jab73180 Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I am looking for a good sliding bevel gauge. I hate the most common one with the big thin nut to tighten it. It is hard to tighten it cuz the nut is so thin. I was thinking i wanted one with the nut at the end of the handle like the shinwa model. I searched a lil bit and found some with a thumb lever instead of a nut and thouggt that would be good. So i guess my questions are what does everyone else have? How do you like it? Hows the build quality? Thanx in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboMonk Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I have many antique sliding bevel gauges, but I USE a Shinwa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joraft Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I am looking for a good sliding bevel gauge. I hate the most common one with the big thin nut to tighten it. It is hard to tighten it cuz the nut is so thin. I was thinking i wanted one with the nut at the end of the handle like the shinwa model. I searched a lil bit and found some with a thumb lever instead of a nut and thouggt that would be good. So i guess my questions are what does everyone else have? How do you like it? Hows the build quality? Thanx in advance. I have this 7" made by Chris Vesper in Australia. Very little twisting effort needed to lock it. The over all quality is top notch. I highly recommend it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Also what size do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I have several old antique stanley's with the lever. I really like these and you can get them for a very good price from flea markets or antique stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theapprenticeshand Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I use an antique stanley with the thumb lever. As nice as the vesper gauges are >$200 for a bevel is just too much coin for a tool like that. At $75 I would be tempted, at $125 I could maybe justify it. Outside of that, it's just not worth it. I could buy a dozen stanley thumb lever gauges that lock reasonably well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joraft Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I use an antique stanley with the thumb lever. As nice as the vesper gauges are >$200 for a bevel is just too much coin for a tool like that. At $75 I would be tempted, at $125 I could maybe justify it. Outside of that, it's just not worth it. I could buy a dozen stanley thumb lever gauges that lock reasonably well. Of course, value is always in the eye of the beholder (or purchaser). The Vesper was worth it to me. I wasn't looking for a dozen bevel gauges, just one that was exceptionally well made. It makes me smile every time I use it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransikaner Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Of course, value is always in the eye of the beholder (or purchaser). The Vesper was worth it to me. I wasn't looking for a dozen bevel gauges, just one that was exceptionally well made. It makes me smile every time I use it. Thanks for sharing. This gauge solves all the ergo shortfalls of my existing lever and butterfly screw bevels. Of course I need to begin saving pennies......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I've been very happy with the lever locking Veritas. I have several of each size. I think they're a good, perfectly usable, middle ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransikaner Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I also have a Veritas lever and very much agree, Barry. But you can't not love purpose-built tools at the top of their craft. You can drive to work in a Ford Focus, but don't you think you'll feel better about the journey in a Maserati? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I also have a Veritas lever and very much agree, Barry. But you can't not love purpose-built tools at the top of their craft. You can drive to work in a Ford Focus, but don't you think you'll feel better about the journey in a Maserati? True, but I think I'd like something different as a dependable daily driver. Something roomy but sporty, maybe with the initials AMG or M on the back, would work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I also have a Veritas lever and very much agree, Barry. But you can't not love purpose-built tools at the top of their craft. You can drive to work in a Ford Focus, but don't you think you'll feel better about the journey in a Maserati? Hmm, reminds me of the Top Gear super car challenge they did a few series ago. You'd feel better in the Maserati but would you finish the journey Of course this comes from a guy who drives a 20 year old Jag XJS every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikepdarr Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I have an old Stanley that I picked up on a vacation in Yellowstone. Some small town right outside the park had a row of antique shops. Picked it up for $15 or so. I felt like I stole it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Of course this comes from a guy who drives a 20 year old Jag XJS every day. VERY NICE! I do understand British reliability... There's a sticker in my shop that proclaims "All parts falling off this car are of the finest British workmanship!" That's why I thought it was cool when Lotus started using Toyota drivetrains. A British car that starts... EVERY day! There's a guy in my local area with a white XJS in nice shape, and he uses it as a semi-daily driver. I had an opportunity to take a 45 minute test drive in an XKR S, through the northwest hills of Connecticut last summer, via Jag's sponsor tent at the Lime Rock Park ALMS race. Worth every penny of the $148,000 USD window sticker... Of course, I'd have to sleep in it if I came home with it, but I'd be comfortable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshuaderck Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Look for Eureka Style Eureka Bevel made by Stanley of Craftsman they are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Not to hijack too much but my white '94 has started every day but one (battery killed by cold). Drove it from KC to Denver last summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nateswoodworks Posted May 18, 2012 Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 I have a old Stanley Eureka (the handle that locks at the bottom of the handle) and it is night and day above any of the thumb lever or wingnut gauge I have tried, I am not saying there aren't thumb lever ones out there but just not that I have tried. I bought mine from Walt for $12 and couldn't be happier. I am going to make a new brass blade and thumb screw plate for mine to give it a personal touch. My suggestion is if you like the older tools look for a Eureka if you want new go for a Shinwa. Just my thoughts, there are many prople here that have different styles and love them which is great, this s just my opinion. Joraft, that does look awesome! Am I remembering correctly that there is a positive stop that allows you to use it as a very accurate square too? If so is that a fuction you use a lot or do you still grab for a square, just wondering. I remember Schwarz talking about how impressed he was by his. I am glad that you are so pleased with yours but I do see why some are put off with the pricetag. The main thing is that we are happy with our tools and build with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted May 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 I ordered the shinwa, should be here the first of next week. I will post how i like it after i use it. I am going to keep an eye out for some antique stanleys though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I ordered the shinwa, should be here the first of next week. I hadn't heard of those. Upon review, they look like a fantastic value! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jab73180 Posted October 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 An update on the shinwa. I like it so far. The lockup is tight and it doesnt move. In some places the lockup on the end is hard to turn like when it is up against a wall. I did get a beautiful antique stanley 10" bevel gauge with a lever nut on the side. That works better in the situations i explained above. The only problem is the stanley is just to pretty to use. -Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted October 24, 2012 Report Share Posted October 24, 2012 I have the shinwa, as Jason mentioned it locks tight and doesn't move. It's also nice and cheap . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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