affordable angle finder???

[steve garro]

Can anyone make a suggestion of a digital angle finder that is accurate enough for your needs but won't break the bank?
Alan Jylha

For any use other then what is calibrated on my jig I use one of these, for reals:

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/3...-Practical.jpg

- Garro.

[steve garro]

For any use other then what is calibrated on my jig I use one of these, for reals:

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/3...-Practical.jpg

- Garro.

I would edit "not digital" - sorry - but for general shop use and it won't break = pretty handy!
- Garro.

[werksmini]

I have this bad larry. Works the treat. How are you guys using these magnetic angle finders? Are you first leveling the jig or just subtracting?

91pHgbp2NjL.jpg

[triathloner]

I have a protractor similar to what Garro posted and use it to check angles to adjacent tubes. I just feel that using a digital would be nice for checking angles while in the jig. Do I need one, probably not, but think that it would be a nice check for the small price of admission when the eyeballs start playing tricks on me. Thanks.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Alan- Just remember to allow for possibly bowed tubes. Early on I built in hockey stick sub assemblies with a vernier protractor and found the ends were off by close to 1cm sometimes yet the measured angle at the joint was correct. Turns out I learned about tubes that weren't completely straight. Andy.

[cardinal-creative]

How are you guys using these magnetic angle finders? Are you first leveling the jig or just subtracting?

I have the Beall Tilt Box and it has a relative zero function, which allows you to find angles when your jig or whatever is not level.

[ides1056]

Just wondering what Ron Cooper used?

Jay Dwight

[e-RICHIE]

Just wondering what Ron Cooper used?

First and last names, please.
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...rum-36866.html
Thanks

[steve garro]

You guys ever check your frame angles after joining with one of those digital protractors?

- Garro.

[e-RICHIE]

You guys ever check your frame angles after joining with one of those digital protractors?

- Garro.

I don't check them before or after atmo.
Totally linear here.

[crumpton]

i have a fancy $150 digi level and i don't use it for framebuilding. if your miters are right then the frame angles should come together right. it doesn't hurt to be able to to set inclination on your fixture.

i think folks can get into trouble with checking tube angles/geometry with a digi or other because quite frankly what is your reference? earth? if the line through axles isnt at absolute 0* or at least know, then the rest doesnt mean much.

[Dmoeny]

regarding the accuracy question, I have the Harbor Freight magnetic job posted above for use on the table saw... mine is off by 1 degree from one side of the saw blade to another. But given the expected QD, another one might be bang on.

[ides1056]

Just wondering what Ron Cooper used?

Jay Dwight

[Doug Fattic]

Ron Cooper board.jpg

Just wondering what Ron Cooper used?

Jay, This is a picture of Ron Cooper’s fixture and angle finder (part of a machinist set). Many classic English builders used something similar called a "sizing board”. F.W. Evans in central London claimed to have invented it in his advertising brochure in the late 30’s and said it was easier and more accurate to use then a full scale drawing. I saw them throughout England in the 70’s and an old one (no longer used) was on the wall at Ellis Briggs in Shipley West Yorkshire where I learned. The one I brought back from Johnny Berry’s shop in Manchester had marking to show the head and seat tube angles. The piece that represents the down tube is positioned by measuring from the bottom of the head tube to the front axle representative. No trig necessary. This concept formed the basis of the one’s I now have laser cut and etched out of stainless steel. Almost every dimension can be read or set on the fixture. I’m getting a hobby version made in Ukraine. Their economy and currency has gone completely south in the last year making their products cheaper and therefore more affordable.

One advantage of a sizing board type of fixture is that once it is set, one can compare the accuracy of a miter against the fixture rather than the miters' accuracy (which could be off) setting a fixture. In other words by placing a top tube miter against the head tube as it is held in the jig, it is possible to see if the top tube aligns along the entire length of the flat stock of the fixture that represents the top tube. And it is possible to also see if the distance between the top tube miters fits between the head and seat tube being held in the fixture. This is particularly useful when hand filing. Now it is possible to change either the miter, the fixture or not worry about any differences.

Doug Fattic
Niles, Michigan

[turpentine]

Anyone else use a protractor and a plumb bob?

[jclay]

Anyone else use a protractor and a plumb bob?

Close, if seldom. Cardboard, pencil, protractor. For hi-tech I use a cabinetmakers mechanical angle transfer doo-dad.