Straight Edge Starrett vs Empire

[TheMadMech]

Starrett 48" Steel Straight Edge

Empire 48" Aluminum Straight Edge

Ok, I understand the difference between quality tools and cheap tools. I prefer Knipex, Matco, and similar vein tools. That said, I was checking out Starrett's website to see what their equipment would cost me vs the Empire stuff I currently use.

I'm stunned to see a 48" straight edge listed at over $600. It's steel vs aluminum, and the markings are certainly dead accurate but.. What could possibly have run the price so high? What is the use case for a $600 straight edge? I'm sure there's got to be one if they are selling it but I just can't see it. Any machinists or other pros who can chime in would be appreciated!

 

[beamrider]

The Starrett has a maximum deviation of 0.0008" over its length. The Empire won't have anything approaching that.

 

[PBCampbell]

Something of an Apples vs.....Fish comparison, lol. Seems odd that a Machinist staightedge would be graduated and in natural fractions no less.

 

[larry_g]

I have used them to set up production machines that had to be straight. Most straight edges from Starrett come without measure markings. The Starrett and other precision straight edges are certifiable but the empire is not. When you get into the realm of building machine tools and precision assembly machines then your in a whole different world that few truly understand and can work in.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[davethorik]

Anything long and thin that has to be heat treated, is going to be a pain in the *** to work on. The metal will constantly want to warp and move. I sure wouldn't want to make those Starrett straight edges.

That aluminum Empire model was most likely saw cut from an extrusion, not much labor involved.

Edit: looked at those links closer, the Starrett has a beveled edge and most likely, machine engraved numbers. The Empire is just a 4' long yard stick, basically.

 

[TheMadMech]

OK, that makes sense and I did catch that they mostly didn't appear to have the markings, only a few did. But... $600 seemed steep. I guess not. Thanks for feedback!

This is my clever signature.

 

[Dave455]

In fairness, you have picked two examples from completely different ends of the quality spectrum!

If you look at the spec of the Starrett it's straight to just 2 ten thousandths of an inch, per foot! I'm thinking that's 'inspection grade' straight, so not bad value at $600!

If you can compromise just a little, costs come down considerably. A British made Maun 48 inch straightedge for example, straight to .001" per foot, comes in at about $60!

 

[signcrafter]

The empire straight edge is for "good enough" straight stuff. It will give you a pretty straight line, or used with a circular saw will give a pretty straight cut good enough for most glue ups, or if cutting carpet to seam it will do a good enough job. How straight is it actually over the 48 inches? I don't know but since they don't list it they must consider it a good enough straight edge. Where as starrett is listed down to .0008" over the 4 feet which is very accurate. The empire probably is manufactured by taking a sheet of aluminum and running it through a table saw. Whereas the starrett has a lot more to the machining process in order to get and keep that .0008" or less deviation.