Angle finder.

Depends what you want to do ? Replicate the angle or measure the angle

I have a nobex angle finder, sliding bevels, protractors, digital ones which measure tilt for table saws, jigs for measuring angles for mitre saws and coving cutters

 

I have a sliding protractor, was useful when cutting PIR insulation to 30 degrees.

 

Sliding Bevel and a Protractor gets me most angles i have needed for years. As for roofing i use a Swanson speed square. These days their are digital angle finders and other things you can use, but the two things ive mentioned above has never failed me once.

Bertie

 

Speed squares and combination square are what I use for most 90 degree work.

 

The digital angle finders do make it easier and quicker especially with older eyes. You can spend from £20 to £100's.

 

I've had a look at the digital angle finders, seems there are a few different ones by Trend, one with a bubble on would be useful for determining the pitch of roof or stairs for instance. About £37 each.

 

Use sliding bevel and speed square most of time. Sometimes just using the square to set the bevel at 90 degress so i can set the depth on bevel.

Can get angles from speed square, just need to used the 'pivot point' to match angle.

 

Speed square, sliding bevel,combination square & a Stanly adjustable speed square,easier than a protractor to use.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-adjustable-quick-square-6-/1655F?kpid=1655F

 

You can manage without them and I generally do but if you are having to find or set different angles a lot especially where there are no right angles they are handy.

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-digital-angle-rule/1192K?kpid=1192K&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product Listing Ads-_-Sales Tracking-_-sales tracking url&gclid=Cj0KEQiAw_DEBRChnYiQ_562gsEBEiQA4Lcssr3tnCDo6VxbISwv-xL6bblVvoon-Zudk3ASF3RREw4aAvRD8P8HAQ
£20, takes up no room.

 

I don't have one but a couple of people I know do and I've never heard them complain and I have borrowed one now and again and it works.

 

I have a tread angle finder which half's the angle for you.

 

I've got one of those some where, never use it.
All these tools depend on what you are doing regularly as to what you want to spend to save you time and effort which as a pro both have a monitory value and also the logistics of carrying the tool..

 

I would like to get a set of "woodpeckers" squares, rules etc. but just can't justify it to myself

 

I had a quick look at the site and it just seems like very expensive, useless, gizmos's.

 

There is a lot of stuff on their site but their own manufactured tools - in a red paint/dye are theirs
The larger squares, t-squares etc are very good quality and are engineered to last and never go out of true. One of the presenters at an Axminster tool demo had some to check the alignment of fences etc.

The 12 inch speed square is something like $100 plus shipping, so £100 for a square is too rich for me