10 Best Combination Squares of 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

Whether or not you need to have to evaluate an angle, mark a miter, or see if a piece of content is straight or sq., a mix square can give you the measurements you need to have. They can give best forty five and 90-degree angles and allow you to check for squareness.

You will find these tiny resources to be a must have for woodworking, metalworking, and stonemasonry as well. They are pretty low-cost to get commenced with, however the premium ones can even now expense a pretty penny.

Since picking a single out of the numerous accessible can be a difficult process, we decided to make it less complicated by writing up 10 reviews that assess some of the most well-known mix squares on the marketplace. With any luck ,, this will help save you the problem of striving them out for by yourself just to develop a number of out-of-square assignments alongside the way simply because of their inaccuracies!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Irwin Tools 1794469 Combination Square	Built-in level The etched markings are easy to read The blade is rust-proof	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Mr. Pen-Combination Square	The stainless steel blade is rust-proof Built-in bubble level Easy to read markings	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Starrett 10H-6-4R Cast Iron Square	Graduation markings down to 1/64” Cast-iron square head is durable and long-lasting Reversible lock bolt makes all edges usable	CHECK PRICE
		Swanson Tool TC132 12-Inch Combo Square	Includes a built-in scriber The head is made from die-cast zinc Impact-resistant level	CHECK PRICE
		Johnson Level & Tool 400EM-S Metal Combination Square	Affordably priced Zinc head with a chip-resistant coating Warrantied for one year	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Combination Squares

1. Irwin Tools Combination Square – Best Overall

Irwin is a dependable manufacturer of instruments, so we realized their combination sq. was likely to be one particular of our favorites. This 1 has all the characteristics we’re looking for in a sturdy package which is priced moderately. For us, that addresses all the bases.

The Irwin combination square has a constructed-in bubble amount for when you require to examine your stage at a glance. It’s obtained a rust-proof blade with precision-etched graduations that are also painted black to make them simple to study so you can always get your measurements speedily.

This square’s head is created from solid zinc. It slides effortlessly, but if you consider it off completely, it’s a bit of a ache to get again on. Nevertheless, this was the square that represented the greatest general mixture of value, benefit, and performance, which is why it tops our checklist as the very best blend square obtainable this 12 months.

2. Mr. Pen-Combination Square – Best Value

At times, you just want the least expensive instrument that can do the occupation accurately. If that sums up your look for for a blend sq., then the Mr. Pen mixture square is almost certainly ideal for you. It’s grime-inexpensive but entirely functional, which is why we feel it is 1 of the very best combination squares for the money.

This square is 12 inches prolonged and has markings that go down to one/32 inches. It functions a stainless-steel blade which is completely rust-proof and easy to read. There are even a constructed-in bubble level and a brass scriber supporting to grow this tool’s usefulness.

To be honest, this tool possibly will not hold up to everyday use. But it will definitely help hobbyists and non-specialists get square and accurate markings and measurements on a lot of projects. All round, we really feel self-assured recommending the Mr. Pen mixture sq. for its excellent price.

3. Starrett Cast Iron Square – Premium Choice

Starrett is known for producing instruments of an uncompromising good quality, and you can truly feel it the instant you keep the 10H-six-4R Solid Iron Square. It’s quite reliable, and the extra excess weight gives it a sensation of quality.

One particular of the biggest attracts to this sq. is its accuracy. In accordance to our measurements, ours was 100% flawlessly in square, which was not the circumstance with most of the other squares we examined. And you can tell that this sq. is going to stay accurate for the foreseeable potential. It also marks more compact increments than opponents all the way down to 1/sixty four inches.

This square features a reversible lock bolt that permits you to flip and switch the ruler so that all 4 marked edges are flawlessly usable. The head slides effortlessly and is made from cast-iron to make certain it will very last a life span. Of program, this degree of top quality and all these attributes really do not appear low cost. But if you want the ideal and you are inclined to pay out for it, the high quality of this Starrett square is virtually unmatched.

4. Swanson Tool 12-Inch Combo Square

This blend sq. from Swanson Resource is far more than just an inexpensive but fundamental sq.. It is also received an effect-resistant degree bubble in the head with a developed-in brass scriber for generating marks when your pencil is nowhere to be located.

