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Looking for a decent protractor

Susquatch

Susquatch

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Sometimes I just want to take a quick angle measurement. I don't want to use an indicator and trigonometry. And I don't want to use a plastic protractor either.

I have a US General Protractor that looks like this, but the flat arm is not in line with the base which makes it difficult to use effectively and the calibration is both off and non adjustable. In other words it is almost junk.

20220626_190747.jpg


What do you use? Any recommendations?
 
Degen said:
Try this.....

KBC,KBC HALF ROUND HEAD PROTRACTOR,1-397-18,KBC Tools & Machinery

KBC,KBC HALF ROUND HEAD PROTRACTOR,1-397-18,KBC Tools & Machinery
www.kbctools.ca www.kbctools.ca
Click to expand...

I had one like that. A mitutoyo no less. It was out a full degree. I never understood how a mitutoyo could be like that but it goes to show even the best name can have poor quality. I liked it other than that but gave it away to a neighbour who wanted it despite its flaws.

Do you have one? Is it accurate?
 
Depends what you want to use if for. Starrett combination square has a protractor. Or do you want a precision bevel protractor? You'll pay for name brand like Mitutoyo, or go for an offshore such as this ,,,


Or something like this ...

 
Chip Maker said:
Depends what you want to use if for. Starrett combination square has a protractor. Or do you want a precision bevel protractor? You'll pay for name brand like Mitutoyo, or go for an offshore such as this ,,,

https://www.amazon.ca/Universal-Protractor-Magnifying-Internal-Measurement/dp/B07R74QBBT/ref=asc_df_B07R74QBBT/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292938355125&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15276462965144270501&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002384&hvtargid=pla-812758479970&psc=1
Or something like this ...

https://www.amazon.ca/General-Tools-Instruments-Square-Protractor/dp/B00004T7TB/ref=asc_df_B00004T7TB/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292963829038&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=187555708168711896&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002384&hvtargid=pla-613485899672&psc=1
Click to expand...

I have both of those, but if I want accuracy, I use this: (sorry for the fuzzy phone)

IMG_20220626_215051.jpg
 
This is what I use.

canadianhobbymetalworkers.com

Mitutoyo combination square

I don't know if this is the right place for this thread since people mostly seem to post awesome big machine finds here. This is more of a beginners small tool find that will probably bore most of you more advanced folks. It's a Mitutoyo #180-905 4 piece combination square in apparent pristine...
canadianhobbymetalworkers.com canadianhobbymetalworkers.com
 
Canadium said:
This is what I use.

canadianhobbymetalworkers.com

Mitutoyo combination square

I don't know if this is the right place for this thread since people mostly seem to post awesome big machine finds here. This is more of a beginners small tool find that will probably bore most of you more advanced folks. It's a Mitutoyo #180-905 4 piece combination square in apparent pristine...
canadianhobbymetalworkers.com canadianhobbymetalworkers.com
Click to expand...
I have a similar set (not Mitutoyo though), which protractors I use depend on the application include the one @Susquatch initially posted. Believe it or not this is more designed for drill bit measurement and used as such will do very well (provided it was manufactured correctly and depends on the luck of the draw).

All joking aside it comes down to the user and their mastery of the tools they use.
 
These are what I have. I use Starrett Uni-Bevel protractor (in the wooden box) 90% of the time. The chrome protractor is handy, but also useless. The combination set very handy, mostly for wood working. The Fowler Digital level for measuring camber on my track car. The plastic true angles for drawings.
 

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Degen said:
I have a similar set (not Mitutoyo though), which protractors I use depend on the application include the one @Susquatch initially posted. Believe it or not this is more designed for drill bit measurement and used as such will do very well (provided it was manufactured correctly and depends on the luck of the draw).

All joking aside it comes down to the user and their mastery of the tools they use.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that the one the @Susquatch
shows is for drill bits, but this one is (which I've almost never use!)
 

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Dabbler said:
I have both of those, but if I want accuracy, I use this: (sorry for the fuzzy phone)

View attachment 24664
Click to expand...
This is EXACTLY what I am after. Something big enough to lay against a big part and strong enough to handle my farm equipment related work!

In the meantime, I think I will also get one like @Degen & @Chip Maker recommended too. I like the round head version: hopefully it won't suffer from the quality problems these things seem to have.

General Tools & Instruments 18 Round Head Protractor https://a.co/d/jjs0DnU
 
Degen said:
His favourite phrase was Try This so the field adjustors got him a special number as a direct line.

;)
Click to expand...

I'm going to call him and tell him I was just trying word letter combinations to see what answered......... ;)
 
thestelster said:
These are what I have. I use Starrett Uni-Bevel protractor (in the wooden box) 90% of the time. The chrome protractor is handy, but also useless. The combination set very handy, mostly for wood working. The Fowler Digital level for measuring camber on my track car. The plastic true angles for drawings.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised that your favorite is the bevel protractor. I'll have to google how the "BEVEL" function works.

Which one is the "Chrome" one?

You have a track car?
 
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