Bevel Box Advice

[Mikegtr]

I am about to buy a Bevel Box. Doing a search there are a few on the market. Different prices. If you use one would you recommend it? Accurate in the workshop?

 

[Spectric]

I think they are all much the same, make sure it has a magnetic base which comes in handy and ideally takes AAA batteries and not a coin cell.

https://www.applebywoodturnings.co....l-box-angle-finder-with-1-5v-aaa-battery.html
or look at these

https://www.chronos.ltd.uk/product/digital-protractor-bevel-box-angle-finder-with-magnetic-base/

 

[Kicked Back]

I am about to buy a Bevel Box. Doing a search there are a few on the market. Different prices. If you use one would you recommend it? Accurate in the workshop?

I don't think any of them are accurate. They use IMUs internally, and cheap ones (sub £100 for just the chip) just can't deliver that kind of accuracy.

For cuts that need to be 90 degrees I'd always just use a square. For uncommon angles that don't need too be that precise, the bevel boxes are handy.

FWIW, I have the UJK one from Axminster.

 

[Spectric]

You need to define accurate, I find that if you use it for relative measurement and not absolute then it can have its uses, so put it on a bed and zero it which becomes your datum and then it will give 90° to set a fence accurate enough for your needs. As said if you want something to give an angle to two decimal places you need to look at inclinometers and be willing to pay for an accuracy you really don't need.

 

[Doug B]

I prefer a digital protractor I've found the Mitutoyo excellent

 

[Simon89]

I’ve got a trend bevel box for the TS and it’s great for what I need. It may not be 100% accurate, but it’s a good starting point and you can always micro adjust after a test cut.

 

[Peter Sefton]

I love it as a bit of kit, so many uses around the workshop, that reminds me my dad borrowed my second one for surveying a roof the other week!

Video I made showing some of the ways we use it.



We recently added the new backlight version but sold out as soon as we got it in, should be re-stocked soon.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/i...and-protractor-with-backlight-3rd-generation/

 

[johnnyb]

I've always resisted thinking it was a gadget tbh.

 

[Sideways]

I don't own one but have seen them used. Super convenient for setting the angle on a tablesaw blade but 1 degree resolution in 90 isn't good enough for me. I'd always end up using a square.

For setting level in interior fitting work, I do use a stabila 600mm digital level that is 0.05 degree accurate at 0 and 90 degrees. That's a great tool because it's so easy to see and no need to look at a bubble square on.

 

[MARK.B.]

I have the Gem Red version of this handy little gizmo ,cannot remember how much it cost but it was not very expensive ,great for the table saw and loads of other uses both in and out of the shop

 

[Spectric]

It is ok for things like mitre saw blades and such but not for longer elevations because it only represents a small part of the incline, this is where the inclinometers and longer digital levels come into there own. This one is very handy for larger projects.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stabila-ST...4ISTAUQ/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B004ISTAUQ&psc=1

 

[Distinterior]

I bought one years ago from Axminster Tools (cant remember the brand name on it) and have always found it accurate enough for my needs.
I use mine for setting blade angles on my table saws and adjusting/checking the angle of my bandsaw table and planer thicknesser tables.

Also used it recently to check for square on my Startrite pillar drill table, pillar and chuck during reassembly after refurbishment.

 

[peter-harrison]

A vote for the Gemred. I use it all the time. Its accuracy is quoted as .2deg which if true is good enough for woodwork.

 

[johnnyb]

I do use a laser level for kitchens. I've got a bosvh pam220 great for angles like stairs and roofs it's a good substantial tool with pretty useful features tbh £60. my saws scales are pretty accurate tbh.

 

[johnnyb]

scale on the saw