The head on this resource is made from die-cast zinc, guaranteeing it is hard enough for the place of work. It’s obtained a spring-loaded bolt to preserve the blade in location so the angle doesn’t adjust and it stays correct. That would be fantastic if it came perfectly square from the manufacturing unit! It didn’t, but it was not also much off, so we ended up ready to fix it quite easily.

Even when we obtained it perfectly square, we experienced an additional issue with the head. If you tighten it down to close to the end, you’ll get a lot of wobble in the ruler. We weren’t able to find a resolve for this. The markings are also rather difficult to read through, but this is nevertheless a single of the most sturdy and greatest operating mix squares we tested, specifically when you take into account the reasonable cost.

5. Johnson Level & Tool Metal Combination Square

We enjoy a very good deal, so low cost equipment that operate nicely always get a second appear from us. This mix square from Johnson Stage & Instrument is one of the least expensive types we examined, but it’s still a first rate tool. It is got a zinc head with a chip-resistant coating that feels like it is likely to hold up. To that conclude, it is warrantied for a yr, so we have some faith in it.

But there have been nonetheless several flaws keeping this device back again. For occasion, the edges are incredibly sharp, and a number of of our testers accidentally scratched on their own when they weren’t paying adequate consideration.

We also identified that the locking mechanism doesn’t get fairly tight enough. When you consider to wrench it down, it pulls the head out of sq.. But if you’re light with it and you do not overtighten the lock screw, it’s still rather usable.

6. Stanley Contractor Grade Combination Square

If you require to mark anything a little bit more substantial than a standard piece of lumber, the Stanley Contractor Grade Blend Square is 16 inches lengthy, providing loads of area for marking outsized wood. It’s even backed by Stanley’s life span guarantee, which does instill a whole lot of religion in this merchandise.

However, we noticed some problems with this sq. right absent. Very first off, it is not square! It was not as well significantly out, but it was adequate to trigger some disappointment. Soon after repairing it, we seen how tough the markings are to go through. They are etched, but we kept striving to shift our viewing angle to get the right amount of mild to truly make them out.

Like several other squares we tested, this one particular has relatively sharp edges. You’ll almost certainly want to file them down a little bit to stay away from scratching yourself.

7. WORKPRO Speed Square and Combination Square

At initial look, we thought the WORKPRO combination sq. seemed like a quality tool. It also arrives with a carpenter square a great added that we certainly weren’t complaining about. But there were some flaws in execution that prevented us from truly experiencing this square.

Very first of all, we appreciated the built-in level and detachable brass scriber. The ruler feels strong and it has markings down to 1/32 inches that are straightforward to make out. Nonetheless, they can be a bit hard to read through because of to a deficiency of differentiating marks at smart locations like ½-inch or ¼-inch.

This sq. was much more expensive than several of the others we analyzed. Sadly, it wasn’t one hundred% sq., which intended we experienced to commit some further time into it ahead of it was usable. For the cost, we have been hoping for better.

8. Empire Level Professional Combination Square

This skilled combination sq. from Empire Level is 16 inches long for when you are marking far more than just 2x4s. But it’s not just bigger than rivals, it’s also a lot more pricey than most. Considering that you can get more affordable goods, we were hoping to see excellent quality from this sq., but that is not what we got.

The head on this square does not slide effortlessly. Even with the set screw very free, it only moves in quick bursts. And no make a difference where you set it, it’s not fairly square. We had been in a position to correct it since it was not considerably off, but we should not have to place that sort of hard work into a brand name-new resource. The final straw was a lack of metric graduations. Not everybody needs people, but if you do, you will be unhappy when they are lacking.

9. Kapro 325M Magnetic Lock Combination Square

The Kapro 325M Magnetic Lock Mixture Square is an fascinating concept with poor execution. Rather than the standard set screw that you loosen to permit the head to shift, this square utilizes uncommon earth magnets to keep the head in spot, permitting for improved precision. Sadly, ours was not square from the manufacturing facility and we could not get it entirely square, even with some submitting.

