|
a must have for anyone installing trim or crown moldings. must buy. no gaps or funny looking corners.
Maybe that's why some people report the tool be "off" as much as 1 degree - the label wasn't placed on the tool properly.For this price, I would expect a grid scale notched into the aluminum housing or at minimum a higher quality scale. The Starrett tool will correctly calculate the angle and indicate the correct miter saw angle. The fact is, 95% of all outside or inside corners in our homes are not 90 degrees (or whatever angle they're supposed to be). They can't understand why their $300.00 plus miter saw is making such poor cuts. Non the less, it is a very useful tool if you do basic trim work. The tool extremely durable, made of what appears to be cast Aluminum.
Also sloppy sheet rock installation takes perfectly framed corners out of spec. In reality, they're more like 87, 88, 89, 91, and so on, degrees. I'll rate that tool separately. All in all, despite some issues with scale label quality, I recommend this tool for anyone doing basic molding jobs. For Crown molding I use the Bosch DWM40LK Miter Finder Digital Protractor/Angle Kit which calculates the correct miter saw angle and bevel based upon the corner angle (and Crown Spring) allowing me to lay the crown mounding flat in the miter saw for the cut. Many homeowners I know who attempt basic trim work become very disappointed when their inside or outside miter joints are "open" requiring wood filler or caulking to make the joint acceptable. They may have been close to the desired angle when the house was built, however over time, as the house framing drys out and shrinks, and/or settles on its foundation, the corner angles within the home change.
For example is the outside corner is 88 degrees, the miter saw would be set at 44 degrees for a tight joint. After all, most miter saws have a "stop" setting at the 45 degree angle. The scale however, a vital part of the tool appears to be a plastic covered paper sticker that scratches easily and over time will fade. The problem (generally) isn't the home owner or miter saw's fault. A 45 degree cut would leave an open joint requiring wood filler. One additional piece of advice - When you receive the tool, hold it up against a framing square to make sure the tool is correctly indicating a 90 degree angle. Personally I really don't need to have the tool tell me to cut 45 degree angles for a 90 degree corner -- Fortunately I'm still able to divide by two.
I had one of these before but couldn't find it so I bought another. It helps you look like you know what you're doing. It really comes in handy when your doing crown molding. It saves you from going up and down the ladder a hundred times making trial cuts or wasting a piece of material because the walls aren't built at the angles they're supposed to be.
If you are looking for accuracy, look elsewhere. This scale is off by 1-2° which is unacceptable for anything but rough framing perhaps.
Starrett 505A-12 ProSite 12-Inch Dial ProtractorI own a 'pro' design, fab. & welding shop--so, I've got at least 6 other protractors.However, upon seeing a write up by another fabricator, on Welding Web site--showand discuss this item---I bought it.1-It takes the math and headscratching out of figuring mitre joint angles.2-It's tight, not sloppy and big enough to use very easily for angle fitups and measuring during fitup.3-It's a Starrett tool (and I have other pricey, Starett items)---which means quality.4-I'm too poor be able to afford cheap tools.
|
May be eligible for FREE Shipping offer
