Comments on: TS-2: Perfection Made Rare

By: esincox

esincox — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:49:34 +0000

Move over, bacon. It’s time for something meatier!

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/blog/2013/03/26/ts-2-our-30th-anniversary-version/

By: rrehart

rrehart — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:06:53 +0000

I use an Incra Guaranteed Square (http://www.incrementaltools.com/INCRA_Guaranteed_Squares_7_p/gsqr7.htm) and love it. I’ve measured it six ways from Sunday and it is hyper-accurate. I have the Starrett Combo as well, but really only use it for angles that are not 45 or 90.

By: Budgieman

Budgieman — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:22:02 +0000

It seems a strange thing to say about something as simple as a square, but the Colen Clenton square is AWESOME. I’ve had mine for about 4 years now.
The adjustability is quick and simple, and just works. It was definitely the selling point for me as a tool I know I will never need to replace.

By: docghines

docghines — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:13:59 +0000

If you follow Woodpeckers.com, they have one time tools including a very well done all-aluminum try-square in several different sizes. I love mine.

By: options

options — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:17:32 +0000

Could not agree more with this. I own the TS-2 that i bought at a show in White Plains NY in 1984 or so from
John his self. One of the few times a write up by Chris did not cost me $ $ $.
Have been going to clean it up for the last ten years and now I may not.
Have the habit of taking a class or two every few years somewhere to get better and every one has generated a comment from classmates on the TS-2

Ken

By: Buildinggeek

Buildinggeek — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:13:57 +0000

My late Uncle was a machinist for Starrett for many years. It wasn’t until much later in my life that I understood how his general fussiness and unwillingness to let anything get out of place probably made him a valuable employee to a company like that.
But for all that he was a good Yankee farmer. The only Starrett tool he owned was an 18″ rule that I expect came as a prize or reward from the company. He did do some really good work with his Montgomery Ward hand saw and his Craftsman plane.

By: Mostly Square

Mostly Square — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 19:11:10 +0000

Some things are best unknown.

I have some expensive tools but by far my favourite is the badly beaten 7 1/2″ square my grandfather brought to Canada when he emigrated from England in the early 1900′s. The steel tongue is badly blackened and pitted from year’s of neglect in my widow grandmother’s damp basement.

I’ve used it a thousand times, but I have honestly never checked it for square. Purposefully. It works fine for most of the things I build. I don’t want to know its degree of inaccuracy because I may then want to stop using it. Aside from a few mementos it’s the only connection I have to my grandfather, who died years before I was born. Just holding it and walking around my shop brings a kind of peace and inspiration I won’t ever get from any other tool.

By: RobJ

RobJ — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:40:40 +0000

Christopher,

I’m sure you are as aware as the rest of us of the existence of the so-called “Schwarz Effect” , but HOLY CRAP! Just for the heck of it, I went to eB@y after reading this post yesterday. Though it’s not on my list of immediate needs, having a TS-2 in my tool chest someday would be great.

I checked the history of “sold” TS-2′s, and over the past few months they have averaged about $60. There are only 2 of them listed right now, and since your blog both have been bid up to well over $100.

You have great power Obi-Wan Schwarz. If I thought you could be turned to the dark side, I would offer a generous commission if you would blog about the items I have for sale. Alas, I know you are incorruptible.

rjusty

By: bko

bko — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:17:10 +0000

I have a TS-2 and bunch of other early Bridge City Squares and I truly appreciate them. The 45 deg and 22 1/2 deg Joint Maker squares have saved my bacon a whole bunch of times. But, my TS-2 is out of square by a lot right now. I don’t know how it happened but it will take some time to fix.

Bridge City also used to recommend “Flitz” metal polish and I don’t think that has been a friend to my square all these years later. There is a funny build-up in the screw-heads and crevices and I wish now that I had just let it patinate all those years ago.

I also have the large Bridge City “adjustable” square (AS-14) with the little set screws to re-square it. It’s the one I use the most on case pieces. It also has the little “tongue” on the wood side so it can be held easily on the edge of a panel.

For smaller work and machine setup, I LOVE my Starrett machinist squares–particularly the 3″ die maker’s square that can double as a marking gauge of sorts.

But, the squares I use the most are the ones I have made in my shop out of brass and rosewood or ebony. I have a 4″ square I made that I keep in my apron pocket. I have made a bunch of little 2″ brass and ebony squares that are great for checking edges and working on smaller boxes etc. for use and as gifts.

By: rwlasita

rwlasita — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:43:45 +0000

I’m building my own and I am using teak.