Watch This Before Getting a Digital Angle Gauge!

Рет қаралды 114,376

Күн бұрын

Digital Angle Gauges AKA Digital Inclinometers are woodworking tools for helping to find certain angles on woodworking machinery like table saws, miter saws, and even bandsaws and for setting up angles for cutting wood, they are easy to use and all of them work in a similar manner but some have more features than others and like many things, the more you invest the more features you can often get making the tools quicker and easier to use, they are not a substitute for engineers squares or drafting triangles but a very handy for finding intermediate angles that are often used in woodworking furniture and cabinetry builds. Similar tools like digital protractors can also help you calibrate your power tools.
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00:00 I - Video Intro
00:39 - How Digital Angle Finders work
01:29 - Comparing digital angle finder types
02:37 - Comparing features of 2 different brands
04:41 - Research leads to a different brand
06:10 - Pros and Cons of different brands
07:03 - Using in lay-back mode
07:43 - Using on the table saw
08:30 - When NOT to use a digital angle finder, use Engineer's square
09:00 - The best time to use the digital angle finder
09:31 - Using a Drafting triangle for 45-degree angles
10:03 - Video Conclusion and link to Marking and Measuring Tools

Пікірлер: 115

@muttleydk 2 жыл бұрын

on the tilt box, the 0,0x rounds 0 or 5.. where the other one has 0-9.. thats why the tilt box looks more stable.. but you are right, if you cant read sideways, its bad.. but then again, nothing a magnet and some ca glue couldnt fix in seconds..

@larrybud 2 жыл бұрын

4:29 magnet on the bottom is better because you're always referencing from the same point. Put magnets on the side, and now you're at the mercy of the accuracy of the case being square, unless you remembered to zero it after referencing the side of it.

@MrBobWingard 2 жыл бұрын

And you will find that the Beall Tilt Box is perfectly square, so that is not an issue.

@stevem268 2 жыл бұрын

i have used the beall just as described, it is perfectly accurate using magnets on two sides. i can cut bevels on the ends of 4 pieces for a small box using the beall on my 1935 delta tilting table tablesaw. the joinery is flawless

@larrybud 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrBobWingard Doesn't mean the process can't be improved.

@333rpd 2 жыл бұрын

I got my TiltBoxII many years ago. Don't use it often, but when I do, it works. Unlike the other digital tools that I got, and never use because the button cells go dead, the Tilt Box II has a 9 volt battery and lasts a very long time.

@vtxdaryl 8 ай бұрын

These degree tools work perfectly in finding the angle on knife sharpening tools. You can sharpen a knife without them but they tell you the angle you are sharpening at and later you can repeat the same angle. Different knives take different angles to sharpen.

@JosVanWeesel 11 ай бұрын

Usually these kind of titles are just clickbait to help get views, but your review on the two different angle finders are actually incredibly useful to know before making a choice. Just one difference (like the side magnets) can set one angle finder apart from another, thanks for all the useful info!

@KGallagherGuitar 8 ай бұрын

Helpful video thank you. I'm not sure if someone else has already mentioned it, but I think the reason you can't get the red box to go to zero is that it has a higher resolution than the yellow Tilt Box. This explains why the Tilt Box has a more stable reading. Although they both measure to two decimal places, I noticed in the video that the Tilt Box reading goes up at 0.05 degree increments, while the red box goes up at 0.01 degree increments. This doesn't necessarily make the red one more ACCURATE though.

@robertbamford8266 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. The kinds of features you don’t think about until you buy the wrong one.

@jamestauby4034 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect timing. I was looking at Rockler, Woodcraft, and the big box stores online yesterday. I will now go back and look for at least three sided magnets. As for the 45 degree drafting triangle, they also come in a 30,60 & 90 combination. I use my drafting triangles to set my tablesaw blades to these more standard angles.

