Starrett Catalogs

Are there numbered catalogs after #28? I'm looking for catalogs in the 1990-2000 range. I have a 1991 price list but not a catalog...does anyone have any info or resources so I might secure a few from this time period?? Do I just need a later edition than the #1 that I have?? I have the most current print edition, but would like to fill in the gaps


tia

John,

Good question! I have a #28 "First Edition" and a #28 "Second Edition". And, I couldn't find a way to order a new catalog on the Starrett web site.

For what it is worth, the "Second Edition" has the "Suggested Resale Net Prices" supplement and is dated "February 6, 1989". The supplement is also identified as "Bulletin No. 132W - Issue No. 36".

Hope this helps??

Hi Mac...I have a couple catalogs No. 31B that are dated 2007...and the First edition catalog No.28 I have is "copyright 1976. The L.S. Starrett Company First Edition, 1979 Reprinted, 1985 Printed in U.S.A."

Since the Roger K. Smith Study ends with catalog 27, 1955, I would love to be able to try to get some sort of addendum together of the main catalogs from #27 to present...

I noticed some time ago on the website a mention that print catalogs were available upon request, along with the fractional and tap/drill cards in "limited reasonable quantities"...but I couldn't find that anymore. I've noticed some changes to the site lately as some tools are no longer available...I'm sure with a call to Sherri in parts, or the front desk and you could get an up to date catalog. (978) 245-3551

There's a couple 31B catalogs on ebay now for 5 bucks plus shipping. ...that's where I got one of mine fwiw, the seller was "millright ron"...a decent/fair seller

on edit: Here's an extra bit of info I just found...

http://www.starrett.com/pages/1176_catalog_31.cfm

Winter 2007

The New Starrett Full Line Catalog No. 31 is Now Available

The new Starrett Full Line Catalog No. 31 has recently become available. This catalog replaces Catalog 125 issued in 2005, and several editions of Catalog 30 published between 2001 and 2004.

John,

Great detective work! I'm going to try to get a copy of #31 - including 'net pricing'. I'll let you know if I get one, but it could be a while.

I'm guessing that with the economy of 2008-2009, Starrett is struggling to keep its head above water. It might be smart to not print a catalog because of the cost and to rely on the web instead????? But resale/store dealers would need something to have in house to look up items and prices. Yes????

So, for an 2008-2009 catalog? I might have to call them.

I'm sure no one is following this thread, but if you are lurking, HURRY! GET YOURSELF to the Starrett factory in Athol, MA for a tour. It is like nothing you have experienced. From my past experiences, just go to the employment office and they will set you up with an apprentice who will escort you for up to 8 hours anywhere in the plant- except the rule engraving room.

Want to experience an 1890 factory? Go there!

Thanks John!!!!

I used your link to request a copy of the latest Starrett catalog. It just arrived FedEx and is Catalog 31B, dated 2007. Probably exactly what you have, even though they seem to imply it is a new 2008-09 catalog.

Interestingly, the refused to send the associated prices brochure and instead referred me to retail businesses.

A quick perusal of the catalog sure shows the differences in content between 1900 and now! I think after he left Digital Equipment Corp (DEC), Phil Stanley (Boxwood & Ivory author and well know tool antique rule researcher) went to work for Starrett helping them get into digital measuring tools. There appears to be a severe number of them in this catalog!

Starrett is a great company. It has progressed and is surviving the Japanese onslaught of precision tools - at least for now. But, the new catalog is not nearly as interesting as say catalog #12!

Oh, and the claim that L.S. invented the "first combination square" is still there on the inside cover page. He certainly perfected it, making it a useable tool. But, based on patent dates, Orril Chaplin invented the first combination square a decade ahead of Starrett!

For catalog info: I have catalog 29s printed 1996.

