M1 Caliber by REEKON Tools – Review
M1 Caliber – Miter Saw Measuring Tool
One of the great things about running a tool review site is we get to see lots of new products before they hit the market. Recently the folks from REEKON Tools sent us a prototype of a new product that they are launching this month called the M1 Caliber. The M1 Caliber is a measuring tool designed to use with miter saws for fast measuring of stock material without the need for a tape measure and marking tool.
M1 Caliber – How it Works
The M1 Caliber is a fairly simple device that uses a spring loaded tensioning arm to put pressure on a digital measuring wheel. As the wheel rotates from sliding material under it towards the saw blade it, it records the linear distance. Before making any cuts the user must select the saw blade width (kerf) in the settings. This allows each cut to be adjusted for the specific blade width being used on the saw. Then, before measuring for a cut the device is “zeroed” with the wood against the saw blade teeth (or better yet by making a starting cut), the the user slides the material towards the saw blade until the digital read-0ut displays the length of the cut needed. You can learn more here.
Using the M1 Caliber
Setting up and using the M1 Caliber is extremely easy to do and well suited to fit a wide range of miter saws (including metal cut-off saws). The unit uses two AA batteries for power which are easily inserted into the right side of the unit. The unit attaches to the fence of a the miter saw with a spring loaded clamp that can easily be set using one hand and no tools. Next the spring loaded tension arm can be lowered down so the wheel touches the miter saw table.
Accuracy and Precision
The benefit of a tool like this is providing consistent accuracy and precision. That’s not to say you can do a great job with a tape measure, but this process can safe a lot of time and result in more accurate cuts as it eliminates both marking and visual errors associated with using a traditional tape measure or ruler when cutting at the miter saw.
I cut a variety of material in different lengths to see how accurate the cuts were and I was surprised at not only how accurate, but how repeatable the dimensions were. Above you can see I ran this piece of Oak through the M1 Caliber set to 6″ and cut the piece. Down below is the cut off piece and it measured 6″.
Where to Buy
Starting on June 16th the M1 Caliber will start a pre-order period. You can learn more about it here. The units will range from $139.99 and $149.99 once they go on sale, however during the presale they will be as low as $89.99.
Overall Impression – M1 Caliber
First let me say this is the first time we’ve published a review based entirely on using a prototype. Because it’s a prototype, we cannot comment on the fit and finish of the unit as the real production units will be much nicer than the one we evaluated. Having said that this review is based on the functionality of the prototype.
At first I was a bit skeptical about the need for this tool and what I’d use it for. But after using it around the shop I found myself enjoying the ability to quickly cut material to a specific length without needing my tape measure or a pencil. The unit is very easy to set up and extremely accurate.
It does have some limitations worth noting. It won’t work on really narrow material as the wheel is set off the fence about 3/4″. Also, the unit needs flat smooth material otherwise the measurements may be off due to the rough or uneven surface.
With pricing well below $200 this is a good value for anyone looking for a more efficient and accurate way of measuring material on the miter saw.
About the author
Todd Fratzel
Todd Fratzel is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz, and the President of Front Steps Media, LLC, a web based media company focused on the Home Improvement and Construction Industry.He is also the Principal Engineer for United Construction Corp., located in Newport, NH. In his capacity at United he oversees the Residential and Commercial Building Division along with all Design-Build projects.He is also the editor of Home Construction & Improvement.
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HI,
This is a very nice tool.
Can i ask you where can we find this device to by it.
Thank you in advance.
Fortes,Ch
There is a link in the article that you can click on for more info.
Hi, I have two questions.
When cutting angles, does it measure from the inner edge or the outer edge and can it be set for either?
Will it work on a table saw sled?
Noel – It definitely would work on a table saw sled, great idea! I didn’t mess around with the angles much but it will do angles, it’s all about where you set “zero” and doing the same thing over and over again, so it should work fine.
Thanks Todd, I guess I’d have to be the extension fences and attach them to the sled. Is there any word on when they’ll be available and the cost?
Cheers
Noel
If you follow the link in the article I think you’ll find the most pertinent info.
Hi, were can I buy it so I don’t have to wait till December?
Not sure you can.
I ordered two online, and receive two junk digital mechanical calipers, and now there’s no way to get your money back or replacement I think it’s a scam what are your thoughts
Right now this product is still in the PRE-ORDER status, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/reekon/m1-caliber-a-better-way-to-measure
So…if you ordered from some other place, you likely got scammed. These are not shipping until at least December
I ordered in November 2020 and I’m still getting the runaround about my order
I now want a full refund. I think it’s also a scam
Order # 2899
Please reply asap
Carole – We have NOTHING to do with the folks selling it. They sent us a sample to test, nothing more. There are a LOT of fake scams out there for this tool that have nothing to do with the folks actually making it. Good luck.