@MCsCreations 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent tips, Colin! Thanks a bunch! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@Hitman.13. Жыл бұрын

If you want something that has a better screen and a strpng magnet, Klein make one, And it is also grooved on all 4 sides so it's sits perfectly against round shaped objects (pipes,conduit) it is made specifically fpr electricians, to use while bending conduit but it's an amazing product nonetheless! Thanks alot for the great content

@glennchaffin8446 6 ай бұрын

You just saved me money and frustration. I am in the market for one of these and your video has pointed me in the right direction. Thank you sir and I just subscribed.

@TorBoy9 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Colin, good to know. I was thinking about getting one to set up my table saw, but I think I'll simply use the engineer's square, which I already have and use.

@relmdrifter 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the heads up, I need a new one for caster/pinion angles

@wolfgangmarkow3487 2 жыл бұрын

If sou are looking for a Deluxe version, take a look at the DXL360S. It offers some more twists like measuring two angles at the same time and the rotation around the vertical axis. But at least the tilt box should have one V-grouve to attach it at a drill bit (or a precision miled steel rod put into the chuck) to align the drill press table perpendicular or at a special angle.

@jeancharlesmcote 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for information. Very helpful.

@daileydriven Ай бұрын

This was helpful. Thank you.

@villageidiot8718 2 жыл бұрын

I also like that it's from Beall. Good people. Thanks for the helpful information

@stephenrichie4646 2 жыл бұрын

Agree re squares for 90 deg angles. I also like using my 1-2-3 block; always handy, very stable. Besides, digital readouts may only give the illusion of precision 😉

@sixshooter3313 2 жыл бұрын

I have had one for many years. Don't use it for 90 degrees though always use a plastic draftsman 45/90 square like the one you showed. Enjoy your videos very much.

@qmoonwalker3847 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thank you!

@Engineer_MKII Жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Thanks so much!

@sarojpradhan4267 9 ай бұрын

Good research Lot to know from video Thanks

@andymilligan8485 Жыл бұрын

I found over the years that the tilt box works also on the band saw (tilt table), drill press (tilt table), belt sander (tilt table), disc sander (tilt table), scroll saw (tilt table), jointer fence (tilt fence), and sliding compound miter saw (tilt blade). The cheap version works fine in all of these situations.

@anthonyegner1382 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative thank you

@keithatkins7883 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the information! I am thinking about purchasing one! Although I am really not sure I need it! I just thought it would be handy!

@tinsu5894 19 күн бұрын

You can use double-sided tape and stick it on a flat magnet piece at any position you want to add.

@michaelwarren2391 2 жыл бұрын

In reference to the readout flip - that would let you know which side of vertical the blade is at, for angles very close to 90. But, I'm not sure when I would want to make a cut one or two degrees off vertical.

@christophermoore1774 2 жыл бұрын

I wish you had discussed Accuracy and Resolution! If you research some of the user manuals you will find they are typically only accurate to +/- 0.1deg when measuring near 0 and 90, and worse only +/- 0.2deg for other angles between (I have seen even worse on cheap models at Harbor Freight). This means two things: 1) a reading of 90.00 could actually be as far off as 89.9 or 90.1 in accuracy, 2) the hundredth of degree resolution position reading (0.0x) is actually irrelevant and essentially nothing more than a sales gimmick, as it never is accurate past the tenths degree position. Hence, I agree with you, I always use a hard machine square and 45 when setting my saw blade. As for in between angles, well its up to the individual to determine the acceptable error level for their projects, so I think it is important to mention that the displays are deceptive in their accuracy and resolution readings, and that users should check their manuals.

@sunnybnk 2 жыл бұрын

Very well said!! I couldn't have said it better myself. Its all about the resolution.

