Calipers & Setup Tools

A digital caliper measures outside dimensions, inside dimensions, depth, and step measurements with high accuracy, typically to within 0.001 inch. In woodworking, calipers are used to verify stock thickness, check tenon and mortise fits, measure router bit diameter, set dado width, and confirm the dimensions of machined parts before assembly.

A digital angle gauge uses an internal gravity sensor to measure the angle of any surface it is placed on relative to horizontal. To set a table saw blade to 45 degrees, zero the gauge on the saw table, then place it on the blade face and tilt the blade until the display reads the target angle. This method is faster and more accurate than a protractor or try square.

Brass setup bars are precision-ground reference blocks of known thickness used to set tool heights, dado widths, and bit depths. Because they are a physical gauge rather than a number to dial in, they give you a direct go/no-go check—the tool height exactly matches the bar—which eliminates the cumulative error that can occur when interpreting digital readouts.

Digital calipers in the iGaging range are accurate to within a few thousandths of an inch, which is more than sufficient for woodworking applications. Even tight-tolerance work like fitting hand-cut dovetails or setting a router bit to a specific depth benefits from digital caliper accuracy over tape measures or visual estimation.

The Microjig Fitfinder is a specialty gauge designed to measure the exact kerf width of a saw blade or the diameter of a router bit by using a series of calibrated plastic fins. It gives you a fast, repeatable way to match your cut width to a specific dimension without multiple test cuts and measurements.

Yes. A digital angle gauge is very useful for verifying that jointer outfeed and infeed tables are coplanar, that planer rollers are parallel to the cutter head, and that fence angles are accurate on any stationary machine. Zero the gauge on a known reference surface, then check the target surface for deviation.

Keep calipers and gauges in their protective cases when not in use to prevent dust and chip damage. Zero digital calipers before each use and replace batteries promptly when low-battery warnings appear. Wipe measuring surfaces with a clean, dry cloth and avoid dropping instruments, which can affect calibration.

A long aluminum straightedge is used to verify the flatness of machine tables, check panel faces for bow or twist, align fences, and guide a router or circular saw for long, straight cuts. Its length makes it suitable for checking the full span of a table saw or jointer table in a single placement.

They serve different purposes. A caliper measures linear dimensions like thickness, depth, and diameter, while an angle gauge measures angular deviation. For a complete machine setup toolkit, both are valuable and cover different aspects of verification. The 3-piece machine digital setup package bundles key tools for an efficient setup workflow.

Visit the Infinity Tools blog for articles on machine calibration, setup techniques, and tool maintenance that help you get consistent, accurate results from every machine in your shop.