Probably more than you want to know

Perhaps contributing more than anyone wants to know about Starrett catalogues, my collection includes:

Catalogue 27, © 1961, 3rd ed., 1962
Catalogue 27, © 1976, 5th ed., 1976

Catalogue 28 had a lot of iterations and this catalogue number was used over a span of at least 17 years. I have six versions, one marked 1st edition, four marked 2nd edition and one marked 3rd edition with copyright dates from 1976 to 1993. My 2nd editions are further described as “Vol 1, issue 3 12-89” (suggesting there were an issue 1 and 2 preceding?), “Vol 2 issue 1 2-91” and “Vol 2 issue 2 11-91”. The oldest 2nd edition I have is simply further described as “2nd ed. 1988”

Catalogue 29 was printed in two sizes. One was designated 29S and was the “traditional” size, just slightly larger in outside dimensions compared with Catalogue 28. A larger size, about 8 3/8 by 11 inches, designated simply “29”, had color photographs for the first time; 29S had the same photos in black and white. I have one catalogue 29 and one 29S each with a copyright of 1996 and a second 29S with a 1998 copyright. It is also marked 1998 on the spine. As far as I know only catalogue 29 was printed in the larger size.

My catalogue 30 has a copyright of 2001. It has been posted above that several editions of this number were printed between 2001 and 2004. Catalogue 30 and subsequent catalogues have been illustrated with color photographs. Also catalogue 30 is the last to show toolmakers’ buttons, showing a set of four, available in .300 and .500 inch diameters, catalogue numbers 494A and 494C.

Catalogue 125 was, of course, their 125th anniversary catalogue. Mine has a copyright of 2004 (their 125th anniversary was in 2005). I don’t know if this catalogue had more than one version.

And Catalogue 31 is, of course, the current. I got mine in Feb. 2007, having ordered it from Starrett as soon as it was announced. Copyright is 2006. Mine is simply designated No. 31. Since the version being sent out now is “31B”, my hunch is there was also a “31A”. If so, “31B” is the third version of this catalogue.
David

I have to differ with AntiqueMac's Statment.

"Starrett is a great company. It has progressed and is surviving the Japanese onslaught of precision tools - at least for now. But, the new catalog is not nearly as interesting as say catalog #12!"

I have always loved Starrett's tools and the pride they used to put into them.I had a pair of Micrometers repaired at their shop for a manufaturing defect.The graduation markes on the thimble were twice as wide as the marks on the sleeve .So!! I got them back with a new sleeve and a new thimble along with vise marks all over the frame.And!!!! Their response is!They work dont they!!I am throught paying 30 percent more and getting 1/2 as good as the Japan made tools.I paid 200 dollars for a v-block that I had to deburr.One of my coworkers got a 30 dollar copy of the same block.He had to remove no burrs and his was as accurate and square as mine.

lets see if they repair the vise marks.I am waiting on the mailer.

See picture below

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll59/d-hartman/Starrett/DSC05230.jpg

Maybee they will tern this around and start producing quality tools again.

Don

I have catalog 29s dated 1998.

I think the "quality issues" are related to the times we live in. Particulary the outsourcing of product production and what it's done to domestic production. I'm not surprised and I might expect this considering the "widening" of other Starrett product lines including contractor's 25 foot tape measures (which has been covered more than adequately- and cheaply - by Stanley IMHO) and contractor's string-bobs (those things with chalk and a wound up reel of string on the inside, ditto on Stanley and others.)

Expansion of the Starrett product line at this point is either a.) outsourcing product generation and attempting to garner a small percentage of the massive product flow coming in from overseas to the Starrett name or b.) a genuine but misguided attempt to actually compete in the marketplace, a move usually counter to good business sense when you're already having trouble competing on the basis of name recognition alone.

Usually, the best business sense when facing competition over a wide scale is to pick your strongest business line, and then specialize in that. Eric Sloane (A Museum of Early American Tools) indicated "Paint Bananas if you want to, but do the best banana you can and be sure that everytime someone sees a banana - they think of you." It may result in a "business contraction" for one's self, but at least you'll survive. Recently it's worked for General Electric (Gas Turbines), Westinghouse (Nuclear Power Plants) and even Pratt & Whitney during their aircraft days, and the current "spin off" of P&W Measurement Systems.