@RichardBuckman 2 жыл бұрын

Error in angles is such a funny thing too, because it’s much more abstract than other measurements we do. It depends on the context so much more than anything else. For example, if you are attaching a board to the angle, at the angle, and what you “care about” is the height of the end of the board, then 1 degree off of 90 degrees doesn’t affect things nearly as much as 1 degree off when you are at 45 degrees. And the scale matters because if you are talking about a board that is 10 feet long, your error is going to be ten times larger than if the board is 1 foot long, even though the error in the angle is the same. In contrast, if you are working with a 10 foot long board and you have an error of 1/16 an inch, it’s often becomes much smaller of an error on a 10 foot long board compared to if it’s on a 1 foot board, or a 1 inch board, etc. In the end though context is everything, and if you are really working on something where you need to be accurate to more than 0.2 degrees, you are either measuring the wrong thing to get your accuracy, or you need a different tool to measure your angle, such as one of those machinist level accuracy vernier protractors.

@thomassciurba5323 Ай бұрын

I guess that matters if you are a machinist, but for woodworkers +/- 0.1 degrees is plenty accurate.

@jimbo2629 2 жыл бұрын

I think it’s a case of over sophistication like the rack and pinion adjuster on bandsaws replacing a clamp. Digital readouts are a pain unless you replace the battery just before use usually. My saw has an angle gauge. I have a goniometer, squares and protractors. I use test cuts.

@EEEZSolutionS 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the informative video. I have been using the Huepar AG01 and I noticed its lack of accuracy. I would set it on a machinists square (even used a 1-2-3 block) to zero, then turn it 90 degrees and place on the vertical arm of the square or the same side of the block. I expected it to read 90 degrees but it wou;ld read anywhere from 89.5 to 89.85 AND there was a difference depending on which side of the gauge was used! That's when I began to distrust it and use my machinist square to set the saw blade. Apparently even the best digital gauge is only accurate to .2 degrees when compared to zero. I also like your idea of using the 45 degree side of a plastic drafting square to set the saw blade. Larry

@aaudain1 2 жыл бұрын

Great idea

@Robphoto37 4 ай бұрын

Thank you

@ivokolarik8290 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@Toyotajunkie 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with others, the "lack of accuracy" actually is a more sensitive setup. BUT... I absolutely hate the one you bought first (same one I think that I got when I broke my previous on). I also second the addition of mags via ca glue

@MixingGBP 2 жыл бұрын

I have one similar to the yellow one. I use it along with my Woodpeckers squares to ensure that I have at least 2 things verifying squareness. 7:56 Colin, off topic question for you...where did you buy the custom sticker for your fence? I want to get a custom sticker for my fence.

@joebrown1382 2 жыл бұрын

Mine is like the red/yellow one made by igaging. Magnets on 3 sides even comes with a little screw driver to replace the battery. I love it.

@brucelee3388 2 жыл бұрын

They also now have one that has USB recharging.

@sunpointstudio4472 2 жыл бұрын

I use one of these which have the magnet only on the bottom, but when I know the table saw blade is 90, I place the gauge on the blade and zero it to 0 then as I angle the blade, the readout doesn't invert and remains easily readable. I have also used an app on my mobile phone called an inclinometer which I've found to be very accurate (of course it doesn't have a magnet and needs to be held manually). The app also has a bubble level display which is also very accurate.

@dtemp132 2 жыл бұрын

I have the Klein Tools 935DAG and like it a lot. Would recommend it. $30

@peanutbutter2078 2 жыл бұрын

I have a Klein one and just came up with upgrading it by adding magnets on the sides.

@stevem268 2 жыл бұрын

i have used the beall for years too and i love it. a friend liked it so he bought a cheap knock off just like yours and hated it!!

@kathrynnewton8721 2 жыл бұрын

So good! Love the magnets on the sides. I bought one recently and it’s so irritating, I can’t get it to zero so always have to deduct the difference…… is the red one McAfrica by any chance - it looks like mine?

@grandaygain 2 жыл бұрын

I would have liked to have seen you place the digital gage on the plastic engineers 45 angle to compare the reading.

@musicproductionvideos5019 Жыл бұрын

I need to measure the neck angle on a couple flat top electric guitars. Would the Tilt Box work if I zero'd it while laying flat on the guitar body... and then moving it onto the guitar neck? thanks!

