Subject: Bridge City III

From: "John Hofstad-Parkhill" <[email-masked]>
Date: 28 Mar 1997 05:16:43 GMT

The order continues to trickle in, most recent arrival was the AS-5,
adjustable try-square.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to return it (if possible). However, what I
expected and what *you* might expect are completely different.

What I was hoping to find was a decent replacement for my Starrett
double-square. An otherwise wonderful tool that's hard to read (for my
eyes). I find the combination squares inconvenient at times due to the
head. The double square was just the right size and weight to be very handy
most of the time.

According to the catalog description of the family of adjustable try
squares, not only are they calibrated to .001", but the graduations can be
used to measure height. And the pop out slide stop allows for "hands free"
operation of the square.

I saw the specifications but was not paying attention. As the handle is
less than 1" thick, the outside graduations have no reference point, other
than the inside face of the blade. The 1" mark on the outside edge actually
sits at the 0" point on the inside edge, the 2" mark at the 1", etc.
However, because the handle is less than 1" thick, the 1" mark isn't 1"
away from anything, except the 2" mark. 

Again, don't flame me because of this, as I said I wasn't paying attention.
What you cannot do is use the outside graduations to measure something like
depth of cut on a router table for instance. That is, you can't set the
square down, with the blade sticking up in the air and measure anything. 

As for the slide stop, it sticks. But no matter, as it does not work as
advertised. The weight of the blade is not enough to hold the handle, as it
is in the picture. Again, the picture is not the AS-5, but the AS-14. The
AS-5 sports the same slide stop, so I assumed it was there for the same
reason. I have no idea what it's for.

As for +/- .001", well it shipped +/- .002" and quite frankly either case
is pretty darn good, certainly well within any tolerances I'd ever need. No
big deal.

I've wondered often why a try square wasn't graduated, and was hoping that
the BC square would fit size & measuring needs. At $85, it cost me less
than the Starrett will end up costing, but the Starrett will be able to do
what I hoped for and will cost more only because the satin chrome blade is
special order.

---

From: [email-masked]
Date: 28 Mar 1997 18:42:02 -0700

>away from anything, except the 2" mark. 

Having been intrigued by the previous post I measured my AS-3, AS-5 and AS-14.
On my AS-5 the handle is 1.0003".  Pretty close to 1".  The outside scale was
checked against a 1" cube which miked out to 0.9985" (using three different
mikes) and shims.  The outside scale was dead on (trying to interpolate to the
middle of the etched 1" mark).

The AS-14 measured out at 0.9985" on the outside scale and the AS-3 measured
out to 0.9945" on the outside scale.  None of these appear too bad as even the
AS-3 was accurate to better than 1/128".  I don't do woodwork to that precision.

>square down, with the blade sticking up in the air and measure anything. 

If your square can't be used send it back, it is clearly defective.  Mine aren't.

>reason. I have no idea what it's for.

Once the knurled knob is loosened the little blade should not stick, if it does the
square is defective.  The other comment is quite true.  The only use I have found
for the little blade is to keep the handle from tipping along the edge.  The blade
could have been omitted with no loss of functionality.  Normally I hold the square
when I am using it.

>what I hoped for and will cost more only because the satin chrome blade is

Note that to use the Starrett as you wish, you will have to align the marks
yourself.  My BC squares are quite accurate and they are already aligned.

ernie fisch

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From: "John Hofstad-Parkhill" <[email-masked]>
Date: 29 Mar 1997 04:25:21 GMT

> On my AS-5 the handle is 1.0003".  Pretty close to 1".  The outside scale
was

You are correct, very close to 1".

The specifications state the handle to be .92", or .08" less than 1".
Taking out my rule graduated to 100ths, I find .08" to be more than 1/16"
as I stated.

> AS-3 was accurate to better than 1/128".  I don't do woodwork to that
precision.

Nor do I, but the handle specs on the AS-3 are the same .92"

> If your square can't be used send it back, it is clearly defective.  Mine
aren't.

When did you get yours?

> square is defective. 

Quite so, quite so.

> yourself. 

You are correct. However, I can easily accomplish that well within 1/16".

> My BC squares are quite accurate and they are already aligned.

I wish I could say the same.