How to read a bevel protractor?
How to read a bevel protractor?
A bevel protractor is a tool used to measure the angle of objects. It can typically be seen used in conjunction with other tools such as jigs when someone is producing engineering or machine drawings.
Bevel protractors are different from regular protractors in that the tool is adjusted to fit the angle. To measure using a bevel protractor you place the base on the bottom side of the angel and move the blade to match the angles opposite side.
Guide to Reading a Bevel Protractor
In this bevel protractor guide, we talk you through how you read a bevel protractor to get accurate measurements of your angles.
Step 1 - Count Number of Full Degrees
Count the number of full degrees between the 0-degree mark on the degrees scale and the 0-minute mark on the vernier scale. This forms the first part of the angle.
Step 2 - Count Number of Minutes
Count the number of minutes on the vernier scale from the 0-minute mark until you reach a minute mark which matches up exactly to a degree mark on the degree scale. This forms the second part of the angle. This will give you the angle, which will read in the form of “x degrees, x minutes”.
It is important that the vernier scale is read in the same direction that the primary scale is being read. The correct direction will depend on which way the angle you are measuring faces.
What are Digital Bevel Protractors?
Just with a range of other tools over the years innovation has now led to the creation of digital angle readers. This digital alternative works through automatically reading the angle and displaying it on a digital screen.
Some of these digital angle readers resemble bevel protractors whilst others look as simple as a small box that read the size of an angle from being placed on a surface. These tools are known as digital angle gauges or digital inclinometers and are widely available.