Hey Andrew, this is Christian Reed, founder of REEKON Tools. We are only currently accepting pre-orders right now and you may have purchased from one of the several Chinese imposter sites that use our images to falsely sell knock-off products/fabric tape measures. We are actively working with Facebook to get these taken down but apologize for the inconvenience. If you’d like, shoot us an email at contact@reekon.tools, and well make sure to get you a discount code to use on our official pre-order site!
Exactly the same thing happened to me They want you to return them to China when they were sent from within the UK where I live, They first offered a discount which I refused then they offered another discount But it would still make paying over double the price for digital calliper’s for something you can get on Ebay for £4.99 There are a lot of companies doing the same advertising on the media if I see the same company again I will try to report it.
Great thing tool I have seen so far and really need it in my work shop for sure.
I agree it’s a scam, I also ordered two of them and receiver some crappy plastic slide caliper. Wast of money don’t buy it!!!!
Hey Mike, this is Christian Reed, founder of REEKON Tools. We are only currently accepting pre-orders right now and you may have purchased from one of the several Chinese imposter sites that use our images to falsely sell knock-off products/fabric tape measures. We are actively working with Facebook to get these taken down. If you’d like, shoot us an email at contact@reekon.tools and well make sure to get you a discount code to use on our official pre-order site!
Scam I ordered one and got crappy item too
It’s not a scam…you got scammed by Chinese imposters posting fake images. They haven’t even shipped these yet.
Are these tools made in the USA? What about all the others that have the same image, but are lower priced?
There are chinese knockoffs being sold that are NOT these. These haven’t started shipping yet.
Hi I got scammed to I would like to by one of these for my work shop unfortunately I’m a bit worried that this mite be a scam to
You have to follow the link in the article, there are other scams out there. The link here is an official one, they have not shipped any real ones yet.
So when will they be available at the $89 price I’ve seen them on the Internet advertise $29 but we know that is a fraud.
Harry – The best I can tell you is follow the link in the post, it’s the only official link that we are aware of.
Can this tool be used on irregular shaped crown mouldings?
Interesting question. I think so long as the wheel can make good contact it should.
The Link in this article takes me to a website that say it costs 2000.00 plus CAD and over 1500.00 USD. That’a a far cry from 190.00 USD
Dennis – That’s not true. I just looked at their kickstarter page again. It says $109 pledge gets one. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/reekon/m1-caliber-a-better-way-to-measure
No clue where you got that info from. Their website is very clear, it’s a kickstarter funded project.
I ordered the machine and never received the item. The confirmation of the payment was sent via email as a thank you for my contribution. However, to date there has been no follow up to indicate I was selected or not.
Trevor – First off we have nothing to do with that company, we only reviewed a sample they sent us. It’s my understanding that the thing is still in the fundraising phase, when you made the “donation” they promised a tool once production started. I’d go to their website and check for an update. Again we have nothing to do with REEKON or that tool.
Hello
My name is craig kIllen in sw Virginia ,back in October I bought into a investment program for this m1 caliber measurement tool, with the perk that I would receive one in return, as of this writing I have not gotten anything from anyone, the program was called indeigogo through which I made the donation. Can you give me any updates as to when I can get the tool. Thanks
Craig – We are not affiliated with them in anyway. They sent us a prototype to review and that’s all. I’d contact them directly on their website that we linked to. Sorry I can’t help anymore than that.
They are going to email you. They said you are on their list and should be receiving regular updates from them.
Why are you advertising for a scam artist. Have you personally tried to purchase one from them? I doubt it, when you follow the link in your article it take you to one website. Then you click a link to preorder and takes you to indiegogo for you to purchase a perk of 130 dollars. And that is not guaranteed that you will receive the perk (item) from them. How about you go and meet the (company) that is supposedly making this awesome product and see for yourself before you start backing it. As far as anybody knows you’re part of the scam also.
David – I take personal offense to your suggestion that we’re part of a scam. It’s not a scam, it is however a crowd funded product, and it clearly states that. All we did was review a sample they sent us. We have no affiliation with them, and we got paid nothing. If you’re not into a “crowd funding” type of approach, just wait until it comes out on the market.
Hi,
I saw that is great tool to cut across.
How about 45 degrees cut? Does it work perfect too?
Thanks
yes it works on angles
I invested in the Kickstarter campaign and waited many months before it finally arrived. I had great expectations. However, after receiving it and trying it out, IT WAS A BIG MISTAKE! I’m 65 yrs old and have been the “trade” for a long time. and know about tools. Not intuitive to operate. No one can walk up to their chop saw and figure it out without reading the “hokey” manual for 15 mins. Even then they won’t make it work correctly
G,Day Rod I have been in the trade for 35+ years and thought I would benefit from using this tool.
Could you please outline the issues that you had or what improvements you would make.