affordable angle finder???

[triathloner]

Can anyone make a suggestion of a digital angle finder that is accurate enough for your needs but won't break the bank? I can come up with dozens of things I'd like for the garage that run into the hundreds, even thousands, so I'd like to save some money where I can. Thanks. Al.

Alan Jylha

[LifeCycle]

Why use a digital one if you are trying to save money? This http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Level-...s=angle+finder one on Amazon is less than $12 and at most hardware stores I've been to it is around $9.

Can anyone make a suggestion of a digital angle finder that is accurate enough for your needs but won't break the bank? I can come up with dozens of things I'd like for the garage that run into the hundreds, even thousands, so I'd like to save some money where I can. Thanks. Al.

Ben Jones

[Eric Siepmann]

Starrett has many options. eBay has most for quite reasonable. I would suggest a seller who can calibrate if needed.

[fortyfour]

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

Both SPi and Fowler make small magnetic digital protractors. They're not cheap, but they are not super expensive. Both are below $100.00. ENCO is a nice source for this type of price point equipment/tooling choices I'd say. This is one thing you might want to spend a little bit more money on as accuracy of angles as it relates to your tube fit up makes for sound bicycle frames.

As an aside, The Golden Rule for Tools always applies: You get what you pay for.

[seankanary]

I use a General 5" angle finder. Works good enough for a garage hack and didn't cost much. Picked it up for $25 at a woodworking store locally.

General Tools and Instruments

[Dallas Tex]

$35 at Sears, Sears replaces them if something goes South. The illustrious Wade Patton bought me my first one. works great.

Has a superstrong magnet in the base & a V groove so its sticks to tubes well too.


Level.jpg

[Peter Polack]

I have a Tilt Box.

[PJN]

Phone app.

[foo_fighter]

This. The phone was just as accurate as: http://www.amazon.com/Wixey-WR300-Di...keywords=wixey
when I compared them. Though the wixey is magnetic which makes it nice for steel.

Phone app.

[Tristan]

I've got a Wixey Type 2 but it doesn't have a V grove and thus isn't ideal on tubes.

[triathloner]

Thanks for the replies. We have an angle finder at work that I think I will try the phone app against and see if it is good enough. Otherwise I like the tilt box and may just order that.

[David Tollefson]

I have this one:
Digital Angle Finder / Angle Gauge

Picture1.jpg

Tenths of a degree, magnetic.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Has any one seen a spec for or done their own tests to see how repeatable and how accurate the electronic angle finders are? Andy.

[shirk]

I use one of these. I have no tooling to adjust so it made more sense as I can use it to confirm my mitres.

[shand]

I think if you're serious about handbuilding frames in an 'artisan' manner then the tooling you use should reflect this too. While I agree that the digital readouts going on here can be pretty sexy, they do nothing that you can't do by simply using your grandfathers old pocket watch, an unobstructed view of the horizon and knowledge of your longitude.

It seems like the framebuilding world is fast filling up with people looking for a 'shortcut to quality'.

[bencooper]

Agreed, mostly - the eyeball is very, very good at checking things are parallel. What I use the digital wotsit for is checking things I can't eyeball - checking all the angles of a recumbent trike's kingpins add up, stuff like that.

[shirk]

I think if you're serious about handbuilding frames in an 'artisan' manner then the tooling you use should reflect this too. While I agree that the digital readouts going on here can be pretty sexy, they do nothing that you can't do by simply using your grandfathers old pocket watch, an unobstructed view of the horizon and knowledge of your longitude.

It seems like the framebuilding world is fast filling up with people looking for a 'shortcut to quality'.

A whole bunch of guys would need to unplug the BikeCAD also to meet this.

Or drop the "artisinal" bs.

[Dallas Tex]

I think if you're serious about handbuilding frames in an 'artisan' manner then the tooling you use should reflect this too. While I agree that the digital readouts going on here can be pretty sexy, they do nothing that you can't do by simply using your grandfathers old pocket watch, an unobstructed view of the horizon and knowledge of your longitude.

It seems like the framebuilding world is fast filling up with people looking for a 'shortcut to quality'.

this has got to be April Fools :)

[edoz]

Does this mean Drew needs to hook that new cnc machine up to a belt amd pulley system on the ceiling? Punch cards even?

[afwalker]

The Sears works great, but I use this for most things:
187-907.jpg
It is worth finding on ebay.
Universal Bevel Protractor Series 187
Buy 187-906 Mitutoyo Round Bevel Vernier Protractors from UseEnco
andy walker