What tool/device has improved your accuracy the most?

[Wenyce]

Incra flexible rules and their micro adjustable fence. [smile]

I just grabbed me some of those recently
It shows u real quickly how off your lines were without it, too bad the dollar store have .5mm mechanical pencils, Lol

 

[aosty]

I used to use a digital caliper from Harbor Freight and if you listened carefully, you could hear it munch on batteries.  I swear it was a weekly thing to swap out the batteries, which is why I bought them by half dozen.

I later replaced it with a Mitsutoyo digital caliper and have had the same battery for over 3 years and have left it 'on' with display many times for a couple days.  Granted the cost of a Mitsutoyo caliper vs a HF caliper can buy a lot of batteries.

When John Economaki was picking a caliper to use in the AMPv2 angle finder, he tested a bunch of quality brands.  All the quality brands had the repeatable accuracy needed, but only the Mitsutoyo Absolute had the battery life.  That's why I got it.

Tip:  Be sure to get silver oxide replacement cells (SR44 or 357) and not alkaline (LR44)... they last far longer.
http://www.truetex.com/buttons.htm
https://www.google.com/search?q=sr44+vs+lr44+digital+caliper

P.S.  Solar powered Mitutoyo calipers are sweet.  ;D

 

[grbmds]

Thanks for the information. I have an older digital caliper and I don't think the battery is the one you indicate. Maybe it would be best to replace it with a newer version - the Mitsutoyo - even though more expensive.

 

[Grasshopper]

I have been considering getting the Incra T-Ruler. 

Could this double as a suitable T-Square (and replace say a Woodpeckers T-Square)?

Festool: Guide rails.

Non Festool: Incra T Ruler: http://www.incra.com/product_t-rules.htm

Andrew

 

[semenza]

I have been considering getting the Incra T-Ruler. 

Could this double as a suitable T-Square (and replace say a Woodpeckers T-Square)?

Festool: Guide rails.

Non Festool: Incra T Ruler: http://www.incra.com/product_t-rules.htm

Andrew

  Yes, and no.  I have and use both. I find that sometimes the flexibility and thin edge of the Incra can be a problem when sliding it along. It can catch on small rough spots. And I prefer being able to use a thicker pencil lead especially on coarse grained wood such as oak (.9mm is perfect fit for the Woodpeckers).  But on the other hand the Incra  goes to 64ths. The longer Woodpeckers  are 16ths and the short ones are 32nds. The Incra can be useful when you need to offset the 'T' to get the rule up against an adjoining piece or other obstacle. Overall I prefer the Woodpeckers for most of the work I do, but I have a 3" and 6" Incra that get used on occasion. 

Seth

 

[semenza]

    For me , what has improved my accuracy the most is having measuring tools that are A). accurate and B). "sync up" to each other. In other words the rule I am using has a scale that matches up to the square, etc. So I can actually interchange measuring and layout tools without building in error.

Seth

 

[grbmds]

I have been considering getting the Incra T-Ruler. 

Could this double as a suitable T-Square (and replace say a Woodpeckers T-Square)?

Festool: Guide rails.

Non Festool: Incra T Ruler: http://www.incra.com/product_t-rules.htm

Andrew

If you mean the steel flexible Incra t rulers sold in varying lengths they are great for some things. The holes are meant for .5 mm lead and lead that thin breaks too easily unless you are very cafeful not to press too hard on wood.

 

[Grasshopper]

That makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

 

[grbmds]

I have had a couple different sizes for a long time and do still use them. I use Woodpecker's Pro Story Stick more instead of measuring sinc I've gotten that tool. That is much better when tryjng to fit parts..

 

[Grasshopper]

Good tip. I've considered the story stick.

I have had a couple different sizes for a long time and do still use them. I use Woodpecker's Pro Story Stick more instead of measuring sinc I've gotten that tool. That is much better when tryjng to fit parts..

 

[Zacharytanner]

+1 for story stick

 

[#Tee]

mft3/ts55 easily! no guess work cut with confidence.

 

[cliffp]

Woodpeckers one time tool 600mm square

 

[Brent Taylor]

Wixey's digital angle gauge or the cube for short.

 

[Holzhacker]

On the big side the MFT
On the small daily side oddly enough a very small not so big deal tool, the woodpecker model 640 square.
The small size makes it perfect for accurate lines on small items such as handrails, trims, etc.; small stuff that I would normally just eyeball.

 

[charley1968]

Guide rail. Mechanical pen 0,5mm. Soon come: glasses

 

[shed9]

A decent carpenters square that is user resettable. It's shocking how many brands are out of true straight out the box.

Strangely I'm finding glasses are actually a hindrance to me these days as my eyesight is actually improving with age and I find myself taking them off all the time to make measurements.

 

[charley1968]

Hehe. With age comes far-sightedness...i do agree.