Bora Squares Killer Deal on Woot!

[Makapuu]

The Bora squares are a killer deal, compared to Amazon. I bought one of each design:

http://tools.woot.com/plus/affinity-tools?ref=cnt_wp_2

12" Magnetic Combination square:
Woot: $11.99
Amazon: $26.00

8" Multi-angle square:
Woot: $21.99
Amazon: $36.60

12" Multi-angle square:
Woot: $25.99
Amazon: $39.99

8" Multi-angle composite:
Woot: $9.99
Amazon: $17.00

I watched these videos on the Bora squares, and they have a great design and appear to be of high quality.

Bora Magnetic Combination Square:

Bora Multi-angle Squares:

 

[danny_barkley]

Those things are awesome!

 

[nahudson]

Thanks op!

 

[TristanPT]

Sweet. Not sure why I need these yet but I just bought one of each. LOL

 

[3 at 8]

Sweet. Not sure why I need these yet but I just bought one of each. LOL

So did I. I think I may have a problem.

 

[McFarmer]

Anyone know where they are made ?

 

[JoeMA]

Sweden

 

[McFarmer]

Sweden

Might try one, never heard of them.

 

[cheechi]

The two that I got are made in Sweden, the 8" & 12" squares.

Sweden

Might try one, never heard of them.

Never head of Sweden? Bork bork bork!

 

[Tinner]

The multi angle squares are really nice. I have them at work, after six years of use they're still tight and accurate. I picked mine up on closeout, for about half the current Woot price and really didn't expect them to be as good as they are. I would never have paid full price at the time, but If I had to replace one now, it wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Makapuu]

Sweet. Not sure why I need these yet but I just bought one of each. LOL

Yeah, I bough a set for exactly the same reason.

 

[foodgroup]

After watching the multi-angle video, I thought "meh, I'll just stick with my speed square" but then I looked down the page and see that Swanson makes one of these too so maybe they fill a need.

Hmm. Blade looks identical to the Bora, $11 for the 8-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$15 for the 12-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[brimorga]

Why did you guys buy an 8 and 12? What is the 12 good for that the 8 is not?

 

[Makapuu]

Hmm. Blade looks identical to the Bora,

Can't disagree with that conclusion. I do like the red better - but not for twice the price. Oh well, already bought them..

 

[gamp945]

Hmm. Blade looks identical to the Bora, $11 for the 8-inch:

They are both made in Sweden, too.

However, the reviews for the Swanson on Amazon claim that the ruler measurements are merely a sticker applied to the metal. In contrast, the Bora product description states that the ruler measurements are etched. So apparently the OEM in Sweden making these squares produces them to various quality specifications. I wonder if there is anything else different between the Bora and the Swanson?

 

[WilltheEngineer]

They are both made in Sweden, too.

However, the reviews for the Swanson on Amazon claim that the ruler measurements are merely a sticker applied to the metal. In contrast, the Bora product description states that the ruler measurements are etched. So apparently the OEM in Sweden making these squares produces them to various quality specifications. I wonder if there is anything else different between the Bora and the Swanson?

Any GJer's have a hands on conformation about the markings? I'm finding mixed information on the old InterWeb. I'mm looking at getting a set as well...if nothing else, it gives you two or more, in a shop, which cuts your searching for one down ....I have about 10 tape measures..

-From a tool disb:
Swanson AC800 8-Inch ACCUR 8 Self Locking Square Feature :
Precision accuracy guaranteed to +/- 0.06 degrees
Permanent laser etched markings on both sides
Locking positions at each 22.5 degrees between 0 and 157.5 degrees
Self-locking, high quality Swedish Stainless Steel Blade folds into gold color, anodized aluminum holder
Tested for accuracy in over 100,000 cycles

 

[brimorga]

After watching the multi-angle video, I thought "meh, I'll just stick with my speed square" but then I looked down the page and see that Swanson makes one of these too so maybe they fill a need.

Hmm. Blade looks identical to the Bora, $11 for the 8-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$15 for the 12-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The reviews on the quality are less than stellar though. Some folks complain about the angle being off, others complain that the ruler is not straight. Seems like a big deal giving what you are using it for.

 

[Refractometer]

I ordered some of the 12 inch squares for the family. Wife hates fighting with the little knurled knobs to adjust the sliding rule. Hopefully the magnets will work better for her.
Thanks, OP, for posting!

 

[Makapuu]

The 12" Multi-angle is sold out.

 

[diebog]

Thanks OP. I just bought 4 of the adjustable squares and the last 8" Multi angle. So the 8" is sold out now too

 

[Makapuu]

Why did you guys buy an 8 and 12? What is the 12 good for that the 8 is not?

It means I own one more tool. Duh!

 

[dadler]

Argh, all sold out. Should have checked this forum sooner.

 

[TristanPT]

It means I own one more tool. Duh!

2 is 1 and 1 is none. My squares arrived today! Very high quality.

 

[crzipilot]

Mine showed today, missing the 12" grrrr

 

[JoeMA]

After watching the multi-angle video, I thought "meh, I'll just stick with my speed square" but then I looked down the page and see that Swanson makes one of these too so maybe they fill a need.

