Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | May 19, 2007 02:45am | #1

   I installed the Wixey planer gauge on my Delta 12.5" planer a few weeks ago, and I cannot tell you how much better life is now.  It is reasonably easy to install and calibrate.  I'm sure you've read about the features at their web site, so I won't rehash those. 

   I use my calipers to check the beginning thickness of stock about to be planed, set the Delta for the first pass, and off we go.  It's helpful if your planer is high enough you don't have to bend over too much to see it -- there's no back-light on the display, so the reading isn't going to jump out at you from any angle.

   They provide sticky-back foam for attachment, and screw holes if you'd rather mount it that way.  If the top of the gauge is going to stick up above the body of the planer, I recommend screwing it on for attachment, because it's easy to bump the top of the gauge when you're swinging wood around.  I have only the foam at the moment, and have bumped the gauge, but so far it has stayed calibrated with no problem.

   If you have any specific questions, fire away, I'll try to answer based on the two runs of planing I've done with it.  Clicking here will show you how I mounted it to the Delta, but of course your combination machine will be different.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

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   Edited 5/18/2007 7:46 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   aranman | May 19, 2007 10:08pm | #4

   Thanks for the info, the link to pics was also appreciated. Now I think I will go ahead and purchase, Wixey are available via an online shop in the Uk (I'm in Ireland) but we are heading over to the States later this summer so I might just wait and see if there are any better deals available, we're not talking alot of money but I do love to get a good deal! I always return with at least one suitcase full of new tools and other goodies. Best wishes, Jim

2. 
   forestgirl | May 19, 2007 02:50am | #2

   PS:  Accuracy.  The first time I planed something using the Wixey was some molding-sized "sticks" for my step-son, who was finishing up a pocket door.  I was matching measurements, but had nothing to do a side-by-side comparison with.  I was able to get with 1/64" of what he wanted, and if we'd been using the same measuring device, I'll guess I could have matched it perfectly.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   Rooms | May 19, 2007 08:37pm | #3

   It's a great device on my Delta planner. I've had mine for 2+ years. The only issue is that it does NOT shut off automatically if it is not used for a period of time. Sometimes I do forget to shut it off. Because of this, I've gone through a number of batteries at about a buck apiece.

1. 
   aranman | May 19, 2007 10:12pm | #5

   The battery tip is a good one, rechargable batteries are probably the answer. I know I won't remember to shut the thing off, but then again maybe a habit can be formed. Thanks for taking the time to share your views. Jim

1. 
   forestgirl | May 19, 2007 10:31pm | #7

   See my not to Rooms above re: shut-off.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Womble | May 24, 2007 09:48pm | #8

   From the wixey website:

   How Long does the battery last if I turn off the readout? How long does the battery last?

   The battery life should be 6 months with the unit turned on or off. Because the readout always maintains the calibration even when it is turned off, it is actually reading all the time. Turning it off only turns off the display which takes almost no power to run. Removing the battery is the only way to conserve it's life but then you have to recalibrate every time.

2. 
   forestgirl | May 19, 2007 10:30pm | #6

   Rooms, I'm pretty sure the current model does shut off automatically.  At least I'm pretty sure I've left it on and come back to find it off a long while later.  I'll do a "conscious test" this afternoon.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   PeterDurand | May 25, 2007 07:24am | #9

   The instructions that came with mine said that it really does not shut off..it has to remember the settings. Turning it off it seems just shuts off the lcd which they say has minimal drain on the battery.I am only the messenger here.Also what Forestgirl said..you have to read it straight on. So if your tool is a bit low, you will have to bend over to see the reading. Cheers,Peterooops, I should have read all the posts before putting in my $0.02

   Edited 5/25/2007 12:26 am by PeterDurand

1. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2007 07:23pm | #10

   That earlier post, quoting the Wixey web site, said about 6 months for the battery life.  That's fine with me!  They include an extra battery or two (can't remember) with the gauge, and 6 months is more than I get with my digital calipers.  Batteries aren't all that expensive, the biggest inconvenience is calibrating the gauge, but that's not really difficult.

   If they put a backlight on the gauge, I guess the battery life would decrease dramatically, no?  I have to bend over some to see the display, but nothing like the contortions involved in getting a decent reading off the stock Delta gauge.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2007 07:28pm | #11

   One thing to add:  While the instructions say to get the base of the gauge at or slightly above the level of the table, I'd recommend getting it as close to that level as possible.  Calibration is done by planing a piece of stock, then laying it across the table with a non-sniped area between the gauge base and the spring-loaded metal piece.  If the gauge base is above the level of the table, you have to get the wood level somehow to get a correct calibration, and to be able to use the gauge as a thickness gauge (easier to use calipers anyway?).

   My gauge base ended up above the base of the table, so I measured the wood's thickness with calipers, placed the wood in calibration position and adjusted it to get the same reading as the calipers, then pushed the calibration button.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   PeterDurand | May 25, 2007 07:34pm | #12

   I also ended up with the thing slightly higher. Thanks for the tip on how to "zero" it. 

1. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2007 08:10pm | #13

   Glad to help, Peter.  While I realize that getting all the stock the same thickness is often more important than exactly what thickness it is, I wanted to get the gauge as close as possible.  My mom was a bookeeper, some of that compulsiveness came though the DNA.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)