Fowler 52-370-012-0, 4 Piece Combination Square Set With 12" Blade

When I first started working as a welder at a local fab-shop, I quickly learned the value of a good square set. Initially, I had to borrow them from other workers. After a couple months, I used a metric sit-tonne of them. Craftsman, Fowler, Stanley, Starrett, etc. When it came time to make a purchase of my own, I had my choice narrowed down to Fowler or Starrett. The next payday, the Cornwell tool guy stopped by and I inquired about getting a set. By this time I had decided that I wanted a fowler set because they just have the nicest feel to them and they hold up incredibly well. After yanking my chain for a bit (as all great salesmen do), he said that I could have a fowler set for a cool $180.00 USD. That night I hopped online and found this bargain. Now, these tools are definitely worth the premium they fetch, and the tool guy was just charging MSRP. That should give a clue to the quality of these squares. I use my combo square and centring head on a daily basis and they are still like-new. The only sucky thing about them is that the case was damaged somewhere along the shipping process. This still gets 5 stars from me because the seller doesn't have any control of the UPS guys and you simply can't beat this deal on these professional quality tools.

Decent quality, accuracy, and fairly priced

Arrived on time and are perfectly square. I work with very tight tolerances so having a quality square is important.

Good instrument, good price

Good quality product. Perfect case for when not in use dial doesn't slip. Heavy cast gives you a feel of confidence!

Neither the protractor nor the center gauge would slide on the ruler. The square did slide, but only with excessive force. It appeared the manufacturing on the protractor and center gauge was so poor that ruler and guide pin were not on the same plane. For over $100 cost I expected way more.

This combination square set is quite good for what it costs. I just wish it was made from harder materials.

cheap quality for fowler. only part with fowler name on it is the rule. protractor only has zero mark on one side so it is not reversible.

Looks nice, great quality feeling and the accuracy very good.

Was worth the extra money. Has lots of weight to it. One of the lock screws isn't seated but still works just doesn't look good. Would buy again.

well built. great value

As a machinist apprentice, I'm starting to build a collection of essential measurement tools and I'm going to have to keep looking for a combination set. The item I received came with an "inspection proof sheet" that is completely bunk. As you can see in the photos, the scale is more or less 12" long but does not have an accurate zero and includes graduations that belong to other scales. These scales are not made individually to size and just cut with a saw when the assembler feels it's around the required length. Saw cuts are still present on the edges and are not ground square. The inspection sheet stated a squareness accuracy but when held to a Starett machinist square, there was a 0.007" deviance from one side to another. The finish is also subpar, showing bright streaks across the satin finish as if somebody dragged it across their bench. The included heads feel rigid but they also need some convincing to slide on to the scale - but what's the point if the straightness or flatness is already in question? Save up a bit more cash and buy either a Starrett or Mitutoyo because I wouldn't even rely on these for carpentry.

The ruler was difficult to feed into the clamp in the square and the protractor had something wrong and never did go onto the ruler...returned.