Task Force 8" Sliding T-Bevel Level - 117217

The price when I wrote this is about $6 including shipping. I understand that "you get what you pay for" so I will save any indignation. I bought the cheapest tool I could find as I don't need a sliding bevel gauge very often. It was a mistake.The simple fact is that this tool just will not hold an angle (common for some more expensive sliding t-bevels as well), and since holding an angle is really its only purpose in life, save the $6 bucks. If there is a way to modify the tool to make it work I am at a loss, as I have tried many different combinations of flat washers, lock washers, shims, etc. I even tried the same combinations using a different knurled nut, thinking I just couldn't get a good enough grip on the low profile saucer shaped nut that comes with the Task Force. I tightened it down so hard that it was difficult to loosen. It still wouldn't hold an angle if any directional pressure was applied to the blade.The lowest end Shinwa I could find on Amazon was about $15 for Prime members. I have used a different model Shinwa before and it worked well. I replaced the Task Force with a used Stanley #18 purchased from an auction site and it works perfectly. I am sure there are a lot of other good, relatively inexpensive options on Amazon. The bad news for me is that I didn't purchase it from Amazon. The good news is that if you do, or if you don't get good results from the next level of tool, Amazon returns are always easy.

You're getting what you pay for - A four dollar piece of junk on which the set screw doesn't tighten enough to keep the slide from moving around once you move it away from the wall to try and transfer the angle. So you have to hold the thing like you would a Ming vase (both hands, out in front of you) to ensure the angle doesn't change. Don't waste your money - buy something slightly more expensive that actually works.