Amazingly accurate but inexpensive inclinometer

etpm · May 7, 2022

I decided that for some of the work I will be doing in the near future a digital inclinometer would be a big help. I bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5VYG1M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details . Only 20 bucks from Amazon. It has many features besides showing the angle. It shows slope in inches per foot or mm per meter. The inches per foot shows fractions of an inch per foot which I will not use. I will use the mm per meter if I need the slope and then convert it to decimal inches per foot. But the accuracy is really amazing for such an inexpensive device. In my machine shop I can check angles to a very high degree of accuracy so I decided to check this device. It is advertised being accurate to a tenth of a degree. 1 degree results in a slope of approximately .0175" per inch. So one tenth of a degree would be .0175 in 10 inches. Just slightly more than 1/64". Or 2/3 of 1/32" in a foot. That's pretty good. But the inclinometer I was sent is consistently accurate and repeatable to 1/20 degree. Or about .0009" per inch. Or .0105 inches per foot. I checked mine from 0 to 25 degrees. The surface plate I used to check the thing has 20 millionths of an inch maximum deviation from perfectly flat over the whole surface. The gage blocks I used have a plus 8 millionths and minus 4 millionths of an inch deviation from nominal. The sine bar I used is, alas, only 50 millionths from the nominal 5 inch spacing of the rolls, but is within 20 millionths of being flat. I know, over the top. But these are the tools I have easily available and I was curious. I am still amazed at the accuracy of this inexpensive device.
Eric

jyoutz · May 7, 2022

The butt pucker factor is a pretty good inclinometer.

etpm · May 7, 2022

jyoutz said:
The butt pucker factor is a pretty good inclinometer.

I suppose, when sitting in the seat, it is. My project involves welding new bushings onto the arms of my FEL in order to change the pivot point of the bucket to get more curl. I'm not gonna sit on the ends of the FEL arms and gauge how much my sphincter puckers on each arm to determine if the new bushings are in line before welding. I don't think I have the accuracy or precision in certain muscles. But some folks have a very well calibrated chocolate starfish and may be able to do this. Maybe you are one of these people. You are welcome to come out to my place and try. I'll be interested to watch the process and will even post a video of it if is appropriate. I'll even hold your beer.
Eric

jyoutz · May 7, 2022

etpm said:
I suppose, when sitting in the seat, it is. My project involves welding new bushings onto the arms of my FEL in order to change the pivot point of the bucket to get more curl. I'm not gonna sit on the ends of the FEL arms and gauge how much my sphincter puckers on each arm to determine if the new bushings are in line before welding. I don't think I have the accuracy or precision in certain muscles. But some folks have a very well calibrated chocolate starfish and may be able to do this. Maybe you are one of these people. You are welcome to come out to my place and try. I'll be interested to watch the process and will even post a video of it if is appropriate. I'll even hold your beer.
Eric

You never stated your purpose so it’s not unreasonable to believe that you wanted it for operating on slopes.

cdaigle430 · May 7, 2022

Download free app on you smart phone

npalen · May 7, 2022

I have one and have used it on a number of projects in the machine shop to set up parts for machining in the mill. Its a very handy tool.

Rustyiron · May 7, 2022

Millionths of an inch, and I'm being very careful using the little marks on my tape measure.

CalG · May 7, 2022

cdaigle430 said:
Download free app on you smart phone

I have a Suunto inclinometer I use out in the woods when truing not to hit anything when cutting standing trees.

I have and use "clinometer" app on my pocket phone It has all sorts of bells and whistles. My first phone did have straight sides, so the top and bottom edges were the most reliable. My present phone (Moto G7) has straight sides and a flat back. Works fine.

I did a bit of "reality test" at first. Held the phone in the four jaw chuck on the lathe, and then indexed the spindle in every way but Sunday. I couldn't fault the display value for accuracy or repeatability. 2 place decimal degrees.

Close enough for the girls I go out with.

Smokeydog · May 8, 2022

So many factors influence stability. Over 15 causes concern and watch my loading and implements. 20 slow and small moves. No batteries and always on and onboard. Second one does inclination. Wireless sphincter connection.

Digital one in shop helps with bending and fabrication.