Customer Reviews

Incra GSQR5 Guaranteed Square 5-Inch Precision Square

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I once thought that when you bought a square and took it home, it was square. I just got this square today, and I am surprised with its quality and accuracy. I used it to check carpenter's squares, tri-squares, carpenter's speed squares and a precision Starrett branded machinest's square. Each was off up to .010" except the Starrett, which came in a close second this one. Not bad for the Starrett, since it is over 30 years old and has been dropped many times on a concrete floor. The INCRA is better than the Starrett, since the Starrett is rusted and pitted from years of sitting around in the garage shop.

I know that this is one of the best squares I've ever own and will own. My next purchase will the one with the 45 degree angle.

I have owned this square for almost a year now, and I find myself using it more and more with each passing project. It, along with most other Taylor Design Group products, is well thought out and has superb machining. I took this tool to work and put it on a surface plate, and it is indeed accurate inside and outside to within .002 along the length of the blade. The part I truly appreciate is that it is as accurate using the inside 90 degree as it is using the outside 90 degree ( or 270 degree, however you look at it :). I routinely use this square to set up all my stationary equipment. To me a square is all about trust. I use this square to set up a tool, then put it away and let the tool do it's job. I own a Delta Beisemeyer for exactly the same reason.

The only draw back to this tool is the price. In the end, its just a piece of aluminum, anodized and all shiny, and it probably cost 8 bucks to make. I feel a lower price would be more appropriate, but in this case you certainly get what you pay for.

You do indeed get what you paid for. It seems to be dead-on as my wood joints come out tight. The lip works great for marking boards, and its perfect for tuning tools. Incra offers a lifetime accuracy guarantee on their website, and even claims ordinary drops can't affect the angle. And I drop alot of tools.

I have no way to test this tool except to use it to calibrate my tools and if the woodworking job comes out perfect then I know this tool was dead on for what I use it for. I have 4 Incra guaranteed squares(5" square, 5" 45 degree, 7" square, and 7" 45 degree) and absolutely use them religiously to calibrate all my tools (table saw, jointer, planer, miter saw, band saw, drill press, circular saw, router table, etc.). While they are expensive I learned in an engineering class that you have to pay more for better tolerances and the expense here is well worth it over a cheap square. Yet there are more expensive squares out there and the Incras are "guaranteed" so if they are not perfect they will make it perfect. If you purchase these I don't see how you will be disappointed as they are one of the best asset you can buy for quality work.

I use this square for everything and it is absolutely FANTASTIC. People keep saying, "It's too much money for a woodworking square, but might be okay as a machinist square.", but what they don't realize is, any good woodworker worth their weight in salt squares machinery ALL the time: Their own machinery. Face it, we live in a world where you can't trust gauges on woodworking machines to be that accurate, especially in my shop where I have a love for rebuilding worn out tools into like new, well, finely tuned machines.

So far, here's some of what I've squared, in addition to just 90's on wood:

-Table saw blades after angle cuts
-Initial table saw arbor adjustment (parallel to miter slot), subsequent fence adjustment for same.
-Radial arm saw table to blade after new top installed
-Drill press arbor to table
-Mortising attachment for drill press (2 planes there)
-Bandsaw blade to table (check for tire alignment AND table alignment to blade) VERY necessary for Resaw or veneer.

So why do I use this square? Easy. The less error in my machinery, the less cumulative error is transferred into my substrate. The accuracy marked on wood is a nice aside and it's great to have a square that's fit for "double duty".

The only square I had before this was a free gift one from Grizzly. Turns out (assuming the Incra one really is square) that it wasn't too square. I've been able to square my table fence, blade, miter saw, etc., and it is great for marking. I guess the reason I believe that the product really is square is because the joints and cases I've made with it fit beautifully - that's a big change for me, and it has made woodworking tremendously more enjoyable. I also got the the 45 degree one, and love it as well.

This is a beautifully made tool. The material and form are top notch. The tool is, as far as i can tell, accurate to better than 0.01 inches along its length.
Now the question you have to ask your self - is it really worth $42? I think it probably isn't for most users. I compared this square against a random selection of tools that I already own. This included plastic squares, drywall tee squares and a framing square. Over the length of the incra sqaure they are within, at worst 1/64in, by my measure. The incra square is handy, sturdy and a joy to look at.
I doubt if it will be affected by a drop - but then neither will my plastic square.
So I rated it 3 stars - it is exactly what it says it is and it does that job...but is it worth it? I don't think so.
Your measurements and your technique are, for most of us, limited by factors other than the ability of this device to accurately measure square over just 5 inches. Wood itself is both an imprecise and forgiving medium.
If you really must have the best and the prettiest get this one otherwise get a cheaper one - check the cheaper one for square by drawing a line, flipping it and drawing another line on the same edge and seeing how far off they are...if you can live with the error then you are okay