Which one? Sliding Digital T-Bevel or Digital Angle Finder?

[tohellwithuga]

I have $20 to spend at Sears that expires at the end of the month. I was thinking about getting one of the following (I currently don't have anything like this):

General Tools Sliding Digital T-Bevel for $25.06

General Tools 5-inch Digital Angle Finder with Analog Ruler for $20.97

If you could have only one of these, which one would you pick? Does one do anything that the other doesn't do (or, doesn't do as well)?

Or, would I be better off picking something else? (recommendations are welcome) Thanks!

[cabinetman]

With the choices, I would pick the sliding T bevel.

.

[woodturner]

Or, would I be better off picking something else? (recommendations are welcome) Thanks!

I have and use the digital level http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digit...1&blockType=G1

It has been on sale in past in the $20 range, but no telling if it will drop to that before the end of the month.

The level will accurately measure angles, relative to horizontal and vertical.


Which tool is "best" depends on what you are doing. If you are setting up machines, the level is very useful. If you are matching angles in existing work, the t-bevel may be easier to use. I'm not a fan of the t-bevel and don't use them, but others find them useful.

[tohellwithuga]

Thanks for the feedback.

This also looks interesting (although more expensive):

Bora Angle Master

[pelligrini]

I like using a t-bevel, and I have similar digital angle finder too. I'd pick the digital t-bevel. Be sure to pick up some extra batteries. Most of my digital measuring tools will be dead when I want them the most.

Another very useful digital tool is a tilt box. I have that Tilt Box II, and I had a early version Wixey. The Wixey finally quit working. The batteries wouldn't last at all with the Wixy either. I like the Tilt Box II a lot better, especially the built in level function.

[greenacres2]

I bought something like 50 of those button batteries for around $8 on e-bay last winter. Between my HF caliper, a few other tools and my wife's battery operated candles--we use that size. But i get at least 6 months out of the HF calipers.
earl

[tohellwithuga]

I went with the Sliding Digital T-Bevel - there was an extra 10% off in the cart so it was only about $2.50. Thanks again for the input.

[toolguy1000]

how'd you get the final price down to $2.50?

[LCHIEN]

tilt box (ala Wixey, others) is somewhat similar in that is displays digital angles, but it s also different and complementary so you might consider getting one of those also.


Unlike a fixed arm protractor device, it has a pendulum for live measurement of vertical angles. Its really useful for putting on a blade and cranking to a precise angle, or checking a jointer fence for perpendicular to the table, or setting a drill press/bandsaw table to angles - you can watch the angle as you make the adjustment, live. It has a zero so you can set the reference surface as zero and then magnetic bottom so you can attach it to a blade, fence, etc.

[Carpenter96]

The sliding T bevel much more versatile. Regards Bob

[tohellwithuga]

how'd you get the final price down to $2.50?

Sears sent out a 'bonus' 15k ShopYourWayRewards points worth $15 (maybe to everyone?), and I had a few already, so my cost was ~$2.50 after everything (a little less if you count cash back through referral links). Not a price that could be reproduced, just happened to work out that way.