Hmm. Blade looks identical to the Bora, $11 for the 8-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGO4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$15 for the 12-inch:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IGGOE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I believe that you are correct--that the Swanson is the same as the Bora. I received mine today. Although the description states that the rulers are etched, mine is not.

For those lamenting that you missed this deal, order the Sawnson and save $11.

 

[3 at 8]

I got my three Boras today. I got the 8 and 12 and slide. Quality is outstanding. The blades snap into positions with authority with positively no noticeable slop. Really impressive.

 

[Makapuu]

I got my three Boras today. I got the 8 and 12 and slide. Quality is outstanding. The blades snap into positions with authority with positively no noticeable slop. Really impressive.

How precise are the angle measurements? The thing that sold me on this is squaring saws, especially angles on miter saws.

 

[foodgroup]

I believe that you are correct--that the Swanson is the same as the Bora. I received mine today. Although the description states that the rulers are etched, mine is not.

For those lamenting that you missed this deal, order the Sawnson and save $11.

I ended up ordering the Swanson 8in and it came today. I like it very much.

It is not etched. I believe the blade is a silk-screened enamel and the body is a silk-screened ink.

It had the terrible label that the reviews warned about. It took some doing, but soapy water, peanut butter, and denatured alcohol took care of it. Does anyone else remove labels with peanut butter?

 

[dadler]

Any GJer's have a hands on conformation about the markings? I'm finding mixed information on the old InterWeb.

I'd like to re-ask this question. Is the Bora actually etched into the metal?

 

[kneeman]

I'll take a bora 12" if someone bought an extra

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeMA]

I'd like to re-ask this question. Is the Bora actually etched into the metal?

The Bora squares that I received are not etched.

 

[t1r2u3s4t]

got my Swanson from Amazon today, not etched either

 

[dadler]

How is the durability of the non-etching? I really could use one of these, but I get WD40 and Chemtool all over the place and I would hate to lose the index marks.

Someone on Amazon said that the length marks are not accurate --compared to their Starrett rule. Can someone do a favor and compare the Bora/Swanson to a decent ruler?

I'm considering paying full price for the Bora because I really like red.

 

[rcurley55]

I received my Bora items today (the 8" multi-angle square and the combo square). Both are high quality and etched.

 

[dadler]

I received my Bora items today (the 8" multi-angle square and the combo square). Both are high quality and etched.

Can you post pics of the etching? Were yours from the Woot deal or elsewhere? Thanks!

I am wondering if there are multiple batches, some etched and some not.

 

[Makapuu]

The Bora 12 ' magnetic combination square has etched markings. The Bora 8" and 12" multi angle are silkscreened. The magnetic combination square is very cool and a much more convenient design than the old screw versions. High quality and well worth the money.

 

[Tinner]

Let's see if we can clear a few things up on the multi angle squares.

I have the Bora squares, a guy I work with has a Swanson. Except for color and brand name they're identical.

The blades are laser etched and plastic coated.

This is designed to be a carpenter's tool. The lines are fairly wide, not as wide as a framing square, but wider than a Starrett rule or square. Within that context, the markings are accurate.

The manufacturer claims the angles to be accurate within .06 degree. I use mine all the time to set angles and although I don't deal in hundredths of degrees, it probably is as accurate as they claim.

This isn't a machinist's tool, but it is very accurate and well made. All measuring tools should be checked periodically for accuracy. If you don't know how to check them, you don't know how to use them. Don't blame the tool.

 

[Tinner]

The Bora 8" and 12" multi angle are silkscreened.

You're mistaken, they are laser etched.

 

[rcurley55]

Can you post pics of the etching? Were yours from the Woot deal or elsewhere? Thanks!

I am wondering if there are multiple batches, some etched and some not.

They are not deep enough to be captured in a photo. Trust me, they are etched - you can feel the etching with your fingernail.

 

[Makapuu]

They are not deep enough to be captured in a photo. Trust me, they are etched - you can feel the etching with your fingernail.

Etched = recessed by cutting or engraving into the metal.

"Feeling" something with your fingernail does not mean it is etched. I can "feel" the numbers and lines because the ink is thick enough to rise above the metal. Etched means a recess is cut into the metal. Your fingernail would drop into these recesses, not hop over the lettering that is raised.

Could be silkscreening, or use of a deeply engraved printing plate that deposits a thick mount of ink on the metal. If it was etched, or laser etched, it would mean that the metal being printed upon is actually cut into or engraved and the ink is placed within these recesses when printing the lines and numbers, or even the logos, etc. This is not the case with the Bora 8" of 12" multi angle squares - or at least the two I have. Nothing is cut into the metal to facilitate the printing.

I actually used a loupe, and even looked at the ruler on edge to see if anything is cut into the metal, and the ink rises from the metal, and is not placed in recessed cut surfaces. The surfaces are flat with thick ink on them.

Now on the 12" Magnetic combination square, the lines, etc. are etched where the ink is placed in recesses in the metal.