Shopsmith Forums

I don't know how many of you are like me in that you can't bring yourself with part with the $39 sometimes on sale $29 to buy a Wixey or Beal angle finder but I found something that meets the need but also has other uses.

I was in Sears and found the Craftsman digital torpedo level on sale for $25 that seems to do everything a Wixey or Beal gauge does plus it acts as a level, give roof pitch, and tells the percent something is off.

You can use it as a level, as a 0,45, 90 degree finder (has a tone for these gradients), as an angle finder. It will also display by number of inches per foot something is off level.

I have played with a little bit and it seems fine for everything I can think of doing with it. You can set you table quickly and easily with it, plus you don't have to go looking for funny batteries for it since it operates on 2 triple A batteries.

Check it out at
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ital+level

Ed in Tampa wrote:I don't know how many of you are like me in that you can't bring yourself .......

I was in Sears and found the Craftsman digital torpedo level on sale for $25 that seems to do everything a Wixey or Beal gauge does plus it acts as a level, give roof pitch, and tells the percent something is off.............

Check it out at
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00948295000P?keyword=digital+level

Ed,
I couldn't see on the website where they specified the accuracy. Did the paperwork that came with it say? For $25, sounds like a good deal if the accuracy is there.

mickyd wrote:Ed,
I couldn't see on the website where they specified the accuracy. Did the paperwork that came with it say? For $25, sounds like a good deal if the accuracy is there.

It is accurate to plus/minus .1 degrees (same as Wixey). That info is in the ad if you are lucky enough to find it (like I did). Click on "experience this product"......

neat ad, I've never seen one quite like this

dusty wrote:It is accurate to plus/minus .1 degrees (same as Wixey). That info is in the ad if you are lucky enough to find it (like I did). Click on "experience this product"......

neat ad, I've never seen one quite like this

Yep! Just about everything but a Demo!:)

Anyone notice the advertised "temperature display" it has .

mickyd wrote:Anyone notice the advertised "temperature display" it has .

That is for measuring HOT angels:D (spelling intentional!;) )

Actually the temp display only displays at the time you turn it on. The instructions say it is to show you whether the guage is in the proper temperature range to work. I guess they are concerned about it being stored in a hot trunk of summer or a freezing cold trunk of winter and then tried to be used. The instructions says to inusre the temperature is in the approved range 32 to 104 degree F.

Hey it isn't perfect but for $25 plus having features the other digital angle finders lack I think it is a good deal. Notice also if all else fails you still have a liquid bubble vials buildin it to fall back on.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Actually the temp display only displays at the time you turn it on. The instructions say it is to show you whether the guage is in the proper temperature range to work. I guess they are concerned about it being stored in a hot trunk of summer or a freezing cold trunk of winter and then tried to be used. The instructions says to inusre the temperature is in the approved range 32 to 104 degree F.

Hey it isn't perfect but for $25 plus having features the other digital angle finders lack I think it is a good deal. Notice also if all else fails you still have a liquid bubble vials buildin it to fall back on.

How come you say it's not perfect Ed. I was going to pick one up tonight but now wonder what you might be seeing as issues?

Now this is a good example of the obsession with accuracy where it's not needed. Previously, we'd all use a liquid level and be quite happy when the bubble was between the two tick marks on the glass tube. Now, with this digital level one can get all worked up over the floor being 0.3 degrees off plumb.

I'm not saying its not nifty, or that there aren't times for this kind of detail. But most of the time it's not needed and just creates anxiety without any good purpose.

foxtrapper wrote:Now this is a good example of the obsession with accuracy where it's not needed..........

This is probably a good time to discuss WHEN this type of accuracy IS needed.