Reddit mentions of Combination Square

I recommend going slow with hand tools. Buy them one or two at a time, and then learn to use, sharpen, and care for those before buying more. This will help you get the best stuff for you while spending as little as possible. Let your projects guide your tool purchases.

Amazon isn't a great place to buy hand tools. Most people shop at either Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen, or eBay for planes, chisels, saws, rasps, etc. That said, there's a surprising amount of stuff you'll need that's not the tools themselves. Personally, I wouldn't want to saddle myself with an inferior tool just to use a gift certificate.

Anyways. Stuff you SHOULD buy on amazon:

Hand Tools

• A card scraper. Do your research--they're tricky to sharpen, but they're miraculous things. I like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Bahco-5-Inch-474-125-0-80-Cabinet-Scraper/dp/B0001P0PHW/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1407859293&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=bahco+card+scraper
  
• Baby's first hand saw: http://www.amazon.com/Tajima-Japan-JPR-SET-Rapid-Blades/dp/B0008KLNSA/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1407859464&sr=1-3&keywords=dozuki
  
  Clamps
  
  
• Amazon is a decent place to buy clamps unless you're into the HD/Lowe's arbitrage thing. There's good advice on what clamps you need here: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/the-big-squeeze/
  
  Measuring/Marking
  
  
• A solid combination square like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-11H-12-4R-Combination-Square-Wrinkle/dp/B0002CSBNO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407857853&sr=8-2&keywords=starret
  
• An inexpensive marking knife: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002X201/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• Your first festool: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UKRNG2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• I have some crown marking gauges from Amazon, but the jury's still out. I think I'm going to end up deciding that they're junk. They are cheap and will get you going, though.
  
  Sharpening Gear
  
  
• You can easily spend way more than $300 on a sharpening setup. Do your research. Most of the stuff you'll need can be found at Amazon.
  
• A good starting point sharpening stone: http://www.amazon.com/King-47506-1000-Combination-Waterstone/dp/B001DT1X9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407858723&sr=8-1&keywords=king+stone
  
• Training Wheels: http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Larson-800-1800-Honing-Guide/dp/B000CFNCKS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407858827&sr=8-1&keywords=honing+guide
  
  Consumables
  
  
• Wood glue--TiteBond II is what "everyone" uses. TiteBond III is more waterproof and gives you a longer open time
  
• Sandpaper
  
• Mineral spirits
  
• Finishing supplies
  
  Safety Gear
  
  
• The best splinter removal tweezers: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EMYHA8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• Band aids: http://www.amazon.com/Band-Aid-Brand-Adhesive-Bandages-Comfort/dp/B0047ITQ42/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&srs=2582875011&ie=UTF8&qid=1407859147&sr=1-5&keywords=band+aid+sheer+strips
  
• Safety Glasses, Hearing protection (if you plan to use power tools), Respirator (if you plan to make dust), etc.
  
• Broom, dustpan, brush.
  

You should check to see what he already has but my suggestions

1. You can't have too many clamps
   
   
2. for a luxury item, you could get him some top of the line marking tools or gauges - i.e. a nice pair of digital calipers or a super fancy combo square - these are things he probably has something of, but you could get him the Cadillac version

Non-mobile: Starrett Combination Square

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

I actually already have an empire 12 inch already but it's like a degree off. Yeah the starrett ones are sweet but really pricey. I think I may as well invest in it, if I can only afford one would this be a good option?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002CSBNO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_bWABub16GPKRE

Or should I go with the other style?

Ooh and the saw is an old Atkins I don't really know much about it. It's like three feet long I think.

Excellent. In that case, you're better off with a gift card to rockler or woodcraft. Because some of the smaller things you can buy at that price range can really be a hit or miss based on what she has and/or her skill level or interests. I'd suggest a starrett 12" square but that might not be the right tool bc she may not care about that level of precision and a regular $15 square from home depot might be enough for her. That being said, Idk of a single woodworker who would not be happy with a starrett square if they don't have one already. haha.

If one is so inclined, they can make most of their own tools...

... but how many hobbyists in this sub are running Festool stuff or cabinet saws for 4 hours a month. Every day I see a "look at my new $1000 toy, how do I make a cutting board" post.

It's not really that major of an expense. This one here is about the same as mine and is only about $80. Realistically one half the size would be more than sufficient for most people. Most table saws will only expose 3-1/2 to 4" by about 6" of blade anyways. A Starrett Combination Square is $77 on Amazon, so it's not like it's a crazy expense.

I do agree with you overall that it is far beyond the precision you need for woodworking. I wouldn't dream of trying to cut joints to the thousandths of an inch. You'd come back the next day and the board would have grown/shrunk. Hell, the "ground" versions of these things are insane and belong in the inspection department of a precision machine shop.

For machine setups, however, I don't think it's a big deal to go a little overboard on precision. A well adjusted tool is like a well adjusted person... Less likely to hurt somebody.

Of course the best reason to have something like this... Sometimes you just need a 40# weight. Don't you want one with a nice handle? ;-)