I think those that collect Starrett in all their iterations are wise. And a full line of catalogs would be a good place to start. And to do it now before Starrett takes their final swan song makes sense - and might even delay for a short time Starrett's ultimate demise.

With the recent downturn, I got an Email from Stanley Tools encouraging me to "buy my woodworking plane repair parts - SALE." It was an obvious attempt to bolster some aspect of Stanley Tools in the now ongoing recession (there, I've said it.) I took advantage and ordered a couple of parts needed. They have yet to arrive!

Somewhere I've heard that the US Government has bought up something on the order of a full year's Starrett Production and "hardened" it into one of the nuclear resistant sites in South Dakota - to be used during the rebuilding of the infrastructure in the event of a nuclear attack.

Want to increase the value of Starrett already collected? Simply provide a couple of early catalogs ONLINE and available for people to compare to what they already own. This will "prime the pump" and open people's minds to what is actually out there. I think this was the rationale for at least a couple of the tool dealer sites to do this. And some, like Roger Smith and Kenneth Cope, are able to glean a living from producing the type studies.

I'm all fer it. We here in New England (and yes the United States) have forgotten what a remarkable thing, and a position in the world we had until WWII. And I emphasise the past tense here. But what we're seeing regarding outsourcing is not unexpected, free enterprise being what it is. (Was!)

We just have to get used to those stencil painted boxes and foam peanuts that everthing comes packed in.

And hope there is never a war. They'll kick our butts.

Joe in NH

Joe,

You go guy! Great thoughts!! I think the era of high dollars paid for early machinist tools, no matter how rare and how intriguing/neat is over. I bought my collection for the fun of having it. Some day soon it may become a weighty albatross for me or my estate to dispose of!!

Don,

What Starrett did in your repair is criminal. If I were you I'd email them the link to this thread and I'd email Joel Shaunessey (married into the family there) with a suggestion the company really doesn't want this type of discussion about its quality on the Internet. I personally think they owe you a full set of new mics!!

old_dave said:

Perhaps contributing more than anyone wants to know about Starrett catalogues, my collection includes:...

David

Click to expand...

Dave,,,Great post, and many thanks!! This was a big help, and thanks to your post I was just able to fill out the top end of my Starrett catalog library nicely with a few available catalogs from the big auction site.

fwiw I've had nothing but very postive experiences working with the folks at Starrett. The very few times I've received faulty parts a quick call resulted in instant replacement...no questions asked. Tech support and Starrett parts dept. have always been respectful and super helpful while suffering my sometimes long and detailed inquiries and parts orders.

I buy lots of Starrett tools, new and used. I always try to budget or build the cost of at least one new Starrett tool into every job as a reinvestment in my business...and theirs. I believe that as conscientious operators and craftsman we have a responsibility to put out the best possible product for our clients, and by using the best possible tools we're able to work more effectively, and efficiently. I know for a fact I am. I also feel as Americans it's our responsibilty to support other U.S.A business' and products.

Nobody puts out a perfect product every time, but the measure of a man, and a business, is the willingness and effort to make things RIGHT...no matter the cost. I think Starrett fits the bill for me for a lot of the hand tools I use. I like to balance out my collection with a wide variety of manufacturers from all over the globe however. IMO it's a learning experience finding the best quality tool to fit the bill for the long haul. I'll be interested to see how everything works out with the mic issue...I hope it goes well. Please keep us posted.

One day I plan to visit the Starrett factory and get that tour...can't wait. Thxs for the excellent info everyone... great thread and site here.

• Hi guys, I am new here and doing research on the Starrett tool catalogs. I have a modest collection but am looking for numbers 1-14, 16,17. If you know of anyone interested in selling theirs to be recorded, well preserved and cared for or do any of you know if there is a museum with such physical or digital copes of these older hard to find articles? I have never seen physical copies and am beginning to wonder if they have survived? Thanks for your help. I have a vision of creating a digital copy of the full catalog set from 1882 to present for all of us historians and Starrett tool enthusiasts out here. Your thoughts and opinions are greatly valued.