starrett square question

[Greg Stanford]

Looking at getting a good combination square, Starrett seems always highly recomended. Looked on Amazon, noticed there were two; one is the C33H-12-4R & the other is the 11H-12-4R. Can someone tell me what that means? I just wondered, there's about a 20.00 difference between the two.

Also want to thank folks for the responce to my earlier question about router guides. I was off line for a couple of days & didn't get to do so earlier, but I appreciate it as always.

g

[Orlando Gonzalez]

Greg,

The 11H series have the cast iron head with black wrinkle finish and the 33H series have the square heads that are forged hardened steel with smooth, black enamel finish and, thus, the $20 difference. If it has a "C" in front of the number in means that the blade has a satin chrome finish, otherwise it has a regular satin finish.

The 12 means the blade length (12") and the 4R means that one side of the blade is divided into 8ths and 16ths and the other side of the blade is divided into 32nds and 64ths.

I have the 33H-4R in 6", 12", and 24" blade lengths, with the regular satin finish, which allows me to cover a wide range of applications.

Here is a link to the Starrett catalog page:
http://catalog.starrett.com/catalog/...ec&GroupID=149

HTH

Orlando

[Mike Marcade]

Here are the parts lists for both models. The major difference I see is the C33H-12-4R has a satin chrome blade, that is what the C denotes before the part number.

Catalog No : 11H-12-4RProduct : Combination Squares with square

IdPart No. Description
1 00000-0 SQUARE HEAD STOCK (NOT REPLACEABLE)
2 PT99006 LOCK BOLT ASSEMBLY
2A 22658-0 BOLT, LOCK
2B 01083-0 NUT
2C 01086-0 SPRING
2D 07769-0 WASHER
3 B12-4R BLADE ONLY
4 01087-1/2 BUSHING, AWL
5 07659-C AWL
6 05838-0 NAMEPLATE
7 13263-0 VIAL
8 17816-0 PLUG


Catalog No : C33H-12-4RProduct : Combination Squares with square head

IdPart No. Description
1 00000-0 SQUARE HEAD STOCK (NOT REPLACEABLE)
2 PT99006 LOCK BOLT ASSEMBLY
2A 22658-0 BOLT, LOCK
2B 01083-0 NUT
2C 01086-0 SPRING
2D 07769-0 WASHER
3 CB12-4R BLADE ONLY
4 01087-1/2 BUSHING, AWL
5 07659-C AWL
6 05839-0 NAMEPLATE
7 13263-0 VIAL
8 17816-0 PLUG

[J. Greg Jones]

If I recall correctly, the only difference is that the 11H-12-4R has a cast head while the more expensive C33H-12-4 has a forged head. I bought a 11H-12-4R new and then later picked up a Starrett C434-12-4R (square, centering, and protractor heads) used, which also has the forged head, same as the C33H-12-4. Other than the difference in appearance, I've never seen any difference to justify paying more for the C33H-12-4. The are both the same with respect to accuracy.

[Eric Mims]

before you drop your money on a new one, you might just stop by any local antique shops.. look in the baskets underneath displays and on the bottom of shelves.. I take a try square with me to antique shops and have found several very, very nice Starrett combo squares hiding around, never for more than 10 bucks.

[Matthew Voss]

It's my understanding the forged heads are preferred by machinists because they are more durable as cast iron is a softer material and the smooth finish may be easier to clean.