The Wixey Angle Gauge
It’s small, has a solid hefty feel to it and will put an end to the frustration you face when setting up your jointer, band saw and table saw, but it isn’t a new hammer!
The Wixey Angle Gauge can determine the angle between two surfaces down to one tenth of a degree using technology similar to that used in digital callipers. Setting the exact angle for bevel cuts on your table saw has never been easier.
The Wixey Angle Gauge is a small cube with a digital display and two buttons on the front and a battery compartment accessible via the back. This tool could not be easier to use; begin by placing the Wixey Angle Gauge on the cast iron surface of your table saw. There are three rare earth magnets in the base of the gauge that ensure it stays firmly attached to any steel or cast iron surface. Press the left hand button on the face of the unit to turn it on and then press the right hand button to zero the reading.
Your table saw does not have to be sitting level to use this gauge, but if you want a consistent reading it will need be sitting solidly on a stable floor. Raise the blade to its highest position and then attach the angle gauge to the blade at 90 degrees to the table; the difference in degrees between the top and the blade will appear on the display. Crank the blade over until the exact reading you need appears on the Wixey.
The Wixey Angle Gauge also easily sets the jointer fence, band saw table and compound mitre saw perfectly as well. For years I’ve been using an engineers’ square for my machine set up, and that was almost as accurate for 90-degree cuts. I set the blade with the engineers square and then checked it out with the Wixey and as often as not I was out by a tenth of a degree. Where the Wixey really outshines all other angle setting jigs is at angles less than 90 degrees; with resolution down to 1/10 degree dialing in the exact setting has never been easier.
If you use any of these power tools, you owe it to yourself to add one of these to your kit; after using it once or twice you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it. This is the must-have shop accessory of the year!