After 40 years - its' died

[Argonaut]

After more than 40 years use my 12" Moore & Wright combination square has died - center screw which hooks into rule has snapped.
It was originally formed when I worked in Engineering, then decades of house building ... been reliable and accurate.
What was good is that the body was machined cast iron ... not some cheap alloy - built to last.

Does anybody care to recommend a good square ... while I don't want some piece of pressed alloy junk, like Magusson or SilverLie.
Realistically I won't be around another 40 years so has to be reasonably priced .. (Starrett £140+ is out of the question)

So far RS Pro 300mm
or Axminster 400mm (disadvantage is Metric only)

 

[niall Y]

Can't you take one of the hook type screws from another square and make it fit, or even make one from a bolt or length of studding?

 

[Peter Sefton]

Very sad when an old faithful tool breaks, take a look at our iGaging, I think you will find it hits the sweet spot.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/igaging-precision-combination-square-300mm-12-dual-scale/

 

[deema]

Can’t you still buy spares?

 

[Ollie78]

I had the opposite problem, couldn`t find a nice metric only one. Will likely end up with a Starrett.
I did find a good value and quality brand called PEC tools, an American company who apparently make the Brown and Sharpe and some Mitutoyo squares, but I couldn`t find any metric only ones and they do not appear to be well stocked in Europe.

I know Starrett sell the screw as a spare part which may fit yours.

uk distributor for PEC is linear tools, POA in the catalogue https://online.flippingbook.com/view/605492/152/

 

[--Tom--]

Can't you take one of the hook type screws from another square and make it fit, or even make one from a bolt or length of studding?

+1 If it’s just a broken screw I’d try to sort that rather than replace the whole thing

Edit to add: E.g.
https://uk.rubix.com/en/g3580021194/p-G3580021194

 

[Adam W.]

I buy second hand Starrett and Moore and Wright equipment off ebay, it can be very cheap.

 

[johnnyb]

I was gifted a Moore and Wright set from the estate of a well known machinery maker. Anyway my point is to find a lost centre finder as they have the same screw. Equally an angle wotsit. Same screw. I have a mitutoyo one you can have if it fits. I use the centre finder as an angle square more often than you'd think.

 

[pe2dave]

See how good M&W are? Write to them and see if they will help?
They must have some good engineers?
Nothing to lose?

 

[johnnyb]

Do they even exist now. Seems unlikely(as a company they may exist as a name/brand)

 

[johnnyb]

Ps I can try the minute one in my m and w.

 

[pe2dave]

https://www.bowersgroup.co.uk/brand/moore-wright

 

[themack]

I use this one and I am very happy with it. I have their combi squares as well. Good quality imho.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNGYGRHC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[heimlaga]

I have welded and filed the broken screw on my Starrett combination square. No problem

I filed the same screw for my protractor from an UNF bolt. The protractor is of unknown make. Probably the maker's name was stamped on the ruler part which has then been replaced with a Mitutoyo ruler. Anyway it was good enough quality to be worth the effort of making a replacement screw.

 

[JSW]

I use this one and I am very happy with it. I have their combi squares as well. Good quality imho.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNGYGRHC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Those try squares look bomb proof, good reviews also, think I might take a punt on the 200mm one for £20.
Might just be me but never heard of Presch before, so many thanks for the link

 

[themack]

No worries, glad to help, you are welcome.

 

[themack]

Just following up out of interest...are you happy with it?

 

[redhunter350]

After more than 40 years use my 12" Moore & Wright combination square has died - center screw which hooks into rule has snapped.
It was originally formed when I worked in Engineering, then decades of house building ... been reliable and accurate.
What was good is that the body was machined cast iron ... not some cheap alloy - built to last.

Does anybody care to recommend a good square ... while I don't want some piece of pressed alloy junk, like Magusson or SilverLie.
Realistically I won't be around another 40 years so has to be reasonably priced .. (Starrett £140+ is out of the question)

So far RS Pro 300mm
or Axminster 400mm (disadvantage is Metric only)

Why not just make a new screw ? It shouldn't be particularly difficult -- I just made a replacement spindle lock for a 0" - 0.5" M & W micrometer. Even if you cannot match the thread just make a new nut as well but the thread will almost certainly be a standard USA thread.

 

[JSW]

Just following up out of interest...are you happy with it?

If you're referring to the Presch square, then yes, absolutely delighted with it, perfectly square, nice weight, no complaints whatsoever!