Woodworking Scales, Gauges and measures with a digital display is a big bonus to us Mature woodworkers.
Why is Digital Tools Good?
- Visual Aid
- Smaller increments
- Accuracy
- Just bl..min cool
Visual aid
I have struggled to see those simple rules that are fitted to my machines because my eyes aren’t what they used to be. Installing a remote digital gauge by Wixey has saved my bacon. It is clear that the installation of digital aids is the way to go.
Smaller increments
A standard rule will be divided in metric or imperial increments of around 1/32 or a millimetre. Digital scales are capable of much finer definition and so accuracy is easier to acquire.
Accuracy
Wixey is a good option for accuracy of 1/500-inch The measuring range is 12-inch but some of the lower-cost imports are comparable.
Digital Tools
Below is a few modern workshop additions that I recommend. I have most of these digi scales or I have first hand experience with. Please take the time to consider them below.
The Wixey Digital Angle Finder
If you are like me and you find those standard measurement gauges on tools such as table saws difficult to see then the Wixey angle finder is for you. Height and distance from the fence are bad enough but the angle measurement is particularly inaccurate. This inaccuracy forces you to use some form of an angle gauge or protractor. The Wixey angle finder is easy to use and it is magnetic. A Digital measuring gauge is an answer to the fast setting of machines saving you time. A Cheaper version is available here and the one demonstrated in the video below
Being Magnetic the Angle Finder is easy to store close to the woodworking machine
Calibrating the Wixey Digital Angle Finder
When you want you to use your Wixey Digital Angle Finder you first have to calibrate it first. You calibrate the device by placing it on the table and press Zero or Calibrate. This will set the machines table to Zero on the device and then place the Wixey on the saw blade and alter the saw blade angle until you have the angle you want.
The Wixey Angle finder can provide accurately the angle of a saw blade or tilting table.
Using the magnet you can place the Wixey angle finder onto the blade itself and then alter the angle of the blade according to your table saws Reference Guide. Just alter the angle of the saw until the correct angle appears on the dial of the Wixey angle finder.
Do not forget to reset set the angle finder by placing onto the flat surface and pressing the reset button. This will recalibrate the Wixey angle finder.
Wixey WR510 Digital Planer Readout with Fractions
This digital readout is a blessing and will help reduce the need for or using vernier gauges. I have this gauge installed on my 10 inches over and under planer. These excellent devices really help as they reduced the need for checking the thickness of your planed timber as often as you would have to without one. Since my eyesight has become somewhat degraded at this ripe old age of 50 I find this digital readout device a must. These digital devices are great gift ideas for Christmas or Birthdays.
Low-Cost Remote Digital Thicknesser Gauge
Another Wixey Remote Planer Readout With Fractions – 300mm (12″)
Digital Readout Linear 0-150mm Accurate Digital LCD
Digital Readout 8″ Accurate Digital Large LCD Readout
Video below demonstrates the budget version
Wixey WR25 3″ Mini Digital Height Gauge
I don’t own this digital tool but a colleague of mine does. He uses this accessory on a regular basis and is very happy with it. I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t own this machine but already own and another digital height adjuster.
The things he has pointed out to me which he finds useful are as follows:
- Magnetic feet help it stand upright on the cast top of his table saw
- Because of this digital measure design, it can measure vertically and horizontally
- Simple zeroing for calibration
- Can measure channel depth with the included pointer
This digital measure works well with.
- Table saw blade height adjustment
- router cutter depth of cut
- router cutter distance from the fence
- Dado adjustment
Measurement range is 0-3. 2” (0-83mm)
As well as the digital readout you also have a steel rule Which has a dual metric and imperial scale
- Displays inches with fractions or millimetres
- Lays flat for the fence to blade or router bit from fence positioning
- Locking rule for repeat setting making multiple settings easy
- Measure bore and slot depths with the plunger attachment so great or drilling wood or cutting channels and rebates
Wixey WR700 Saw Fence Digital Readout
- Measures up to 60-inches total length
- Simple mounting brackets easily attach to almost any rectangular rail or round rail fence
- Large easy to read display reads in inches with fractions or millimetres
- Mounts on the left or right side of the fence
- Magnetic attachment allows the fence to be removed and maintain calibration
Another great table saw addition that will greatly improve accuracy. Also, this gadget looks cools as well as bring your machine into the modern world. If this is a possible gift idea it will surely make the receiver super happy.
