IRWIN 6-Inch Metal Combination Square - Precision Measuring Tool for Woodworking & Metalworking

I really haven't used combination squares (just framing and pocket squares), but I had one specific use in mind for my shop when I purchased this- and found myself using it more often than I imagined for other uses. I may just buy a couple more to keep with specific shop tools. Very nice quality.feels solid when using. the ruler is not flopping around or have any play to give inaccurate readings....I'm loving it...Accurate enough and small enough for tight spaces.Great tool that is essential for small cuts, especially when installing floors.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.Quality feel and accuracy. If any complaint it's that the edges are not quite softened as much as I'd like, but then most quality measuring rules seem to be that way to keep tolerances tight, so I always use some 320-400 wet-dry on all sharp edges regardless of brand. Just gives a better feel and I never notice a diminished accuracy.great squareThese are a great mid range quality tool. They are easy to read, made of heavy metal and the set I received was accurate. The adjustment is smooth, the locking adjustment mechanism sets and holds without undue force. Unless you are machining stator blades for a jet engine, these will serve you well and not smoke your wallet.This is honestly the biggest piece of garbage and poorest excuse for a tool I’ve ever purchased. It should be illegal to sell this junk. I REALLY want a refund. The ruler CONSTANTLY gets stuck and doesn’t slide whatsoever. That machining is so bad that every time I need to adjust it, I literally have to fully remove the ruler (if it isn’t too stuck to even do that), and then unscrew the spring ALL THE WAY to get it back in. The lock for the ruler also doesn’t lock it in place. It just shifts around between the ruler and inside wall of the square, instead of staying within the little machined strip in the ruler. It’s also not straight machining. You can tell how poor of a job the machining is by my photos and the way the light reflects off the strip in the ruler. It’s mangled in some areas too. Combination squares don’t work like this AT ALL and this is UNACCEPTABLE. I can’t believe the absolutely appalling quality Irwin is willing to accept these days. DO NOT BUY THIS.Good for woodwork.yup, this little guy is indeed well made. The rule is hardened steel, the marking is easy to read. Imperial on one side, and metric on the other. The handle is NOT aluminum. It's all metal. the nob is spring loaded with a good weight. The gliding can be improved by manually filing the inside groove lightly (which does not affect its squaring function) So that alone should be sufficient but it is also.... (drum roll).... square ! really. To be honest, I didn't need nor expected it to be square but the "draw the line / flip side test" shows it is. If you are unfortunate and get one that isn't square, don't be discouraged. Squaring a combination square is quite simple. Youtube it! Seriously, any combi square is subject to falling on the ground at one point or another. And when they do, they get misaligned; Starret included. So don't go all bonko and weep your sorrow that your square isn't square. Fix it. That's what handy people do. For the price, this is a winner.Like some other reviews I found that the ruler or scale had been cut at an angle, (about 5 degrees) and was very sharp. I was able to correct this with some careful filing and a solid square for reference.Other than that the square seems durable and well made. The scale graduations and numbers are imprinted below surface, so should not wear easily. The bubble level seems to agree with my other levels and the scribing pin is a nice feature. Overall, worth the $12 Cdn. I paid and the 5 minutes is spent to true it up.Não gostei de ter apenas em um dos lados da régua com medidas em centímetros e polegadas, no outro lado temos apenas em polegadas. Aqui usamos muito pouco polegadas...