Using Your Smartphone as a Digital Angle Gauge
George VondriskaSetting angles on your tools can be a little tricky, and getting the angles just right is very important. If you’re doing something like stave construction, or any multi-sided item, being off just a few degrees on the set up can lead to disastrous results. But if you own a smart phone, the answer for accurately setting angles is at your fingertips.
Start with an App
Your phone on its own won’t be much help. You need to add an app that’s designed for reading angles. The app we’re using on an iPhone in this video is called Rotating Sphere Clinometer. If that specific app isn’t available for your device, there are lots of other angle reading apps out there. Get one for your phone.
Build a Jig
We need a very simple jig. The jig acts as a fixture that will hold your phone, and it also needs to have rare earth magnets on it that will secure the jig to your saw table and saw blade. Each jig will be a little different, depending on your phone, but some tips for making the jig are provided in the video.
Using Your Gauge
Once you’ve got the app and have built the jig, using your setup is easy. Zero the angle gauge to your table, then place the jig on your saw blade (with the saw unplugged) to determine the angle of the blade. Easy peezy.
Your Phone in Your Shop
There are a handful of helpful ways you can use your phone in the shop. Woodworking apps for your iPhone can definitely make your woodworking life easier.
We Love Giving you Tips
Even the most simple shop tips can make the difference in making your shop time more pleasant. Check out more helpful shop tips to see where else out tips can make your life easier.
can you provide the company that made this app. I looked for it and couldn’t find it. Tried US and Canada stores. If you provide the company, I can see if I can get it independently.
Just googled this term and it seems the company is Calmatics and the app is for android (on google play).
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for sharing the app information with everyone! You rock!
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for sharing the app information with everyone! You rock!
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Since Apple is only 44% of the smartphones in the US, why do you only give info for iphones? For the rest of us who are android users, go to the Google Play store and look for “Rotating Spherical Inclïnometer”.
Hi Stephen,
Here is what the experts had to say:
Sorry about that. Apps come and go with such frequency that your best bet is to search for an angle gauge, find one with a good rating that is available for free or low cost and give it a try.
Best of luck,
Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
The “Rotating Sphere Clinometer” app for the iPhone is not available in the US. At least, that’s the message I get from the App Store when I search for it.
Hi Phillip,
Here is what the experts had to say:
Sorry about that. Apps come and go with such frequency that your best bet is to search for an angle gauge, find one with a good rating that is available for free or low cost and give it a try.
Best of luck,
Paul
Woodworkers Guild of America
OK, I found one I would recommend for the I-Phone that I have. In the Apple App store it it called “Clinometer + bubble level” by Seasor Utilities. It costs $1.95 and is not free. No big deal. The indicator would tell me that it is very accurate–I wonder if its repeatability and absolute accuracy are as precise as the display would indicate, but nonetheless it has the angles indicated to the degree of precision that George has said is good to have, 1/10 of 1 degree plus other stuff. I like the display but have not used it yet. Clay
Hi James,
Sounds like you got it under control. Here is what the experts had to say:
Sorry about that. Apps come and go with such frequency that your best bet is to search for an angle gauge, find one with a good rating that is available for free or low cost and give it a try.
Best of luck,
Paul
The app is not available in the United States, George! :) How about recommending one that is available on the Apple Ap Store and one for other non-apple phones?
Hi James,
Sounds like you got it under control. Here is what the experts had to say:
Sorry about that. Apps come and go with such frequency that your best bet is to search for an angle gauge, find one with a good rating that is available for free or low cost and give it a try.
Best of luck,
Paul
I was a gold member here a few years back. I had some medical issues and had to step back. My issues are now in remission and now, I”M BACK. Just downloaded this app, love it, just this one tip was worth the fee.
Any chance George can try this on a mitre saw so a video can be viewed?
Thanks
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That’s a great question and we’d love to help!
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Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
How do i see a link for this particular app? I am using an ipad to view it and can now select any the options on the right of the video.
Hi Aaron. Here is the link to the article. https://www.wwgoa.com/video/smartphone-digital-angle-gauge-016821/. If you have any questions, please give our customer service team a call at 1-855-253-0822.
Thanks
Jean-Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
When are you going to start using captioning/subtitles on EVERYTHING? I saw a video here not too long ago that had the subtitles and was perfect, and then poof! I’m not the only woodworking deaf/hoh person that misses information.
Hi MJ. I appreciate your feedback and it has been forwarded to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community.
Thanks
Jean-Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
I will Agree to the CAPTIONS as i am Partly def . This would be great and maybe would not have to try and listen 10 time just to gedt everything down.
THIS APP does not work on my Samsung galaxy 6. all i get is a frozen clinometer that is scale adjustable but does absolutely nothing else, I did find other apps that work, but they don’t give me the double-axis leveling action this one does. Just saying…waiting for a response from the app producer. Great idea though, I had no idea I could do this…could have used this type of app 100 times in the last 3 months.
How does this compare to the Wixey digital angle indicator?
Dear John,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
I haven’t tried a direct comparison, but a Wixey gauge is likely to be more accurate.
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Woodworkers Guild of America