I don’t yet have this digital tool fence gauge added to my Jet supersaw but it is on my list of pressies to myself.
Features: Works with most popular brands and styles of fences including Biesemeyer, Powermatic, Jet, HTC, General, Steel City, Delta Unifence, Dewalt, Vega and more
From the Manufacturer
This easy-to-install Wixey WR700 Saw Fence Digital Readout kit comes with all the mounting hardware needed to retrofit Biesemeyer, Delta, Vega, General, Ryobi, Ridgid, Jet, Powermatic, and almost any other round rail or rectangular rail fence. As in other Wixey digital readouts the full function display measures in inches with fractions or millimetres. It has both absolute and incremental measuring modes and retains the calibrated setting even when turned off. The unit can be calibrated to either the left or right side of the blade and the auto shut off function preserves the battery. The WR700 has a resolution of .005”, 1/32”, or 0.1mm along with an accuracy of .002” per ft. of measuring length and repeatability of +/-.0025”. It utilizes the patent-pending “Precise Fraction Technology” used in many Wixey products which gives the displayed fractions an accuracy of 1/500” (.002”). The WR700 comes with 63” of a track which is attached to the bottom of the existing fence rail using the supplied self-threading screws and drill bits. The digital readout can be attached to either the left or right side of the fence and attaches using a unique magnet system which allows the fence to be removed leaving the readout in place and calibrated at all times.
Digital Caliper 6 Inch Measuring Tool Stainless Steel Inch/MM/Fractions, Electronic Vernier Calipers Gauge for Woodworking by REXBETI
Manual Vernier callipers are a pain to see. Especially those with simple etched gradients can be difficult to see in poor light. When our eyes become less efficient standard etched scales are hard to see.
These well priced digital vernier callipers are smooth to use. Made of Stainless steel so resistant to rust caused by the humidity we could find in our woodworking workshops.
Accuracy to Resolution: 0.0005″/0.01mm/1/128″
Pinless Moisture Meter – test the moisture content of your wood without making holes
Dr.meter Intelligent Moisture Meter
Most moisture meters use the principle of measuring the resistance between two metal prongs. the resistance between the bronze becomes less when they come in contact with moisture. this method of measuring is a common way to ascertain the moisture content of a piece of wood. the problem with this type of moisture metre is that you can damage the timber surface. sometimes that does not matter but other times it does this is where the Dr.meter intelligent moisture metre comes into its own.
This particular metre measures moisture in timber by sending a signal into the timber by a transducer on the back of the metre and measures the moisture within the timber. It is not difficult to realise that a moisture metre that does not damage the timber is preferential.
This pinless moisture meter uses HS electromagnetic waves to measure the water content of the wood.
Like most moisture metres this doctor metre md9 18 measures the percentage of the water contained within the wood. the MD 918 has a very wide measurement range between 4 and 80% and has an accuracy of 0.5%.
As a woodworker I often find myself using this meter to measure the water content of wood because I season my own timber. even when purchasing timber from a lumberyard it is a good idea to have a moisture metre to check the moisture content. You cannot always rely on the person selling you the timber to be entirely honest or knowledgeable.
Specifications
Measuring Range: 4% ~ 80%
Max. error: 1%Rh+0.5
Resolution: 0.5%
Environment temperature -10 ~ 60 ºC
Humidity: 0 ~70%RH
Power supply: 3 x 1.5V AAA battery
Weight: 95g (not including batteries)
Size: 132 x 67 x 26 mm
Digital Marking Gauge
iGaging AccuMarking Digital Wheel Marking Gauge
If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for a woodworker then this has to be it. This digital marking gauge is just so cool but yet very very practical.
Yes, I love my veritas marking gauge but this igaging marking gauge is certainly on my shopping list.
Obviously any woodworker is out to get the best accuracy they can. No matter how hard you try to get back perfect mark on your piece of wood there’s always a level of inaccuracy.
When using a traditional marking gauge you first have to measure your position for the Mark you then have to transfer that Mark to the marking gauge. This alone is too many anomalies to get a highly accurate measurement transferred to your piece of wood.
Resetting this gauge Is a cinch. so making multiple marks even though the gauge has been used on another project you only have to dial in in the measurement and you are are ready to Mark your piece of wood again. with an accuracy of 1000 of an inch you can be sure that this igaging gauge will provide you with repeatable results.