@oneeyedphotographer 4 ай бұрын

The red one probably has an OLED display, it's best for readability. The Tilt Box has an LCD display. Generally harder to read except in bright light where it stands out from the crown. The try square and set square argue with the teeth. For this reason I prefer electronic devices. I want angles between, mostly I would prefer the older electronic device. If I want to mark a line on a workpiece, that's the one.

@dpmeyer4867 2 жыл бұрын

thanks

@KingZoneOne Жыл бұрын

The issue I have with these types of meters is that the X/Y and Z angles interfere with one another, so it seems like you don't get a true measure, because you can never get the Z axis tilt perfectly vertical as not to interfere with the angle you're actually measuring on the other axis. EX: to get a true measure on X or Y you have to first be sure the meter is at zero (or 90 degrees the other way) for axis Z, otherwise X or Y isn't accurate. If you sit it down on your table saw (Axis X/Y) then tilt it slightly backward or forward (Axis Z) the measurement of X/Y axis (your table saw) changes. So for example I was using this to adjust the camber on the front wheels of my car, yet I didn't feel confident about the readings because I had to use a straight edge across the face of my wheel so I had to first be sure one axis (X/Y=wheel rotation) was as close to 00.00 as possible before I measured and adjusted the camber axis (Z). I couldn't figure out which numbers it was reading were the true measurements I was trying for (Z) or interference from the other axis (X/Y) being read also.

@jcarterodera038 Жыл бұрын

Can I use for roof pitch inspections

@thomassciurba5323 Ай бұрын

I just use a protractor app on my phone. I made a 3 sided wood holder for the phone and put some magnets in each side of the holder.

@royksk Жыл бұрын

The cheaper meter's sides are not set accurately, but the one with magnetic sides must be. Good advice, thanks.

@David-hm9ic 2 жыл бұрын

After using one for a few years it’s a tool of last resort to me for many of the reasons you stated. Good squares and drafting triangles are more precise. Mine is not square between the bottom and sides further limiting its usefulness.

@RichardBuckman 2 жыл бұрын

When you tilt it back, how does it measure the angle? Is it the angle multiplied by cos(theta) where theta is the angle tilted back? Or does it measure that theta and compensate for that? If it doesn’t compensate it could be a bad thing that it doesn’t give an error becausE it would be inaccurate although repeatable if you are holding it at the same angle (look up spherical coordinates for details)

@melainekerfaou8418 2 жыл бұрын

I suspect it does not do any correction and it would be confusing if it did. Therefore the late error message is indeed a bad thing

@RobertKarlBerta 2 жыл бұрын

These measure X and Y axis but NOT Z axis. As they tilt forward or backward the reading will vary from true angle. Some are a bit better but none currently do all three axis. I have one made by a high end instrument maker (Fowler) that is very good, has magnets on both sides, etc. I found the best tool for squaring the saw blade to the table is a tri square for 90 and 45 degrees. After that do NOT zero the digital angle gauge to the table top. Instead attach the tool to the saw blade and use an adjustable square to make sure it is square to the table front and back. Now zero the device and than tilt the blade WITHOUT rotating the blade untl you get the angle you need. Checking against a high end angle protractor the angle is dead on. For those looking for a good one of these....I-Gauging seems to have a good reputation and while I don't have that particular one, I do have some other I-Gauging digitdal tools that have been very impressive and accurate. I also have a machine shop wit metal lathe, milling machine, etc. so often workiing with measurements and angles far beyond what is needed for woodworking. By the way if you are looking for a cheap alternative, you may want to look into apps for your phone or tablets. I have one called Angle Finder by Smart Tool Factory that is an Android app that I use on both my cell phone and tablet. That one can do both bubble leveling as well as angles and is extremely accurate....as accurate as my angle cube! Note that all of these need zeroing once turned on. For a true bubble level you need an analog carpenter level type as it is showing true level to gravity.

@doncripemc3certifiedsr.med326 2 жыл бұрын

I am having glue up miseries. I can't seem to keep from making a terrible mess when I am comfortable with the amount of glue I use. I can't seem to find a gluing sweet spot.

