Lee Valley is advertising a 2-piece digital setup gauge set, including a height gauge and a magnetic level box (also called an angle gauge) for just under $30. The cheapest I could find similar gauges for was about $20 each, and so buying this set saves you at least $10.
Lee Valley has free shipping on orders over $30, but they strategically priced the set at $29.50. So, in order to take advantage of free shipping, you’ll have to add something else to your cart.
A height gauge is used for tasks like setting the blade height on a table saw, or the bit height on a router table. On this particular model, the display and scale can be removed from the frame and mounted with screws. It is powered by an included CR2032 battery and has an accuracy of ±0.1mm.
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A digital level box is used to measure the angle of a saw blade. Magnets allow the gauge to stick to ferromagnetic surfaces, such as a saw blade or an adjustable cast iron table. With a table saw, it is used by first zeroing the gauge on the saw’s table and then measuring the angle on the blade. It is powered by a single AAA battery and has a accuracy of ±0.2°.
The blade height gauge looks suspiciously like the Wixey gauge ($24 via Amazon), and I suspect it is probably an unlabeled OEM version. As for the digital level box, I cannot find another model that is similar. All of the other brands’ gauges I could find have slightly different button configurations, and the gauge that Lee Valley is selling also has a unique indented area for the buttons.
Price: $30
Lee Valley says that this is a special buy with limited stock, and so the deal can end at any time.
Here are some ideas in case you need to push your order total over $30 for free shipping:
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Jared
I’m right on the fence. Good deal – but is this something I need? 🤔
Rob
The height gauge I don’t have as I tend to just use setup blocks although this would be faster and if I didn’t already have the blocks I would get, especially for setting the height of router bits. The angle gauge I use ALL THE TIME. They are great. Best aspect aside from speed is you can quickly set them on the table, zero the measurement, and then place it in what you are measuring (for me typically a saw blade or knife sharpener rod angle) and you have adjusted for any tilt in your floor or table. Just gave an extra battery or two on hand :-).
John
Issue I have had with all my Wixey digital products is that they drain the battery when not in use. I have to leave open the battery compartment for the height gauge when stored since it’s not used that often. I’ve just stopped buying Wixey products.
fred
I thought that was just me. I have the same issue with the WR200 and WR300 bought 2 years apart (2007 and 2009) so it doesn’t seem to be a new problem. I’ve never had an issue with my electronic measuring devices from Mitutoyo or even inexpensive iGaging instruments that use button cells.
Nathan
for both the price is about right – wish it was a bit more accurate but that’s plenty for wood work.
There are more accurate digital and anaglog angle gages out there – so that’s an option but they cost more. The height gage looks flimsy
If I needed something else from lee valley I’m sure consider it.
fred
More for plumbing/conduit work – but the Klein 935DAGL is nice – when places like HNS are doing a 20% off Klein sale.
fred
Klein also has a more compact version:
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-935DAG-Electronic-Measures/dp/B07ZWW3BW5/
David
I have both and use the height gauge most often – on my router table. I thought I’d use the angle cube more often on my table saw but tend to prefer my engineer’s square for setting to a perfect 90. I do use it on the rare occasions when laying the blade over for a 45 cut. They do go dead when left unused.
Dan
Tempted. The level can be attached to a Alt-azimuth telescope mount to measure altitude if you have a simple manual mount. Nice if you have an app that tells you current location of an object (many do).