Hello All,
Before digital readouts where affordable machinist used dial indicators to measure travel. As a quick solution to get better height control I discovered a dial indicator fits in the place of the depth rod. I used a 1" indicator, but a 2" would be better. This is cheaper than adding a horizontal digital scale and more accurate than using feeler gauges. The only downside is I doubt it will stand up to dust over a prolonged period of time. I view this as a temporary solution, and not a permanent fixture. Dial indicators can be found at Harbor Freight, Enco, and Ebay for dirt cheap.
I'll also toss in another small tip. Rockler and other woodworking supply companies are selling brass setup bars for setting the height of tools( routers, saws, fences etc). They come in a five or six piece set and range from 1/8" to 1/2" thick. I have found those to be pretty handy over the years. They can easily be combined if you need a thickness larger than 1/2". They work just like a feeler gauge. I know these are really basic tips, but I hope someone finds them useful.
Any question of comments, feel free to contact me