@irakopilow9223 2 жыл бұрын

They also make drafting squares in 30-60-90

@Mike_Gray68 2 жыл бұрын

Wish you put this out 6 months ago. It would have saved me some money. I have one that is very similar to your first one. And it is total junk. I will put it on the table and zero it. Then move it to the blade. After I set my angle I put it back on the table and it was 5 thou out. I put it back on the blade and back to the table and each time it added 5 thou to the angle.

@fletcherdale4371 2 жыл бұрын

the "Drafting Triangle" also comes in a 30/60/90 configuration

@technoman9000 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video, thanks Colin! I've been thinking about getting one of these recently so this is very timely.

@paulmanhart4481 Ай бұрын

But what is the tolerance and the perpendicularity of the two magnets?

@cobberpete1 2 жыл бұрын

And you can quickly use a a speed square for 90 and 45

@Journeyman53 8 ай бұрын

I have found times when you need a magnet on the top, you just simply turn your level upside down and use the "bottom" magnets, the display corrects itself, voila!. 🙂

@Richard-dh8ny 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I'd like to purchase a machinist square like the one you used in this video. $15 for a nice large square is a great deal. Can you include a link to the product? Thanks! :))

@corin164 2 жыл бұрын

The second purchase is definitely the better of the two, but its view screen is unreadable in a shop environment. My previous angle finder was also unlit wcich always caused be to search for a flashlight.

@dwightl5863 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree the view screen is better on the first purchase. Most always need additional light on the other.

@robertball3578 2 жыл бұрын

I mounted a 4' florescent fixture over my saw to improve lighting for all tasks, it really helps me to see my marks on a board as well as machine adjustments. It was a pain to get access above the saw but it was worth the effort.

@AdrianP247 2 жыл бұрын

would fridge ceramic magnets from the real estate agents glued to each side fix the side-angle problem? cheap fix?

@tk421tt 2 жыл бұрын

Chances are you won’t maintain the angle accurately

@richpeggyfranks490 2 жыл бұрын

Great comment. I don't even know the realtor's name, but I have made many jigs/holders/etc. from their magnetic fridge ads.

@Erik_The_Viking 2 жыл бұрын

I've used the 45 degree angle from my combination square for setting up a good 45 degree angle on the table saw. Found it to be easier and quicker.

@stuartduncan2772 2 жыл бұрын

If you have an iPhone, you can use the Measure app's level to find angles. I'd imagine that someone with your skills could easily create a wooden holder with magnets in the various places to give you exactly what you want. Even better, if you enable the Voiceover accessibility feature, the phone will speak the angles as they change, eliminating the need to read the screen.

@gregghernandez2714 2 жыл бұрын

You are correct. I did see a video where someone did just that. He made a little wooden holder for his phone with magnets to attach to his tools. Pretty neat. There are also several angle finder apps in the Play Store if you use an Android phone like myself.

@thomassciurba5323 Ай бұрын

Not just iPhone, there are Android apps too.

@ironwood1621 2 жыл бұрын

I bought the cheaper one and I agree, it doesn’t give me confidence that it is accurate. It doesn’t zero out that well. I’m going to buy the Tilt Box.

@thomassciurba5323 Ай бұрын

Wouldn’t some ca glue and cheap magnets solve the problem of the cheap one not having magnets on the sides?

@robertball3578 2 жыл бұрын

A point of order, the hard to read display is LCD, the bright display might be LED.

@cityguyusa 2 жыл бұрын

But is it accurite? The 1st one showed less than 90 when you put it on the saw blade.

@leebernardo1000 2 жыл бұрын

Is the Black and Red one not as stable because it's showing Absolute Angle? If you turn that off it should be more stable especially at Zero

@LarryBloom 2 жыл бұрын

No, whether it is using abs or relative, it should be stable. And the bigger issue with the cheap ones is that they often are difficult to get to show 0.00, no matter what.

