Benchdogs Ultra Combi Square Review: Is this the ultimate combi square?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi another great video, this week having a look at the Benchdogs combi square. I really like this tool - let me know what you think. Cheers Andy

[@TheLastPharm]

Your channel should be the official instruction manual for all their products. Many functions are simply too complex to be clearly explained on paper. This channel is the definitive missing link. Well done!

[@Benchdogtools]

Well done Andy. A nicely executed informative video and thank you for the review

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Cheers Ralph, Andy

[@mikej460]

Excellent review chap, just what I was looking for.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you, Cheers Andy

[@makermark67]

Excellent review as always. This looks like a great product. Thanks for sharing. Love the channel.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you for the comment, Cheers Andy

[@paulmaryon9088]

As always a great and informative video, must say I do like the quality and feel of Benchdogs tools, and of course made here in good old blighty! Thanks again

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thanks Paul, Yes they are a quality product. Cheers Andy

[@jaycee3683]

Hi, Great video, I was just wondering though on the guide hole size of the ruler. Does the Festool 5mm centering bit fit properly as apposed to the 4mm Benchdog centering bit it was designed for? Thanks

[@eirikmangseth7952]

I was on my way to order a couple of similar Woodpecker products but your video made me change my mind 😊 though I might give it a month or two to see if they bring out a version with both the 90 and the 45 degree angles.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi Erik, The 45 is definitely on the way, I have seen pictures of the pre-production version. It’s looking good. Cheers Andy

[@eirikmangseth7952]

@@TheWoodgrafter Sweet!

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Oh yes,

[@ericjackson2915]

Great review! These remind me of Woodpeckers Dexable squares, but they don't have the functionality of 32mm. If the holes were 5mm instead of 4mm, Id definitely purchase as it would be a handy item if needing to add additional holes to an existing cabinet. I use the LR32 system as well, so 4mm is a non-starter! Thank you for the excellent review!

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you, Don’t forget the demo showed was with a 5mm bit and it worked well. That's why I stressed a quality centering bit works well. I wouldn’t go directly into those holes without the centering bit. Cheers Andy

[@brianhawes3115]

That thing is awesome with the 32mm holes and the little shelf that slides out, pound,quid, pence, just for reference how much is a pint at your local pub?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Yes it’s a great product, I have the 45 degree version now as well. Review is coming soon. A pint varies across the UK a pint is around £4.57 in average. Cheers Andy

[@kaktus3175]

Doing the flip test okay. I would have loved to see a backlit check to your true Incra tool as well. Also, I do wonder why one would still need their T-Square having this... Any thought on that?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Hi, I find the flip test works better on camera, it's sometimes hard to see the light on camera due to the brightness of the studio lights. It’s a different use case, they also make a really nice set square that would have cross over.

[@kaktus3175]

@@TheWoodgrafter Oh, good point. In other videos this was quite visible. But this obviously depends on the settings in the studio. Different use case - hm. This does not feel that way fro me, but I am not as experienced as you are and have not done complex projects yet.

[@mandipchaggar1885]

Look good but I can see a long term issue. The milled slot what gives its 90 deg will simply wear away due to stainless blade sliding along many times during use. The starette or similar are usually made from cast iron and won’t wear away as quickly.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Now that is a very good point, it will be good to revisit in the future and see if is has slipped. Cheers Andy

[@s70cas7ic0]

I’m worried the steel ruler is gonna bite into the aluminium body. Am I wrong?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you for the comment, It is a valid concern, time will tell if it is an issue. I’ll probably do a 6 month review. Cheers Andy

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Like it, I’ll follow those to come.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you for the comment.

[@julianniemeyer1655]

I see this as competition to Woodpeckers In-Dexibles. I hope Ralph has looked at them and will eventually match the choice of heads that they offer. In terms of blades, Woodpeckers just don't understand Metric or 32mm - their metric blades (when available) have 30mm holes not 32mm. In terms of price, they look comparable - you pay for quality. Maybe you should do a head-to-head review?

