but can the degrees be used to set it without having manufacturer degree specs?
Sure. If you'd paid attention in 10th grade trigonometry you'd know the angle/degrees and the length of the control surface (adjacent) would be used to identify the movement (the opposite leg to the angle).
Now, if we can find someone who paid attention he'll tell you the details.
I do remember Vicky Eldermann's sweater, though . . .