Wixey Digital Fence Readout and Angle Gauge $99 @ Woodcraft

[jhart]

I guess I have some confusion over how and what the 20.00 gift card comes into play. I don't believe I saw anything on the site about a gift card with over $100 purchase. Was this a special offer from someplace? Where did the code come from? Was there a day when this started? Any info would be of help if I contact customer service. Thanks

[garymuto]

Joe,Ii recieved a postcard from Woodcraft a few weeks ago and had no intention of using it. When I read about the Wixey sale and someone mentioned the gift card offer I caved in and bought one. I don't know how long the offer is valid, but I think it might be through December. Anyway, if you order online just enter a coupon code at checkout (coupon code #10161). If you go to the store, they will have to see the postcard.
HTH
Good Luck

[LinuxRandal]

Offer ends 12/24/07 and Gift card must be used on next purchase were the restrictions on the card.

[gatordogs2]

As the Angle Guage costs ~$30, this looks like a good deal for the Wixey Fence Readout ($50 after gift card).

But the question is, how useful is the Digital Fence Readout? Does it make your projects/cutting all the better or is this more of a luxury item?

I haven't been able to find many reviews of the Wixey Digital Fence Readout.

[MBG]

As the Angle Guage costs ~$30, this looks like a good deal for the Wixey Fence Readout ($50 after gift card).

But the question is, how useful is the Digital Fence Readout? Does it make your projects/cutting all the better or is this more of a luxury item?

I haven't been able to find many reviews of the Wixey Digital Fence Readout.

No - it's not something you need to make better cuts. I just ordered one over the weekend. From what I have read, if you need to make a very repeatable cut after you have moved the fence it works well, if you have a left tilt blade you can easily zero the gage to the right side of the blade - even on a dado stack, and for some the display makes it easier to see your measurement than the stock tape measure.

Mike

[MikeMcCoy]

I just read a review over at Sawmill Creek and the consensus seems to be very favorable.

[garymuto]

In My opioion, pure luxury as it is a time saver. I've seen it fro 6 months and resisted the offer at $150.
The angle gauge is closer to a necessity, but still a luxury. I have seen nothing out there that has that accuracy at that price. Indispensible for setting up tools. I'm not afraid to move my jointer fence anymore.

[dlminehart]

Anyone know whether this will work with a Craftsman 22114 table saw equipped with the stock fence?

[LinuxRandal]

Would this work on a 21829 fence?

While there is a post on this, using the old BT3000 as an example, it seems a tossup, since the BTseries saws, have an advantadge of being able to move the rails one way or another, based on needs, and space around the saw.

Something to consider, since you will probably catch the other post.

[LarryG]

Linux: I don't think moving the rails would be an issue; in fact the Wixey system may have advantages in that regard. See the other thread in which the various issues of mounting the Wixey readout to a BT3x00 are being discussed.

David: I would guess that this system could be adapted to most any saw, given enough time, ingenuity, and patience. My guess is that fitting it to a 22114 would probably be relatively easy, given the type fence it has. But note my use of the word "guess," twice.

Everyone: Looks like the price of this may be back up to $150. The blurb saying it's $50 off, plus the free angle gauge, is still there; but when you put the item in the shopping cart, it shows $149.99 with no indication of the $50 discount.

Everyone, Part Deux: Does anyone know whether the absolute accuracy (as opposed to relative accuracy) of this system has been checked? A digital readout that's repeatable to 0.001" or whatever it is sounds great, but if the track the digital "brain" is reading from isn't 100% accurate along its length, that kind of precision doesn't mean much.

[garymuto]

The sale is still on December 1-31, 207

I got the Woodcraft Flier last night and it shows the $99 price with the angle gauge. I think the gift card coupon is still valid too. Coupon code 10161 $20 off $100.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Everyone, Part Deux: Does anyone know whether the absolute accuracy (as opposed to relative accuracy) of this system has been checked? A digital readout that's repeatable to 0.001" or whatever it is sounds great, but if the track the digital "brain" is reading from isn't 100% accurate along its length, that kind of precision doesn't mean much.

I'll let you know tomorrow.

I have the angle gauge and find that it is very accurate. Others on SMC and WN tested the heck out of the angle gauge and found it to be accurate. I can tell you that the same technology is used on the Wixey planer/sander height gauge as the fence and the planer gauge is dead on however that is assuming my HF digital dials are dead on.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

This is a review from another website. This is not my review.

"1. The Wixey is auto-calibrating - run your fence up until it just kisses the blade, then hit "Cal", that's it. It is that simple! You can easily and quickly recalibrate if you switch to another fence orientation (Unifence) or are using a sacrificial fence. You must manually calibrate the Digifence- you lock the fence, cut a block of wood, measure the block with a set of calipers, then manually enter the size of the block "as measured with the calipers" into the Digifence's readout- two chances for error with the Digifence procedure.

2. With the Digifence, you must always leave your fence on the saw or it loses calibration and must be recalibrated each time (removing the fence is more complicated!) With the Wixey, the measuring unit and readout are a single unit that rides and always stays on the sensor strip. It is coupled to the fence via rare earth magnets. You can easily and instantly remove and reinstall your fence without losing calibration. Great if you are switching from fence to cross cut sled and back again.

3. Look closely at the resolution of both units- while the Wixey fractional resolution (and readout) is only 1/32" its readout simultaneously displays fractions and decimal inches. The decimal resolution is .005 (that's 1/200th of an inch). Accuracy- Wixey .002" per foot, Digifence- .01" per ?? Both units use the same technology, difference is in the application.

I have had a Wixey for over two years (Beta model initially) and it has always performed superbly. The only negative, and this applies to both- is that since you have the ability to set the fence to a precise position, you tend to do just that- it is not easy to move a fence only a few thousandths of an inch- you spend a bit of time tap, tap, tapping on the fence. I don't have a micro-adjuster, but that might help.

The difficulty mounting any of these units is caused by such a variety of fences on the market. The easiest mounting is to the Unifence with the newer style front rail with a T-slot in the bottom- no drilling required."

[dlminehart]

If you want to use this on more than one tool, I assume you really would want to buy a second one rather than move it from one to the other?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

If you want to use this on more than one tool, I assume you really would want to buy a second one rather than move it from one to the other?

I don't understand. What would you apply this to other than a TS? A second TS?