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Thank you Julian, I would love to do a head to head review, but sadly I don’t have access to Woodpeckers gear. I can only talk to the quality of the Benchdogs product. Mind you, if somebody wants to send over a Woodpecker - I will gladly have a look :-) Cheers Andy

[@samrix5793]

Looks like a great tool but quite expensive compared to others

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Cheers Sam, I guess it depends what you are comparing it to. Mind you, everything seems expensive at the moment. We could do with the global recession coming to an end, get the cost of raw products back to a sensible level. Cheers Andy

[@samrix5793]

@@TheWoodgrafter I do agree with that and the video is a good review of the square

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Why thank you kind sir :-)

[@kaktus3175]

Hi, I just got my combi square and I am pretty disappointed by it. First of all it slipped through benchdogs quality control and I will get a new one. But on top of that: The holes are not the same as the steel square ones. Hence, you will need the drill guide from the t-square. I already hate the fact, that benchdogs has different sizes/guides. When working on one project I do not want to think which drill guide I have to use with which tool and also I am not eager to buy more than one drill guide. The worst part is that you are only able to use a 4mm drill guide with the combi square. In Germany 5mm is way more common and hence the holes and drill guide I bought (the wrong one - I could swear the information which will fit was not on the combi square website, when I ordered it!) are useless for me. I was looking forward to the combi square very much, but this is a bummer for that sort of pricepoint.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Sorry to hear that, In the video I was using the Festool 5mm drill guide, the web site does mention it takes the 4mm guide, it doesn’t mention the 5mm. I didn’t realize the holes are a different size than the steel squares - that does seem a bit of an oversight. I’ll mention that to Ralph as feedback, I would also rather it all worked with the same drill guide and that drill guide be 5mm. Sorry you aren’t happy with the purchase. Andy

[@kaktus3175]

@@TheWoodgrafter Hi Andy, I already emailed with benchdogs. They say there would not be another way, because the square would not be square anymore, since the center of the block is 20mm and the center of the hole is 16mm. Not using a 5mm hole but 6mm (for the guide) would cause problems there. I haven't double checked this on my square. Without having it in my hands I cannot follow this explanation though, because the block is movable and should be square on every point of the blade? Maybe I will try to expand the holes to 6mm on my old blade and see how it is working then. And I know it's on the website now that the TR4 drill guide is the correct one. As I said, I could have sworn it was not there when I placed my order. I looked at the different drill guides and thought about if I should get one and if so which one. Oh well, new lesson learned in life.

[@mjscpr]

What was the qc issue w yours? I received mine and really like it so far but agree with your comments.

[@kaktus3175]

@@mjscpr Some of the cut outs where not clean and the 32mm drill holes have chippings on the edges so that the block does not slide smoothly. ​ @TheWoodgrafter I think I know what the problem could/will be. The metal pin, which is clamping the blade to the block, is only 7-8mm wide. Extending the holes to 6mm instead of 5 could reduce the clamping area. I just don't get why Benchdogs did not simply made the Pin a little wider then. This is an unnecessary limitation and a misconstruction imho. Please, emphasize this if you have a good contact to them. Maybe they listen a bit more to a KZbinr than a normal customer...

[@kaktus3175]

I must admit, I am not that happy with benchdogs right now. They offered to send out a new blade "as soon as possible." Now the square is available (I think the website stated in stock Jan 10th) and I have not received anything. Even more bothering to me: When I checked for availability, I realized my rather critical product review on their website just disappeared... EDIT: But prompt answer on my email regarding this topics on a sunday! Wow :)

[@rankin0909]

Nice product except it’s not £99 as that doesn’t include vat or shipping. Benchdog should do what is best practice in the UK and include non optional taxes when they quote prices.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

yes I got that wrong, sorry. Benchdogs ship globally now so they allow for tax at checkout. Cheers Andy

[@tonwolfert7655]

Total costs including VAT and shipping to The Netherlands is €141.90 and there might be a hidden surprise from DHL charging handling costs (additional about €20)

[@TheWoodgrafter]

@@tonwolfert7655 wow, that's heavy. That would come in around d £150 shipped, mind you the similar Woodpeckers device is well over £200 shipped so still comparable to the competition. Cheers Andy

[@monkeysausageclub]

Slight correction. It's £99 + vat so £119.

[@TheWoodgrafter]

Oh dear, What an oversight, so sorry and thank you for the correction. Andy

[@julianniemeyer1655]

@@TheWoodgrafter But after using your code, the price is £94 + VAT. Every little helps!

[@TheWoodgrafter]

@@julianniemeyer1655 I can consider myself forgiven :-)