We did like how swiftly you could adjust this sq. many thanks to the magnets. But for the additional price, we’d instead adhere to anything that’s truly sq.. One particular ultimate gripe this square is meant to incorporate a belt holder but ours was missing!

10. Bahco Combination Square

Frequently, you get what you pay for. That’s not the scenario with this Bahco mixture square. It’s a lot more expensive than several competitors, but we believe it is reduce quality. Our favourite issues about it were the constructed-in level bubble and scriber. Outside of that, there wasn’t a lot to praise.

The ruler is marked in equally metric and imperial. Nonetheless, the metric markings are unusable. There’s no way to change the ruler so that the metric aspect is experiencing appropriately. The measurements are also half a millimeter off at the end, so any accuracy as a depth gauge is null and void.

In addition, the set screw has too considerably play. Even when snug, it enables a minor motion. This just exacerbates the square’s largest difficulty it is not sq.. For us, all these issues indicate that this sq. just is not a wonderful decision.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Combination Square

As you can plainly see, there are plenty of viable blend squares accessible. But there’s some thing that you are going to discover in frequent among all of these tools they all need to be checked for accuracy.

Is it Square?

You are utilizing this sq. to make sure that your measurements and cuts are exact, square, and straight. If your sq. is off, it can throw your entire project off.

The question is, how do you examine if a mix is sq. is truly sq.?

Luckily, it’s not as hard as you may possibly feel. And it’s so critical that it’s well worth repeating each and every time you begin a new undertaking.

How to Check if a Square is Square

To examine your square, you’re heading to require a flat piece of material with a straight edge that you are particular is straight. You can use the manufacturing facility edge of a piece of wood, tile, or anything comparable. This straight edge will be utilized for measuring the angle of your sq.. If the edge you use isn’t straight even though, you’ll throw your measurements off.

Tighten the established screw on your square so it’s comfortable. Set a piece of paper on the material you are using with a single edge even with the straight edge. Spot your sq. so that the ninety-diploma edge of the head is flat from the straight edge you’re making use of for measuring and the ruler is perpendicular to the straight edge. Trace a line down the ruler.

Now flip your sq. over and set it so that your ruler is in the same location you started out the very last line, but with the head facing the other route. Trace yet another line.

If your sq. is in sq., the lines will be directly on top of each and every other. But if your strains diverge, then the length in between them at the stop is how considerably your sq. is out of square.

How to Fix a Combination Square That’s Not Square

Sadly, we discovered that several of the squares we analyzed ended up not fully sq. from the manufacturing facility. This can be an extremely aggravating issue that helps prevent you from obtaining correct marks and measurements.

The good news is, there’s a simple way to repair most of these squares. Usually, the situation is that the groove inside of which the ruler sits is uneven. This leads to 1 aspect of the ruler to sit greater than the other, modifying the angle slightly so it does not sit at a real 90 levels.

You can very easily treatment this with a piece of sandpaper. All you have to do is meticulously decide which facet is greater. Then, you evenly sand that aspect of the head to even it out. As soon as you sand it, you are going to want to repeat the examination from before to make confident that you’ve received it entirely square.

Other squares we have reviewed:

Conclusion

You may well not believe of a blend square as the instrument that can make or break your undertaking, but if ample of your edges are misaligned or out of square, the entire venture could change out badly. That’s why we set so considerably time and vitality into these testimonials we want your projects to switch out the way you intend.

For us, the square we’re most probably to trust in our tasks is the Irwin Tools Mixture Sq.. It is got simple to study etched markings that are painted black, a rust-proof blade, and a developed-in stage and etcher just to expand this square’s usefulness.

We think that the Mr. Pen Mixture Sq. represents the ideal worth. It is dirt-low cost, precise, simple to read through, and rust-evidence. What much more can you request for?

For experts, a diverse amount of top quality is necessary, which is why our quality decision advice is the Starrett 10H-6-4R Forged Iron Mixture Square. It’s the most exact out of all the squares we tested and functions graduated markings down to one/64 inches. Plus, the solid-iron head tends to make it sturdy, so you can trust that it’ll be all around to hold all your foreseeable future tasks square and straight.

Highlighted Image Credit rating: Amazon