Woodpecker's sliding bevel gauge : one time tool

[John A. Callaway]

They have this offered right now as a one time tool run tool. It lists for about seventy dollars. My question is how often do you find your self reaching for this tool , and is it worth the money. I have several of their other measuring tools, and I don't question the quality of their products, more so the worth of the actual tool itself. I have yet to find a need for one in my work thus far, and I am thinking that missing this tool would be a good deal that slipped by. The tool looks nice and i have been pleased with other items from them, and odds are it may not get made again for a few years, if at all.... But , then again, I don't look for one in my shop so much since I have dovetail markers and combination squares.

Do you use a sliding bevel gauge for a lot of things, besides dovetails? Do you wish you had a better gauge or does it really matter ?

[Tony Shea]

I personally don't use a bevel gauge often enough to spend $70 on one. But this is due to the fact I have been able to pick up a couple vintage Stanley No. 18 sliding bevels that have been a joy to use when needed. The locking mechanism is always out of the way which is my biggest complaint on 90% of the bevel gauges out there. And they seem to lock up very tight so as not to lose their setting.

[Jim Koepke]

I have not used a bevel gauge for dovetails in years.

I do use them when making saw horses, saw benches and any thing with splayed legs or other angled joinery.

I even made a small one specifically as a guide for saw filing. It has a slot on it so it will sit on the saw that is being filed.

A handy tool, but I wouldn't spend $70. Too many good ones available for much less.

jtk

[Maurice Ungaro]

I believe the LV version is much more affordable, every bit well made, and more useable.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=52403&cat=1,42936,50298,52403

[Bob Strawn]

Woodpeckers Full Bevel Set looks pretty interesting. (http://www.woodpeck.com/bevelgauge.html) I have the Veritas Bevel Setter (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=52403&cat=1,42936,50298,52403) and a Shinwa Sliding Bevel, (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32594&cat=1,42936,50298,43508) and am rather satisfied with the results and range, quality and price. But for arguments sake, Lee Valley has three of the six or so best gauges. (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=43508&cat=1,42936,50298&ap=1) The best is probably here, but you have to ask to find the price. (http://www.supertool.com/newtools.htm) The top end Aussie gage is also rather appealing if expensive. (https://www.vespertools.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=16&Itemid=34)

Truthfully, I bought the Shinwa because I wanted to take it apart and make my own. Now that I have it, I am not taking it apart and making another any time soon. I am quite well satisfied with the Japanese Bevel Gauge. Eventually I will probably make one, but this tool has no real flaws.

Bob

[Bill Houghton]

I'm not quite getting Woodpeckers' one time tools. They're very pretty and all, but, as in this case, they're often twice or more the cost of existing tools from reputable suppliers. They must be finding a customer base, I guess, or they wouldn't keep making them; but it must be a customer base that doesn't do much research or really likes red anodizing.

[Jerome Hanby]

I'm not quite getting Woodpeckers' one time tools. They're very pretty and all, but, as in this case, they're often twice or more the cost of existing tools from reputable suppliers. They must be finding a customer base, I guess, or they wouldn't keep making them; but it must be a customer base that doesn't do much research or really likes red anodizing.

I really really like red anodizing <g>. True the stuff is very high quality. But this is one limited run I'll pass without a second thought. I already have a bevel gauge and it doesn't get used enough (plus it works just fine for it's intended purpose) to even consider an upgrade. Sure is pretty though...

But on the other hand, that locking mechanism is pretty sweet...

[steven c newman]

Mine are just two from Swanson. They worked well when I was in the Construction trade, and have worked well when i needed them on other projects. When i can't find the "black" one, the "red" one is always handy. Price was right for MY budget.

[Jack Curtis]

...I have the Veritas Bevel Setter (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=52403&cat=1,42936,50298,52403) and a Shinwa Sliding Bevel, (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32594&cat=1,42936,50298,43508) and am rather satisfied with the results and range, quality and price. But for arguments sake, Lee Valley has three of the six or so best gauges. (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=43508&cat=1,42936,50298&ap=1) The best is probably here, but you have to ask to find the price. (http://www.supertool.com/newtools.htm) The top end Aussie gage is also rather appealing if expensive. (https://www.vespertools.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=16&Itemid=34)

Truthfully, I bought the Shinwa because I wanted to take it apart and make my own. Now that I have it, I am not taking it apart and making another any time soon. I am quite well satisfied with the Japanese Bevel Gauge. Eventually I will probably make one, but this tool has no real flaws.

I came across a new Shinwa for cheap, so I bought it and like it a lot. The tightening screw is a little inconvenient; but it also has a cutout for placing over a blade, making it also useable as a straight edge for Japanese plane sole conditioning. Very handy device. Of course, I love those Veritas sliding bevel gauges, too, but hard to beat that $12 Shinwa.

[Bill Miltner]

Maurice, the OP was referring to the Bevel Gauge not the angle reference plate from Woodpeckers.

Because I make pieces with a lot of odd angles I have the Veritas Bevel Setter already, but if I didn't, I'd be purchasing the Woodpeckers model. They are about the same price ($36-40) but the Woodpeckers model is 16" long versus 7" for the Veritas and I'd think that would make it easier to read and use, IMO.

[John A. Callaway]

thanks guys. I kinda figured that it was just a little more hype with this one tool over flat out function. I woulda liked to have gotten a hold of a few of the other smaller one time tools... but again, they are things that other makers produce.... just not in red!

Guess it will be a marking knife and awl from either chester or blue spruce.... dunno yet....

It seems a little odd to me that since wood peckers is making the Pinnacle measuring tools for woodcraft, that they would take some of these one time tools and market them in the wood craft catalog. Say maybe for a year at the time... Or produce a solid bulk number and be done and let the warehouse ship them out as orders dictate... Heck, I got my 1281 square from the sears website using a sears gift card after christmas...surely these one time tools could be made a little more than once.

[Bob Strawn]

Some of their one time tools are fairly unique and useful. The larger bevel setter may be a very nice tool. 16" long not only allows for more settings, but for more than twice the accuracy if it is made right.

Bob