Digital Angle Gauge

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Aug 20, 2004
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Woodcraft has their digital angle gauges on sale again. I use one on my sharpening machine, as well as to set jigs, tables, saw blades,weld angles, and other things.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5894&homepagedeal=true

They can be put on the blade (magnetic base on it!), and you can figure out what angle you need to hold the blade at for any result. It measures in tenths of a degree. No mater what angle you have your belt/stone/etc at, the zero function adjusts for it. Superb for adjusting tool rests and work table angles,too.As knife making tools go, this may be one of the lowest cost precision tools I have. It is a heck of a lot easier to read than a machinists goniometer.
Want 12.5 degree bevels....no problem ( well finding the angle is no problem - grinding a blade is still the same).
Stacy
 
The Wixey is addictive. So is the use of a Panavise and a Wixey to set a sharpening stone at a specific angle and then just grind vertical or horizontal (stole that idea from bfc user ksskss). If you want to be even more anal-retentive, try affixing a bubble guage to the blade you're sharpening to get an instant indication that your hands moved out of alignment. I got my Wixey at craftsman studio on special.

Stacy,

Will you be the first to break down and get a hand-held goniometer to verify the angles you've made?
 
Thanks for the review and heads-up, Stacy. I've been eyeballing those for months, wondering if they worked well. I'll order one while they're on sale.

BTW, good luck Friday.
 
Thom,
I have used optical goniometers in crystological studies. They would not be much use in setting up the angles, but could tell you if you did it right. I also have mechanics goniometers, which is basically a precision protractor with a movable reference arm.Still not much use in setting up the blade grinding angle. These digital,magnetic base inclinometers will give you a continuous reading while you grind if you want. I use it to set up my arm on my sharpening machine. The machine is still not ready for photos, but it works quite well. A build it tutorial will come later this year.
Stacy
 
Stacy,

I was thinking more along the lines of CATRA's Hobbygoni. It's a handheld goniometer used specifically for get blade angles. So far as I know, Sal Glesser's the only guy in the USA walking around with one that isn't home-made.

Would you be able to share more info about your sharpening machine?
 
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