 [Larger view] | Bosch DWM40L Miter Finder Digital Protractor/Angle Finder
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Average user rating:  | |
 My angle finder is precise! | |
| I hadn't been able to perfectly square-up my 12" radial arm saw until I bought the Bosch DWM40L Miter Finder Digital Protractor/Angle Finder. Using a large square, or my other protractor tools, the blade appeared to be at a perfect right angle to the fence, but cuts were ever so slighly off-square. Placing one edge of this tool on the 12" blade and the other on the left side of saw fence, it read 89.7 degrees. Placing it on the blade and the right side of the fence, it read 90.3 degrees -- the perfect complement of the first reading. After a good bit of adjusting on the saw, I was finally able to get a 90.0 reading on both sides. Now, the radial arm saw cuts accurate right angles. I used this tool to "perfectly" set right angles on several tools, and have used it sucessfully in construction projects to precisely match angles.
I agree with another reviewer that said the tool should have a locking mechinism to hold the desired angle. However, since the angle is clearly displayed on the LED readout, it's not difficult to adjust the tool to whatever angle you want if it changes. This tool a huge technological leap forward when compared to mechanical protractors/angle finders; because the electronic LED display shows the angle to a tenth of a degree. If you don't need that level of precision, consider a less expansive angle finder, such as the excellent Starrett 505A-12 ProSite Protractor. | |
 Efficient and NEARLY (not exactly) precise, but... | |
| This product does NOT, I repeat, does not give you an accurate reading--at least not for 90-degrees, anyway. I own the most squared stainless steel square ever built. It is the same square I use to establish set angles on my table saws and other tools. When lining the DWM against it, the DWN falls short. Nothing monumental--we're talking fractions of a degree, nonetheless... take it for what it's worth.
The product appears to be durable and the programmable angle calculations are anon and accurate. But... is this product actually worth the price? Absolutely not. And here's why. The manufacturer lists accessories for this angle finder. One of the most important ones is the extension. That extension should NOT be an accessory; it should be included in the price because 3 out of 5 angles I measure do not have long enough bases to rest the tool on. Hence, the extension. Are you reading this, Bosch? Stop being so cheap! Further, the case is extra as well. I mean, come on! Nearly every tool that is sold on the market comes with its own case. What makes this product any different? Oh, I know... capitalism. Yes, it's certainly well constructed and definitely not meant to be banged around. So why not include the carrying case with it? Make the extension and the carrying case part of the package, then, YES... the price would be worth it. One more con. I cannot believe the engineers of the DWM opted not to place an angle lock on this device. I really can't. If you're using this product to measure, let's say, several measurements containing the same angle, God forbid you accidentally bang it, or bang the tool into the wood, etc. You'll instantly lose the angle. It's not as feeble as you may assume upon reading this; nonetheless, it will indeed move with the slightest nudge. Hope this helps.... | |
| Worth learning how to use it | |
| I bought this over a year ago to help with a house I'm building. I started doing the kitchen and couldn't remember the directions so I did part of the kitchen, a inside and outside corner without it. I was all trial and error and I wasted alot of wood.
I decided to sit down and learn how to use this tool and it was worth it.I finished the rest of a large kitchen with a few crazy angles in one day and it came out great. I just wished I learned how to use it properly sooner. |
