Make Quick Measurements With the Best Digital Angle Finder

Finding the Right Digital Angle Finder: A Buyer’s Guide

Here is a complete buying guide that we’ve curated to help you find the right digital angle finder in your budget.

How Does a Digital Angle Finder Work?

Digital angle finders are compact, handheld devices that run on electric power. They’re typically used among woodworkers to accurately measure up existing angles and mark stocks for angled cuts. These angle finders make your job simpler and quicker. They have digital LED displays that give clear and precise readings, while the small size lets you measure those hard-to-reach, tricky spaces.

How to Identify a Premium-Quality Digital Angle Finder

Most digital angle finders only stick to performing the basic functions. We advise looking for angle finders that can go beyond the basics. Consider the following features to identify a premium-quality angle finder from a typical one:

Memory

A good-quality digital angle finder comes with a limited memory capacity that keeps a record of the previous measurements and readings (up to a certain point), allowing you to reuse them in future calculations.

This feature is a life-saver for you if you are cutting out several angled pieces for things like a parquet floor.

Twist dial

The twist dial comes in handy when you’re measuring an angle at one spot and simultaneously working on a piece in another location. You can simply twist the dial to lock the arms of a hinged-arm digital angle finder and lock it in that position.

Inclinometer

An inclinometer will measure the pitch or slope of a surface for you. Some digital angle finders come with built-in inclinometers that can help you determine the slope of a retaining wall or measure the pitch of your roof.

Angle conversion

There is detailed arithmetic involved in setting up two pieces of wood together at an angle other than 90 degrees. Some high-end digital angle finder models have a feature that automatically computes the correct measurements for such complementary angles. This helps to remove any chances of error.

Bubble level

A bubble level is an additional feature on the bottom arm of a digital angle finder that helps to take precise and more accurate measurements.

Dust and water resistance

Another great feature to look for in a digital angle finder is dust and moisture resistance. This is because you will be using your angle finder in the vicinity of a table saw, where there is lots of dust. This swirling dust can be harmful to such devices if it finds its way into the inner workings.

You can avoid clogged buttons, and prolong your digital angle finder’s life a great deal with this feature.

Impact resistance

Look for sturdy materials around your angle finder. It should be able to withstand drops of up to 20 feet a least. This feature is especially necessary for you if you’re working on the roof or you are a construction worker.

Types of Digital Angle Finders

There are two kinds of digital angle finders sold: hinged-arm angle finders and box-shaped angle finders. It’s important to understand how both of these types work, to choose the right one for the job at hand. Both of these types usually use rechargeable batteries. Let’s take a look at how each of them works:

Hinged-arm digital angle finders

This type features two ruled blades that are connected by a hinge at one end, hence the name hinged-arm angle finder. There is a digital reader inside this hinge that is commonly introduced as a digital protractor.

Whether you need to measure existing angles, identify set blade angles, or check the markup stock while cutting, the digital angle finders are perfectly equipped to do that. Make sure to calibrate hinged-arm digital angle finders before use. To use it correctly, you need to lay it against a flat surface and arrange the arms to the appropriate angle. The digital reader inside the hinge measures the angle for you by determining the distance between the blades.

The small LCD or LED screen displays tell you how far apart the blades are by displaying the reading in degrees.

Box-shaped digital angle finder

This type is more common than the hinge-arm angle because of its ease of use and compact size. These angle finders are also called angle gauges and are used mainly to find out the correct angle for a saw blade.

Instead of laying it on its back, this digital angle finder should be used in an upright position.

Once you set the angle finder on a flat surface, like a working desk or a table saw, press the zero-out button to reset or refresh the existing display. When you place this angle finder on a metal surface, such as a blade, it will stick to it with the help of small magnets attached to the underside of the box.

There is a pendulum inside the box that measures the blade’s angle. You can lock the blade in place when the digital readout shows your desired angle. Box-shaped digital finders can find both positive and negative angles for you.

How to Use a Hinged-Arm Digital Angle Finder

Your angle finder determines the angle where two surfaces meet. Here are the steps:

• Inspect the surface for any high spots, obstructions, or debris that may cause problems with the working of your digital angle finder. Both surfaces should be clear, clean, and flat.
• Calibrate your digital angle finder by closing the arms so that the finder measures zero degrees. Press the zero or taro button in the finder to calibrate it.
• If the hinge has a locking mechanism, unlock it and loosen it, so that the arms of your angle finder can freely move.
• Push the hinge in the corner of the angle that you wish to measure. Open and set the arms in a manner so that they lay flat against both surfaces.
• Relock the hinge to keep it in place and prevent the accidental loss of the angle.
• Press the button on your digital angle finder that shows the angle between arms. That is your reading!