however: the Starret square comes in a carboard box (or it did the last time I looked at on and decided not to buy it.) >> iGaging Premium 4-Piece 12" 4R Combination Square << ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I already had one of these 12-inch combination squares, but it was the one without the angle guage or the centering attachment. I needed both and in my opinion (I previouly had the Starrett combination square and so far as I can tell, this one (a) is at least its equal accuracy-wise, and (b) this one is more heavily built and finished VERY well - and the ENTIRELY SUBJECTIVE impression of quality I get from this one is slightly higher than that which I got from Starrett. (I'd still have it but I had a friend who does woodworking as a hobby and when we did projects together he often told me how much he liked the Starrett. When he retired I gave it to him, and he reports that it still works perfectly, so I'm NOT knocking it). And yes there is probably no way that the fact that this one costs just a little more than a third of the price of the Starrett wouldn't influence my opinion. When I get around to it I will buy the 24-inch version of this square, and in the unlikely event that I were to need yet another 12-inch combination square I would definitely buy it again. I have also recommended it to friends and family. The only (nit-picky) negative point I can come up with about this square is that my first one came with its certificate of calibration (it was just the square - no extra attachments). This one didn't. But taking both of them to a friend who is a machininst, he could find NO problems with its accuracy (and he must have liked it because he bought one after measuring mine). It is highly accurate, very well finished, and sturdily built - and it comes with a very nice case.

A fantastic little square for the money. Compared it to my more expensive counterpart, which cost about four times as much and just about as square.

I was looking to replace a 1960's Craftsman Combination Square that has served me well over the years but has seen better days. I wanted something better than your standard home store brands but also didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars. This Square seems like it will fill the bill. The machining and overall perceived quality meet my expectations. Accuracy (squareness) is my number one priority and this one checks-out just fine when compared to my known square 8" try square and each of my 2-to-6-inch machinists squares. I also bought a 6-inch version of this Square and it also checks out right on. I didn't check the 45° miter square but have no reason to suspect any issue. The protractor, although I had nothing to compare or calibrate to/with, appears to be solid. I did find a slight error with the center finder... it's about .003 out of square. I'm not sure what kind of effect that might have but this part of the tool is not really a priority of mine. The only real complaint I have is with the Rule locking mechanism. The bore for the locking mechanism is .25+ and the threaded hold-down is only .236 (6 mm). With .020+ of slop the mechanism shifts enough to create a bind when adjusting the Rule. I improved this condition by installing a slotted bushing made from .010 brass shim stock into the nut end of the bore. I did this to each piece, i.e., the square, the protractor, and the center finder. All-in-all, I very satisfied with my purchase but can only give it 4-stars based on the locking mechanism. 5 stars in every other respect.

This is basically a Starrett copycat, including the design of the square bodies and finishes. The fit and finish is excellent and the set I received (6” and 12”) are plenty square enough for hobby work. The scales are much easier to read, and have much finer graduations compared to hardware store squares. They come in a nice case as well.

I love this square. For me, a 6 inch Combination Square is more useful than a 12 inch Combination Square because I am a wood crafter and I work in small pieces of wood. I have a number of Igaging tools and they are all excellent and affordable. I live in Palm Beach County Florida and my shop is in my 2 car garage. There is a lot of humidity down here. The head is made from Alloy Steel and it will rust if you don't protect it from moisture. Try coating it with a small amount of 3 in 1 oil. The blade doesn't rust. It is also very easy to read. This combination square is perfectly accurate and square. Some people have complained that it isn't square. Mine is perfect right from the beginning. Some people have complained that the head doesn't slide smoothly on the blade. I had that problem at first. I used a drop of 3 in 1 oil and some fine steel wool along the groove. That resolved the issue. I now have a second Igaging 6 inch combination square. I have one at my bench and the other in my work apron. I wouldn't be able to afford 2 Starrett 6 inch combination squares. Get this square. It is really close in quality to a Starrett at a much lower price.

I do allm my own home improvement and finally got tired of my 30 year old big box combo square. What a difference! I immediately thought "Why I didn't do this sooner"? I wasn't sure the smaller 6" square would get much use, but it is great for marking smaller boards and setting up other power tools. The fit and finish is top notch ans the markings are crisp and easy to read. The functionality of these squares makes marking wood so easy and accurate. I own other iGaging tools, but this won't be my last purhase from them.

Great value for the money, do not expect super high quality these are not Starrett, but are so superior to the basic sets that the value is super. I use in the field and like the case they are in. For field work these are exactly what I wanted, better than the average, but not tool room quality. They hold their locations and do not slip. Took the scales and sanded with 360 wet dry paper to smooth the edges, they worked easier and felt better. For my needs these are great and like the purchase. I have tool room level of these in my shop and would not want to take a chance damaging in the field these are a great option for my field needs.

It’s great, if you’re willing to put in the work to make it great. I very much like the feel and heft of this square which is the only reason I kept it. The first one I got was pretty far out of square, even the main body was out of square itsself. I had it replaced thinking it was just a fluke. But the new one I received was also out of square, although not as badly. I ground the flats in the groove to get it square, also sanded the ruler as the laser etching is very rough and nothing had been deburred.