TESTED: iGaging Ez-Read digital gauge

Above: The iGaging digital readout is designed for setting up cut height and fence settings on the tablesaw and router table.

Review and photos: Damion Fauser

This latest offering from reputable California-based measuring tool company iGaging is designed to simplify setting up cut height and fence settings on primarily the router table and tablesaw, but having now played around with it in the workshop for a few weeks now, I can see utility for this device on other machines as well as for other measuring situations.

The tool has a free-standing anodised aluminium body that straddles the cutter being measured. A stainless steel beam slides through the main body of the tool, creating a lineal differential between the bottom, reference surface of the body and the bottom of the beam.

The display is large and easy to read, with a choice between units being displayed of metric (to 0.01mm fidelity), imperial (to 0.001" fidelity) or imperial fractions (to 1/64" fidelity). Stated accuracy is to 0.0015" (0.038mm) which will suit the needs of even the fussiest of users, and the range of measurement is to 50.8mm (2"). Zeroing the gauge is easy and fast – stand the tool on a flat surface, bottom out the beam and hit the zero button.

A free-standing anodised aluminium body sits over the cutter, while a beam slides through to create a reference surface to measure.

There is a locking knob on the side of the body to lock the beam in position. I really like this feature as it lets you preset a desired reading and then simply raise the cutter up until contact is made.

There is a 2" long narrow extension rod for measuring the depth of holes, which is a nice inclusion. I often see students struggling to obtain accurate measurements when using the narrow end of a traditional caliper as they fail to register the end of the tool flat on the datum surface, creating a diagonal. The nature of the body of this tool negates that potential source of error.

Also included are two separate anvils (1/4" and 1/2") that thread onto the end of the main beam. This allows users to accurately measure from the fence of the router table to the centre of either 1/4" or 1/2" cutters, which is important for various joinery cuts.

The digital readout is powered by a common 3V CR2032 button battery, which is included in the package. The 5-minute auto shut-off feature will ensure this battery lasts for a long time.

Currently priced at $65, I consider this tool to be good value considering the build quality and what it offers. Is it absolutely necessary? Perhaps not, but it will likely save dedicated woodworkers vastly in terms of reducing time and materials used in setting up and measuring test cuts.

Review tool supplied by Timbecon, www.timbecon.com.au