Wixey digital gauge has a built-in level

Wixey introduced its new Digital Angle Gauge with level, model WR365, in January, designed to quickly and accurately adjust angle settings on saw blades, machinery tables and jointer fences.

The new model has the same 0.1 degree of accuracy and repeatability as the company's previous offerings and offers a compact 2.2" x 2.3" x 1.3" body with a magnetic base.

Company founder Barry Wixey says the gauge is primarily used for setting the bevel angle on a table saw. It's also handy at the compound miter saw and drill press. One of the most significant new features on the updated gauge is the built-in level.

"This can be used any time you need to set an angle. For example, if you want to drill a hole on a 5-degree angle on the drill press, you can use this gauge to set a really accurate angle on the drill press table in relation to your drill bit," says Wixey.

He clarifies a common misconception that users have, which is that the first step of setting the gauge requires a level surface.

"The gauge uses gravity to measure the angle that the blade is tilted and you set the gauge on any table surface - the surface doesn't have to be level - and you press zero and that calibrates the gauge with respect to your table. Then you stick the gauge on your blade, tilt your blade and it gives you the angle of the blade relative to your table, which tells you what your cut's going to be."

Wixey says the gauge is primarily for use with angles other than 90 degrees.

"It's not necessarily for a 90-degree angle, because you can get very accurate with a precision square. But if you want to do any kind of angle other than one that's 90 degrees on any of your tools, such as your jointer fence, this gauge is the quickest, most accurate way to do it."

In addition to the level, the gauge has a flip-up display for easy viewing from any position and a "hold" feature that allows the user to take a reading, hold the value and move the gauge to a new position. It also has a built in "V" groove for use on pipes or conduit.

The gauge sells for $49.99.

Contact: Barry Wixey Development. www.wixey.com.

This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue.