IRWIN Combination Square, 12”, 45-90 Degree Marking, Stainless Steel (1794469)

I just got this Irwin square today, and at this price point im very pleased. Nice heavy build quality along with touches like a brass lock nut, brass knobbed scribe that is firmly held in the casting by a friction sleeve and even a brass level plug really add to the build quality and heavy duty feel of the casting which is itself nicely done and doesn't look cheap -- I also have a comparable Stanley and I like this one better, the casting is heavier and thicker at the machined edges like a Starrett and feels like a bit better quality than the Stanley. The Irwins rule is nice and thick, easy to read and made of stainless steel not clear coated metal that will peel and rust as my Stanley has, but I have no use for the mm scale on the Irwin, I think they should make either one or the other and not force metric on you if you don't need it -- I don't know a single carpenter at least here in the US that works with mm. The casting borders are nice and thick on the machined sides, giving the look of maybe a Starrett or similar - However a Starrett is around $100+ and the casting on it is iron, which isn't as soft as the Irwins aluminum or zinc whatever it is - but the Irwins cost is MUCH lower and Starrett quality is legendary & in a different class - but you pay dearly for it and most of us cant afford that kind of luxury for it to be lost or stolen on a job sight. I checked my example for squareness soon as I got it as I saw a reviewer who said his was not, fortunately mine is right on so buyers should always check, indeed any tool that involves accuracy should be checked and verified. I did spend some time gently cleaning up the casting and rules corners and edges with a stone, lightly oiled the threads and moving parts and now it slides much smoother than when I first got it - it wasn't bad mind you just needed a bit of "optimizing" to make it good as it could be - Im very pleased and also glad I bought the 12" version as well elsewhere, what ive said in this review also applies to the 12" version and im very pleased with both examples. Empire makes one of similar quality and a stated accuracy within .002 of an inch and price is comparable but the Irwin wins out with a bit more brass bling, for example the level plug is plastic on the empire and brass on the Irwin, and the blue Irwin casting is an eye catcher if that's of any value. Oddly the Irwin makes no specific claims regarding accuracy on their packaging, but they should as it seems to exude enough quality to back it, at least my example does. Im even tempted to purchase the 16" version as these are such a good value. If I had any criticisms, it would be to be careful about dinging the softer aluminum casting on the machined corners,as this would cause out of square measurements, but it is a precision measuring tool and should be treated as such, but thats not always reality on a job site, and no square in this price range im aware of has an iron casting so im not saying the Irwin is at fault since all castings in this price ranges are made of similar material just stating fact, aluminum would be easier to ding than iron, but price is related to material cost so I still say for the price this square is a bargain and I don't see how you could find one any better for the price. Final word, there are many very good reviews for this square and that speaks for itself, you cant go wrong for the money its a really nice tool.

I ordered this square because I needed a square to set my table saw blade at 90 and 45. Therefore I didn't need the ruler. I removed the ruler and put it in my desk drawer to use as a regular ruler. This square is excellent for the money but doesn't compare to the Starrett or PEC quality. Igaging has a high quality square as well. But all of these better squares come with a much higher price. I own 2 Igaging 6" combination squares and 1 Igaging 12" square. They are definitely better quality than this one. This square is definitely better than those in the big box stores and many of the local hardware stores. The head is very accurate at 90 and 45 degrees. I haven't checked the ruler for accuracy because I don't plan to use it as I mentioned above. This square definitely has a place in my wood shop.

Well made and accurate. I believe that I made a good purchase.

The good about this little square is that it is sturdy, well made, and actually squares up well when tightened down. If that was the end of it, it would be 5 stars. The bad is that they left this thing with the sharpest, least friendly edges I have EVER gotten from a tool! From the moment I handled it, I felt like it was about to slice skin! The first thing I did was take some sandpaper to the edges to knock down the uncomfortable edges of the body and the rule. BUT, the very raw milling of the rule extends to the little track for the lock down, so it slides roughly thru the body, and I don't see an easy way to get in there to smooth it!

it's badass! hell yeah brother. 🔥🔥🔥

I finally caved and bought this, and gladly so. I have a 12-inch combo (which I think is a more versatile tool if you could only have one), but this feels better to use because it's the right scale for most of my work. The ruler adjustment mechanism locks tight with ease. The body is hefty and accurate, and functions perfectly as a small level. I wind up taking the ruler out and using just the body for all sorts of reasons. The integrated scribe is pretty standard, but I wind up using it more than I expected. For the price, this is a must if you work with smaller though rough measurements. Doesn't hurt that it looks nice either.

Very nice angle. I guess I never thought I needed a 16" one, until I used one. I had to replace a 12", and saw this one at a close price to a 12 incher. The slide is a bit sticky, because it's not worn out. I sprayed a bit of silicon spray on the knob bolt, retainer piece, where it holds the ruler. Bingo, huge difference, slides very nice now. The numbers are fine, some have complaints about etchings, and whatever, I don't see an issue. This will last for a long time, but does have a lifetime warranty. It's all aluminum, and built beefy = longevity right there!

Speeds up tasks and improves accuracy