Starrett 12" Pro Site Protractor
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I just got one that I bought in November of 2014, and it looks more like a sticker to me, despite the fact that it says "laser etched." In any case, mine has the'mismatched scales' issue that has been mentioned by others. The package did not appear to have been opened before I received it, but it very well could have been, or someone may have received it before me and thoroughly examined it before opening it to investigate the problem. Mine is off by about 1/2 degree, which may not seem like much, but on larger moldings and casings, it makes a big difference. I've reached out to Starrett for assistance - That, I believe, is preferable to simply replacing the item with the seller, because if everyone does this, the bad ones will be passed around for years.
My 505A- On the 8th of April, 2014, the number 7 was sent out. There was a label on the box that said it was laser engraved for precision. The numbers and degrees marks are raised from the metal's surface (less than a millimeter). For you to feel them, they must be less than a thousandth of an inch. In other words, unlike the information on the legs, the surface isn't smooth. Because the surface is so smooth, the information on the legs appears to have been printed. I double-checked the accuracy of this tool with a variety of other degree measuring tools.
At this point, it appears that there are at least two distinct- Versions of this tool with the same model number can be found online (on Amazon and elsewhere) for $50 to more than $100. For example, the Amazon video uses a different tool (around $50) than the one shown above for $100 to demonstrate the process. Which version is the most recent and "upgraded," and which ones have been sitting in a warehouse for a long time? For $100 and the claim of being "upgraded" and engraved, I expect an accurate one on the first try, with no returns, postage, or delays - Alternatively, I could just buy the plastic model.
Although I have never needed to make a bevel cut, this tool is capable of measuring any angle. If you work with wood, this tool will come in handy for crown molding and other situations where you need to calculate an angle to achieve a tight precision fit. I'm glad I have this tool because it has come in handy on numerous occasions.
Selected User Reviews For Starrett 12" Pro Site Protractor
I bought all three versions on Amazon in the last month (July 2017). The plastic model is the only one with laser etching on the actual tool. Both decals are used on the aluminum models. All three are identical in terms of accuracy, but plastic is the better option due to the price difference. It's impossible to predict what hot, humid, damp, wet weather will do to a sticker left in your truck bed or exposed to direct sunlight for three hours; however, the aluminum ones are great because you can toss them in your bags and not worry about durability. But all I can think about right now is paying $70 for a sticker! 👎.
If this tool were only $6, this misalignment would be acceptable, but not at $60. I'm coming back.
Open at 90 degrees, or. The scales aren't in sync. The miter scale reads 45 at 90 degrees open, or 0 degrees on the single cut scale. 5deg. This does not instill confidence in the reader. When mitering a joint, a half-degree difference can make all the difference. br>br>There's also a sticker on the package that says "New Laser Engraved Accuracy," but nothing on the tool appears to be engraved, laser or otherwise, and the scale stickers are clearly non-engraved stickers. br>br>This is especially disappointing because, based on the reviews, it appears that this has been a problem for years.
All I needed to see was Starrett Quality made in the United States. I would have bought Starrett the first time around if this had been available when I purchased my first. A big fat YES, I would recommend this.
After reading a number of the less-than-accurate reports, I wanted to address the issue of accuracy. than- On the topic, there are some excellent (and older) reviews. The majority of the comments focused on the misplaced degree wheel decal, which resulted in offset errors ranging from a half-inch to a foot. degree to a number of people. I decided to buy anyway because the updates stated that returning a bad one usually resulted in receiving a better/good one. br>br>When my recent purchase came with a big sticker that said "New! The precision of a laser! ", I expected to see degree marks laser engraved into the metal, but it was built in the same way it had been for years: I called Starrett to challenge their marketing claim, but the Engineer stood firm. br>br>I called Starrett to challenge their marketing claim, but the Engineer stood firm. The placement of the marks is now done with laser tooling, according to him. I didn't question him about whether or not they use a laser index to apply the same pre-treatment. If the marks are laser printed onto the decal matrix after it has been affixed, it is referred to as a printed decal. br>br>In any case, they appear to have taken a technological step toward resolving the accuracy issues. My protractor has yet to be put to the test during the kitchen trim rework, but it has proven to be as accurate as my other shop tools in measuring. This tool, in my opinion, will provide you with the solution you require if your mitre saw is properly dialed in.
For trim work, this product is insufficiently accurate. I took out the protractor and matched it up with my machinist's square. This amounts to about 0. 75 degrees (nearly a full degree) off true 90 degrees. Your miter/bevel cuts will appear open to the naked eye once assembled to the mating piece. It's going back to you. The $60 was definitely not worth it.
Tool that is both solid and precise. Very nicely made, and worth having the aluminum over the less expensive solid plastic option for wall moldings such as chair rail and baseboard. My only wish is that it provided absolute wall angles on the opposite (blank) side as well. For your trim work, this tool only shows degrees for single or dual (miter) cut angles. However, if you only want to use it as a protractor to measure the angle of the wall, it isn't as useful. (For example, if you place it against a 120° wall, it will not display the absolute angle of the wall at 120°; instead, it will give you two different cut options for single or dual cuts to fit trim into that 120° wall angle, but it will not display the absolute angle of the wall at 120°. ) br>br>However, it delivers exactly what it promises in terms of cuts, and it does so admirably. However, if you're looking for a simple angle measuring protractor that gives absolute values of a wall angle (which is frequently required for tables or apps that solve for crown molding cuts - be wary. where you enter the spring angle of the crown and the absolute wall angle to get the miter and bevel settings for cutting crown molding with your miter saw).
This is a very nice tool, well made, hefty, comes with a carrying pouch for protection, and has that "old school" feel to it, rather than some flimsy cheapo tool. br>br>This protractor is a sturdy, accurate, and enjoyable tool to work with. I use it to align my table saw fence and miter gauge, as well as check the lineup of my Festool MFT track. I also use it to check for square on any angle that needs to be set, which I do with this Starrett 4041- It's a piece of cake at 12. I keep it close by and always double-check my setups; there's nothing like knowing you're on point every time. br>br>I have other devices that do the same thing, including digital ones, but Tins is the one that sits right next to me at all times, and I trust it implicitly to not let me make mistakes. One of the reasons I chose this is that it simply feels right in your hands; the movement is firm and smooth, and you know you can rely on it. br>br>Although the movement is quite firm and retains its setting well, there is no physical lock, so you must be cautious if you are taking the measurement to another location. However, this is not a problem because it holds the setting as long as you don't bump the protractor and move it. I don't worry about it because there's nothing wrong with being meticulous when doing setups in the shop; in fact, it's a plus because you should be focused on the task at hand. br>br>I am extremely pleased with this item and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get serious about doing setups in the shop. Don't settle for a flimsy plastic substitute; ignore the cost, pay the man, and be content in the knowledge that you'll know the angles for years to come.
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