This saves me the effort of composing a similar post. I'd like to identify some +'s and -'s of the several alternatives.gpraceman wrote:This tool is just another option. Now there is getting to be a variety of axle alignment tools out there (Pro Body tool, PinePro Axle Alignment Jig, The Block, and this adjustable angle block), in a variety of price ranges, so people now have more choices. Some will appeal to those that have drill presses, while others appeal to those that do not. Some manage without such tools and use a drill press, a fence and different size drill bits as shims to achieve different cambers. Anyways, I don't think any of them are the "ultimate" for alignment. I see pros and cons with each one.
Adjustable Angle Block:
+ Versatile and applicable to other shop activities.
+ With vernier calibration, capable of relatively precise setting.
- Narrow (approx. 1") support width risks introducing toe angle errors. The narrowness makes the tool more prone to error from small variations is straightness of the car body.
- Susceptible to toe angle error from nonparallel body sides.
- Hole trueness dependent on "good drilling technique".
- Requires a drill press.
"The Block":
+ Eliminates the "nonparallel sides" issue (which is a pretty small isses, I think, since the squareness of the drill press table on which the tool rests is usually more of an issue than the parallelness of the wood's sides.)
- Single application, relatively expensive tool.
- Not easily adjustable from the two camber angles built in (0 degrees and 2.5 degrees).
- Hole trueness dependent on "good drilling technique".
- Requires a drill press.
ProBody Tool:
+ Eliminates the "nonparallel sides" issue.
+ Hole trueness much less dependent on "good drilling technique."
+ Requires NO drill press.
- Single application tool, but priced so that the single app is much less of an issue.
- Subject to much more "wear degradation" than other tools in the list.
- Capable of "positive camber" only in special situations (thin body so the work piece can be inserted upside down).
"Fence and Spacers"
+ No single use tools.
+ Easily adjustable to a wide variety of camber angles
- Susceptible to toe angle error from nonparallel body sides.
- Hole trueness dependent on "good drilling technique".
- Requires a drill press.
(If you think I missed some important comparisons, please Copy and Change the list to your preference.)
Given these comparisons, I'd opt for the "ProBody Tool" or "Fence and Spacers". If I had a need for curiously angled holes in narrow, rectangular items like chair legs, I would add the "Adjustable Angle Block." I might get one anyway, just because it is a "really neat tool".