All in, combination squares look pretty similar. What sets them apart usually are their heads, material composition, and lengths. While some might have removable heads or sliding handles, other combination squares might have plastic heads or protractor heads. On arrival it was out of square as expected, but no worse than the Rabone I’d returned, and after fettling is as square as I can measure it. As with any hand tool, you must strike the balance between durability and weight. Heavy-duty adjustable squares for professional use have hardened steel rulers to make them tough as well as weatherproof. If weight is a big issue, go for an aluminium set square tool. The body needs to be accurate to the tenth of a degree, so expect to find cast iron or zinc. Dimensions

Lightweight aluminum and bright silver metric and imperial numbers make this square from WEN an easy-to-read choice that’s equally as simple to carry around. It is by no means the fanciest square out there, but it’s perfect for throwing into a tool bag and bringing from project to project. It’s cheap but holds up well to constant use. Although you can get hold of combination set squares in longer or shorter lengths, the most common is the 300 mm, or 12″ combination square. Main featuresMost combination square sets come with a spirit level for making horizontal lines without the need for a straight edge on your workpiece. Other set square tools come with a 45° edge for marking accurate angles, and if you’re short of a pencil there’s a metal scribe tool screwed into the body. Usage Issues are wear mostly. The beam can be worn on the corners and this isn’t good because we use the knife and pencil so much along the beam and this can compromise our crisp clean edges. Some have interchangeable heads, meaning the blade can be used to measure a straight line on its own and topped with a new head depending on the project. Here are the types you may find when researching: Prior to shopping this detailed buying guide, you might be interested in discovering what combo squares exist, what each is best for, and what each can do. Professional carpenters and contractors who are always overseeing larger projects need a quality square at a reasonable price. With constant usage and breakage or misplacing it being real threats, this Stanley combination square is the best of both worlds. It's slightly more expensive than budget squares but it’s not so bold of an investment that losing it would be disastrous.

Doubtful I would find anything in the price range that left the factory actually square, I instead chose a die-cast Stanley (model 2-46-028) at less than half the price of the Rabone. The mark lines are engraved and it features a large tightening bolt made of brass that spins comfortably between the fingers. The bright orange square head makes it difficult to lose and shoppers also appreciate that it has an imperial scale and metric scale. Despite it being budget-friendly, one customer was “very impressed with the build of this device for the price.” The smaller square measures 150 mm in length and the longer one 300 mm. Made from cast zinc, the body is well machined and can lay out accurate 90° and 45° angles in seconds. Featuring all the useful gadgets that make a square like this so useful, there’s a little spirit level and a hardened scribing tool hidden inside the body of the square. With imperial and metric measurements etched into the blade, users can flop between units as needed. One reviewer appreciated having the detailed markings and found that even when “loosening the thumb screw a bit” the blade was never too loose or flimsy. At 16 inches, it has a little more length than the standard foot-long precision tool options. These bright yellow squares may not have the cast iron combination square heads like Starrett’s, but professionals still rely on this Stanley model. As one cabinetmaker with a decade behind them put it, it’s a “great mid-quality square” that has less of a chance of being “stolen by coworkers.”

My Top Recommended Combination Squares

Aside from measuring tapes and rulers, every tradesperson and DIYer needs a combination square in their tool kit for precise markings and measurements. What makes these multipurpose devices stand out from their counterparts are the marking tools included and movability of the head. In many instances, the head can be swapped out, depending on the material and project at hand. Though they may seem simple, they’re staples and practically insurance policies on guaranteeing that cuts in materials are perfectly angled and that power tools, like certain saws, are still sitting at the right degree.

There are many combination squares on the market, so purpose and price will be the biggest influences in choosing the best one. While budget-friendly options do exist, if a combination square is a tool you reach for daily, one made of strong metal and a durable head will last for years as opposed to cheaper options that may corrode or break after shorter periods. It stands to reason that the square must be exactly what its name says, dead square. There can be no compromise on the accuracy of a square and so you must pursue this ruthlessly if you want fine and accurate work. Any compromise here will telegraph throughout your work and make it impossible for you to produce the impeccable standards you must strive for in joinery and so on. You can read more on this in an earlier blogpost and if you are looking to restore one you have or find here is another blog. If you’re a first-time woodworker, or looking to expand your existing toolkit, you might also consider purchasing a kit that comes with a speed square as well. These two tools will cover most of your bases when it comes to 90 and 45 degrees measurements, and the speed square is essential if you want to get into roofing projects. How We Selected Here is a list of the top squares, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best combination square for your needs.

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Levels: A good portion of squares come with some kind of bubble level, which only improves accuracy. Some will be a classic spirit level whereas others may lie flat, making it easy to take readings.

Scribes: Many squares come with miniature pencils called scribes, which are essential for marking tasks and measurements down. This ensures you don’t need to drop your tool to go scrounging for a marker or carpenter pencil.