- Measuring Range: 0-6″; Accuracy: 0.001″; Repeatability: 0.0005″
- Inch/Metric/Fractional Display and conversion
- Super High Precision Hardened Alloy Marking Wheel
- IP54 Humidity & Dust resistant
- Spare Battey included
Hand Plane Digital Depth Gauge
iGaging Digital Plane Iron Check
Well, this is blooming cool and is now on my Christmas list. At first glance, I could not see the practical use for such a device. After some thought, I can really see how I could use this digital hand plane depth of cut gauge.
- Precisely setting the shaving thickness
- Setting the hand plane for its optimum cutting depth
- Showing off on my Youtube videos!
What I really like about this novel woodworking digital gadget is that it takes the guesswork out of setting up our beloved hand plane collection. Personally I would find this iGaging Digital Plane Iron Check.
Magnets secure device to plane bottom during adjustmentsReading: Inch/mm/Fractions – 0.0005″/0.01mm/ 1/128″Accuracy: 0.001″Measuring range: 0-5/32″Super Large Display. Humidity & Dust Resistant.
- Precisely Set Your Plane Iron or Jointer Knives Depth of Cut in Seconds
- Magnets secure the device to the plane bottom during adjustments
- Humidity & Dust Resistant
- Reading: Inch/mm/Fractions – 0.0005″/0.01mm/ 1/128″ Accuracy: 0.001″
- Measuring range: 0-5/32″
- Super Large Display.
Top Quality Vernier by Mitutoyo 500-196-30CAL Digital Caliper with Calibration
Mitutoyo Series 500 digital vernier calliper
This hi-quality digital vernier calliper measuring tool. Mitutoyo Series 500 has been around for a while supplying verniers for many scientific institutions such as schools and colleges. I already have a set of Mitutoyo’s and a heavy-duty Rabone Chesterman. Since my eye are not what they used to be I find this Digimatic Caliper is a dream to use. With it’s ZERO/ABS key allows the Digimatic display to be Zero-Set at any slider position along the scale for incremental comparison measurements.
- Calibrated calliper with a measurement range of 0 to 6″ (0 to 150mm), resolution of 0.0005″ (0.01mm), and an accuracy of + or – 0.001″, for measuring inner/outer diameters, depth, and step of items in harsh workshop conditions
- LCD screen displays in inches and metric units
- Thumb roller and Absolute electrostatic capacitance type linear encoder for accurate measurements
- Functions include absolute measurement, incremental measurement, scale contamination alert, and low-voltage alert
- Includes a Mitutoyo Certificate of Calibration that the tool has been calibrated, and meets the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025 International Standard for testing and calibration laboratories
Technical Data
- Accuracy: Refer to the list of specifications
- Resolution: 0.01mm or .0005″/0.01mm
- Repeatability: 0.01mm / .0005”
- Display: LCD
- Length standard: ABSOLUTE electrostatic capacitance type
- linear encoder
- Max. response speed: UnlimitedBattery: SR44 (1 pc.), 938882
- Battery life: Approx. 3.5 years under normal use
Digital Sliding T-Bevel Gauge & Digital Protractor in One
General Tools 828 Digital Sliding T-Bevel Gauge & Digital Protractor in One
Yet another great visual measurement tool. The highly accurate sliding bevel with its digital readout gives another dimension to the traditional sliding bevel. This digital bevel allows you to collect angular measurement from anywhere. Then transfer to the workplace or just add it to your design.
The sliding bevel has been around for a while and a great tool for transferring angles to the workplace. Think of it as an adjustable protractor and take the guesswork out of the design process.
The sliding bevel is useful for:
- Setting out staircases
- Repeating angular measurements
- Finding angles from plumb
- Finding angle from level
- create regular to extra-ordinary angles
DETAILS:
- Large LCD
- Four control buttons provide five functions: Power on/off, Reading hold, Read reverse angle, Flip display, Clear readout
- Auto power off
- Stainless steel blade
- Impact-resistant ABS handle
- Power source: “CR2032” Lithium-ion battery (included)
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Range: 0 to 360°
- Accuracy: ±0.3°
- Resolution: 0.05°
- Blade length: 8 in.
I hope you found this article interesting. If so why not have a look at our article on testing your woodworking square
Read our 10 must-have the best DIY tools
Check out my 5 cool worker gift ideas
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These tools allow for more precise and efficient work and can be used to create a variety of different projects. While traditional woodworking methods are still used by many, digital woodworking tools are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a number of advantages.