A better protractor for multiple jobs

[lucid geode]

Good evening, I need to cut and measure some angles on wood for my shed but cannot find my trustee school math set protractor anywhere (I seem to remember it breaking a few months back though).
I’ve been putting some thought into it and I don’t want to just buy another basic school protractor if there’s something relatively cheap available that will do a better job and last. Does anyone have any suggestions? UK based if it makes a difference nowadays.

The more I think about it, a clear plastic one makes more sense than a metal one as that transparency allows better alignment but I have only ever used the cheap ones mind.

[proven sierra]

There are some good options out there. A rafter square, a carpenters triangle, or a digital angle finder are all solid tools. Some take some learning to use well.

There is also a protractor-ruler, the union of measure and marking in one weird but handy widget

https://a.co/d/9Lrcc1H

[lucid geode]

I kept seeing these ruler/protractor hybrids in my search. I kept pre-empting the moving part getting annoying or lost. I also don’t like that the centre of the pivot isn’t 0 on the ruler/bottom edge of the protractor. I’m sure it’d be nigh impossible to make that work mind.

I think what I had in mind is something like a rafters square but I can see the depth of the square edge getting in the way of 2D/flat measuring jobs. Maybe if I had more call for woodwork it’d be worth the investment but I tend to work more on small scale 3DP and CAD aside from home improvement.

I also thought the digital angle finder would have the same issue as my callipers - when ever I need them the batteries are dead so wanted analogue but I do love the callipers for their accuracy so perhaps digital is the way forward.

[proven sierra]

There are analog versions of angle finders and calipers. The standard ruled caliper is pretty good once your figure out how to read them. But the dial calipers are just awesome... but NEVER let them fall.

It also depends on why you need the measurement. You can find x and y distance and math it out.

There are goniometers (medical protractos) that are pretty neat. And Wescott makes the W-8 protractor ruler combo, which may scratch your particular itch.

If you are trying to mark the location of something, like a hole or feature; you can CAD the feature or holes you need and print it 1:1. The use a scribe or pilot drill to mark the locations through the paper.

[lucid geode]

I think this W8 or something similar would be a good for my needs. It’s the next step up from a maths set protractor.

On a side note: I can safely say I’ll ignore the 1/10th of an inch scale unless I end up taking this along to scouts/hiking and need to accurately read a grid reference.