@gangleweed 2 жыл бұрын

One thing to realise..........the bottom may not be 100% square to the side, so if you place it on a horizontal surface and zero it then put it against the side of a saw blade, drill etc, depending on the accuracy of the side to the bottom, the .01 resolution accuracy will not hold......you can test the squareness by using a square you know is accurate.

@MatSmithLondon Жыл бұрын

Sadly can't get this in the UK, at least I couldn't find it

@billhandymanbill2775 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you so much! By the way, the display on the orange device is LCD (liquid crystal Display) not LED (Light Emitting Diode).

@williamwilson3145 2 жыл бұрын

Could you add magnets to the brand that is easier to read ?

@LarryBloom 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but only IF you can get the magnet to be perfectly square to the unit's base!!!

@williamwilson3145 2 жыл бұрын

Is the magnet that came with it square to the base ?

@Quentyn73 2 жыл бұрын

Klein tools one also doesn't have magnets on the sides and I also found that annoying

@akesq01 2 ай бұрын

Can anyone please tell me why the red one does not zero out? I have a cheapo one from China and I cannot get it to zero out.

@thomassciurba5323 Ай бұрын

1/100 th of a degree is plenty close enough for woodworking, seeing a zero just makes you feel good.

@AxGryndr Жыл бұрын

The mere fact that after decades of the table saw being a staple in the workshop there isn't a better, integrated, way to accurately set the angle of the blade is still baffling to me.

@joeviragh8721 2 жыл бұрын

I don't understand the problem with reading numbers at any angle or upside down. The numbers don't change. The stability of the readout is what matters

@robertjames-life4768 Жыл бұрын

Wow. That black one looks dreadful. I’ve had one like the yellow one for years and love it.

@jsporish 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if anyone has turned their saw on forgetting the angle cube was still on the blade?

@robira1313 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah. Sure did. ...and it did not survive the accident.

@LarryBloom 2 жыл бұрын

It may not be an issue, BUT are you certain that the case on the TiltBox is perfectly square? Because you are zeroing on the bottom surface, and then using the left side as your reference on the saw blade. Also, you forgot to point up the "abs" function that your cheaper one seems to power up into. VERY problematic, as that setting is NOT referencing the saw table, but is supposedly referencing the earth's surface. If your saw is not on perfectly level ground, you will get a bad reading for the blade.

@philshock3805 2 жыл бұрын

I've had a Wixey angle gauge for 7+ years that I use constantly. Only has magnets on the bottom and seems to be dead-on accurate. Replacing batteries is a pain of course, but it's a quick and easy way to check angles. I think that red one you have is simply poor quality.

@mrbamfo5000 2 жыл бұрын

Used my phone with an app the other day.

@petebusch9069 7 ай бұрын

Tilt box is no longer available.

@mikeymo7897 2 жыл бұрын

THEY DO SELL ADHESIVE THIN MAGNET STRIPS

@Suriprofz 11 ай бұрын

nice tool, to bad they are not su accurate

@Habibulla.M 2 жыл бұрын

You can add set of small magnets on the inexpensive model to get the same result.

@hansh3011 2 жыл бұрын

Before Getting a Digital Angle Gauge ? you are to late

@mefirst4266 Жыл бұрын

YOU COULD HAVE GLUED A MAGNET TO THE SIDE !!!!

@mikem264 2 жыл бұрын

Just a thought if your table saw is not level and you zero the digital device to the table saw bed your angle will be off. Steel square and speed square best. Set your blade to 90 degrees with square and then test the digital device for accuracy

@DavidE-zp5jr 2 жыл бұрын

I believe that it wouldn't matter if your saw was initially level since you're measuring the angle between the table face and the blade.

@LarryBloom 2 жыл бұрын

@@DavidE-zp5jr Agree...unless, of course, one leaves the thing on "Abs"!!!!

@greggarman7343 2 жыл бұрын

If you put the angle guage on the table saw bed and zero it out, it doesn't matter if the table saw bed is level or not because the guage is for measuring the difference between the bed and the blade angle. I get perfect angles every time.