Spindle Moulder Digital Height Depth Gauge

pollys13 · 11 Apr 2016

I was going to get a digital height gauge for setting the height of the spindle moulder cutters and depth. There is a Wixey Height Gauge 100mm/ 4" Digital Metric Inch Fraction Display Magnetic Base. Best price on Ebay £32.33 free delivery item number 231225392805 I've got some small clamps so can clamp on the fence ( fence is Aluminium so magnets won't work ) for accurate depth.
Would 100mm/ 4" be enough, an Igaging version is available, 6 inch travel but more expensive.

heimlaga · 11 Apr 2016

I would say that some 90-95% of the times you set up a full size spindle moulder the height and depth will be under 100mm.

In the end it is your choice wheter you spend a bit of time doing old style setups 5-10% of the times or whether you spend some money and use the height gauge all the time. Time equals money so I think both alternatives are equaklly good or bad.

pollys13 · 11 Apr 2016

I know some folks use scraps to set the height of router and spindle cutters. I thought a digital height/depth gauge would come in handy for very accurate cutting of rebates, using a rebating block on the spindle.

heimlaga · 11 Apr 2016

I have never used nor seen anybody use anything else than a steel rule or tape measure for rough setting and then test cut in a piece of scrap and fine adjust and test cut and so on.

However I suppose there has to be a more efficient way of doing it if you want to minimize setup time in a professional environment where time is valuable. A height gauge makes perfect sence.

Adam9453 · 11 Apr 2016

I use a trend digital depth gauge which I've found superb, makes setting quick and accurate

Doug B · 11 Apr 2016

I also use a Trend digital gauge but struggle with big blocks when all the reducing rings are removed.

A friend uses this from Peter Sefton's for spindle set up :-

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/epages ... /IG_35-641
He is certainly impressed with it & having had a look at one at the Newark show I can see why.