John;
if you meant Haas;
they're all made in Oxnard CA,
http://www.haascnc.com/about_history.asp#gsc.tab=0
Combination square: Starrett vs Mitutoyo
- Thread starter hemdale
- Start date
John;
if you meant Haas;
they're all made in Oxnard CA,
http://www.haascnc.com/about_history.asp#gsc.tab=0
macgee
Well-known member
So getting back to the OP, I say not to buy the Mitutoyo over Starrett. Since the USA made version of Mitutoyo is made by PEC USA. Buy a hardened PEC combo square for much less than a Mit. and it's the same thing. If you have problems with a PEC just send it back to them in California where they make them.
Again it's hard to say either Starrett or PEC, I use my 6" PEC the most (daily) but my Starrett's are of exceptional quality and glad I have them but I use my PEC more often.
The key to a good square is repeat ability and reliability over the many years of use. Yes, a cheap plastic square or a Stanely is most likely square to start out with but over time there most likely to wear out (much sooner for the plastic). The Stanely and Empires of today use cheap soft metals and I would not trust them after a month of use. Starrett use superior harder metals that won't wear out and hence will stay square for many years to come and this is why you pay much more for them, they're worth it!
You should buy both, it's always good have two good squares.
Again it's hard to say either Starrett or PEC, I use my 6" PEC the most (daily) but my Starrett's are of exceptional quality and glad I have them but I use my PEC more often.
The key to a good square is repeat ability and reliability over the many years of use. Yes, a cheap plastic square or a Stanely is most likely square to start out with but over time there most likely to wear out (much sooner for the plastic). The Stanely and Empires of today use cheap soft metals and I would not trust them after a month of use. Starrett use superior harder metals that won't wear out and hence will stay square for many years to come and this is why you pay much more for them, they're worth it!
You should buy both, it's always good have two good squares.
I put my money on Mitutoyo. The scale is made in Japan the rest Mexico.
PEC USA are nice but not the same quality IMHO. But very close and would be my next choice for a good square.
Starrett has several different lines and the cheaper ones aren't very nice. You have to spend big money to get something comparable to Mitutoyo.
But for the money PEC USA is a steel at http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Squares.html pick up the 18 and 24 scales they are $75 each other places.
PEC USA are nice but not the same quality IMHO. But very close and would be my next choice for a good square.Starrett has several different lines and the cheaper ones aren't very nice. You have to spend big money to get something comparable to Mitutoyo.
But for the money PEC USA is a steel at http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Squares.html pick up the 18 and 24 scales they are $75 each other places.
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fomocoforrester
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2008
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- 3,061
John;
if you meant Haas;
they're all made in Oxnard CA,
http://www.haascnc.com/about_history.asp#gsc.tab=0
Hey knurl - thanks for that ....
I guess my (kinda tongue in cheek) point was that they're both so good that you might as well match the make to be consistent with other makes in the shop.
Oh never mind ....
macgee
Well-known member
I put my money on Mitutoyo. The scale is made in Japan the rest Mexico.
Starrett has several different lines and the cheaper ones aren't very nice. You have to spend big money to get something comparable to Mitutoyo.
But for the money PEC USA is a steel at http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Squares.html pick up the 18 and 24 scales they are uselessly $75 each.
Thanks for the link Rodm,
Those are great prices on PEC squares but they are blemishes which isn't a big deal but I don't think they the hardened version but they sell a 12" PEC combo square for $20, that's pretty much free so there's no reason to complain.
I'm wondering if there is now different levels of quality being issued by the same companies without noting the difference. My PEC looks slightly thicker and more stout than what i'm seeing in the pics.
Man looking at the new level of global manufacturing and economics makes it really tough to figure out what your really getting, not a good thing in the world of reference tools. The world of squares and accurate reference tools is getting very squirrelly.
Your right about the Mitutoyo heads being made in Mexico, I do know that Mitutoyo has a good chunk of there blades made in the USA by PEC.
On the Grainger site it lists Mitutoyo made in Brazil but you can see in the photo that it's printed Mexico on the head.
If you can find an all Japanese Mitutoyo then your in good shape but I would definitely hesitate on the mexican version without it having over ten years of positive feedback. I certainly would not buy a PEC square made in India, it's not worth it.
There's absolutely no point of buying a reference tool without it having a good long track record. This new global sourcing of reference parts from different factories pretty much reduces the reliability and lowers the chances of getting something equal to old school Starrett USA quality. Maybe keep an eye out for a Brown & Sharpe, it's hard to beat the old school of reference tools but I'm not quite so sure about these new world versions.
Sorry for the rant
I have about 6 pairs of the PEC and one set of Mitutoyo and work probably has 6 of the Mitutoyo (Mexico) that are 6+ years old that are just fine. Really they all are nicer then the cheep Starrett. If you go Starrett you need the higher end model not the model the OP has linked to!
I'm a pickey $%^# about my tools and think anyone will be happy with the PEC, Mitutoyo, or the upper lines of Starrett. These are layout tools not a precession measuring tool.
I'm a pickey $%^# about my tools and think anyone will be happy with the PEC, Mitutoyo, or the upper lines of Starrett. These are layout tools not a precession measuring tool.
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remileblanc
Well-known member
I'm a fan of Mitutoyo for measuring tools and scales for the most part. As far as indicators go I find Starrett is better than Mitutoyo. Its a matter of preference. I can't see one being more accurate than the other.
macgee
Well-known member
Thanks rodm1,
Thats a useful hands on observation between the three. Yes, you are totally correct about these being layout tools and not precision reference tools.
One should always have an excellent non-mechanical calibrated reference square kept safe and to be used to check out your layout tools to make sure there in good shape. All my Starrett's are the older vintage ones and it's great when I occasionally check them and they always come out true and square.
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davethorik
Well-known member
As you can tell by my avatar, I am also a fan of Lufkin. Their satin chromed scales are just as nice as Starrett. I have a Pratt & Whitney 24" combo rule scale at work, P&W bought Lufkin's machinist tool line in the late 60's and briefly sold them as their own. I do have a little 4" Lufkin adjustable square and it is very nice.
I am pretty sure most all of the scales will work in most attachments. The shop has 2 Mitutoyo sets and Starrett blades fit in them, and vise versa. My friend has a dark green set from the late 70's/early 80's and they interchange with Starrett as well. Lufkin/P&W are also the same.
Tucko
Well-known member
I have the same, but also have the 18" blade. I've used both brands, but own Starrett exclusively, including the one 12" machinist square I found at a yard sale for.....$1.00!!
mrbreezeet1
Banned
and here l thought my Stanley 60 1/2 for a dollar was good.I have the same, but also have the 18" blade. I've used both brands, but own Starrett exclusively, including the one 12" machinist square I found at a yard sale for.....$1.00!!
Another interesting thing I found and a poster hinted on is Mitutoyo has made the Made in Mexico model for at leases 22 years. A guy at work bought his 22 years ago and it's made in Mexico. Did they make the Made in USA models along side of the Mexico ones?
A plus for Starrett is there protractor head. It swivels 360° and the others only like 45°.
A plus for Starrett is there protractor head. It swivels 360° and the others only like 45°.
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macgee
Well-known member
Yes they did, well at least the blades were made by PEC USA but I'm not sure if they sourced heads from the US.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
I have a few Lufkin combination sets that I use regularly. I also have a small Lufkin die-makers square around here somewhere (the square that could be made non-square) and more than several Lufkin micrometers, among other things.