Review on 📏 Starrett C604RE 6 Tempered Graduations Thickness Gauge: Accurate and Reliable Measurements at Your Fingertips by Mark Marcellus

I bought 4 of the most popular 6 inch rulers so you don't have to! This review focuses on the Starrett, but other models are mentioned for comparison. Speaking of comparison, let's start by listing the models and their weights: Starrett C604RE = 23g Mitutoyo 182-105 = 27g Shinwa H-3412A = 18g Shinwa 3001A = 18g The Starrett is significantly heavier and thicker than the Shinwa Rules. It feels about the same thickness as Mitutoyo. As mentioned, the graduation font is larger and much easier to read than any of the other brands listed here. This is the only ruler that I can read well without glasses. This is a big plus, although the angle at which the light hits can obscure the view a little more, you will see this in the photos. I think that's because the gradations are pretty deep and the rest is closer to the surface. On the back the graduations (in the 8th and 16th) aren't numbered, but in the other rules the graduation isn't numbered, so I can't connect the dots there, although that would be nice. Each rule has several distinct sub-patterns, usually associated with some type of front and/or back scaling. Once you have decided on a brand, find the sub-model that best suits your needs. Is that the ideal rule? NO - and here I have to deduct a star. Look at the photos, you will see that the Mitutoyo and one of the Shinwa models have the 32nd and 64th gauges right around... the Starrett has only the 32nd gauges right around. Sixty-fourths are printed upside down. (see photo) How does this affect real life usage? I'm glad you asked. Check out the second photo of this review. I have all four rulers measuring a 3 24/32" long box. - This means that when looking at the 64's graduations it should also read 3 48/64. Shinwa H-3412A and Mitutoyo line up that way However, since these gradations are reversed, Starrett makes it look like 3 16/64 if you're not careful... You have to turn the ruler upside down, but then the inches are reversed and the inch markings start at 5 Shinwa 3001A recognizes, that this is what has two sets of inch markings right side up no matter which markings you flip the ruler over to.... The downside to this is that half the ruler of this design is always upside down no matter how you flip the ruler.... Interestingly, Starrett has moved to this scheme in their 12" ranges (model number C304SRE-12). So what's the best rule? Well, I like the Shinwa H-3412A and Mitutoyo 182-105 layouts better - all dec are correct - and of the two, I prefer the Mitutoyo because it's thicker, heavier, and has a slightly larger font than the Shinwa. But I love the easy-to-read font and deep engraved feel of the Starrett graduations. I'd say the Mitutoyo is "best bang for the buck" at around $12 and probably as long as you have good eyesight. overall the best. You're getting old and your eyesight ain't quite what it used to be, spend $26 on a Starrett, don't forget to turn the ruler over when you graduate 64 and you'll be very happy. Are you dying for the cheapest option out there? Then Shinwa will do his job. I'll have to use Mitutoyo and Starrett side by side for a few weeks to figure out which one works best for me.