I've purchased a few of these from Amazon and Woodcraft, and discovered they all had inches divided in FIFTHs. Anyone know where to buy a 6" model with inches in QUARTERS? And not battery operated; just manual.
Thanks!
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Source for Vernier calipers
- Thread starter Marianne Patton
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perhaps this one? 1/128th" graduations so it'll have quarter inch spots - (The ones in fifths are more "decimal" oriented (to .001" accuracy)) https://www.travers.com/product/ttc-wh-6-vernier-caliper-57-015-011
I prefer dial calipers, and for one in inches I love this one, easy to read down to 64ths (I have two, bought the fist about 10 years ago):
In fact, your post reminded me I meant to order another one so I did just now. (It was cheaper 10 years ago!)
JKJ
In fact, your post reminded me I meant to order another one so I did just now. (It was cheaper 10 years ago!)
JKJ
I've got an ancient, but in nearly new condition, Craftsman version of what Brian shows, but it is difficult for me to read. I've got a cheap digital, but it eats batteries, and its 1/128 is just too picky for woodworking. John's dial caliper looks like an option for me to check out. But really, I've had a few of these around the shop forever, and 98% of the time they serve my purpose at the lathe.
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I have my grandfather's Starrett pocket caliper - reads to .001" - Looking on Starrett website , appears they are now selling for over a grand a pop retail new... wonder what one from the early 1950's would sell for.....
I'll give you $20 for it!
While I prefer dial calipers for measuring at the lathe,I've got some Mitutoyo and a Starrett digital, but the Starrett recently quit. And a Starrett height gauge for use at the mill - what an incredible tool!
But none of these can beat the cheap vernier calipers at the wood lathe for sizing with a parting tool. I found them on Amazon once for $4 each and bought enough to use and give to others. I never read the scale, just set it the distance or approx distance with some other tool, then lock it down. A cheap caliper without a lock wouldn't do for me, since it could move with use. I always round of the tips as shown int the one at the top.
I never use them for inside diameters but do use the depth gauge on the end to transfer measurements or check depth of holes.
JKJ
When doing a google search, insert the term: 1/128
That will define what you want.
Decades back Enco (now gone) offered 8" vernier calipers that had metric and 1/128" scales. I liked them so much I ordered eight. I still have them near various machines. That particular scale is my absolute favorite for general woodworking. Sure, for metalworking I've got lots of other types like digital and dial, but the vernier scale is quick and intuitive.
Look for 4-way measuring vernier calipers. That extra way comes in handy some times.
Here's a shot of the scale sample.
That will define what you want.
Decades back Enco (now gone) offered 8" vernier calipers that had metric and 1/128" scales. I liked them so much I ordered eight. I still have them near various machines. That particular scale is my absolute favorite for general woodworking. Sure, for metalworking I've got lots of other types like digital and dial, but the vernier scale is quick and intuitive.
Look for 4-way measuring vernier calipers. That extra way comes in handy some times.
Here's a shot of the scale sample.
Had one like this for years, now use digital metric. I still have a Mitutoyo manual in inches and cm. I'm quite happy with either Metric or Imperial and use both a lot of the time.
Thank you so much, John, Bob, Brian and Steve! What an interesting discussion and I appreciate all your interest and experience.
I studied all your recommendations, and then, I dunno, life distracted me and I didn't get busy.
But I finally settled on this one, even though I didn't want to spend that much. Sure enough, it's perfect and I think it's going to be a good investment.
I studied all your recommendations, and then, I dunno, life distracted me and I didn't get busy.
But I finally settled on this one, even though I didn't want to spend that much. Sure enough, it's perfect and I think it's going to be a good investment.
After thinking about it, I actually ordered a third one. I found myself carrying one into the other room to my little machine shop and forgetting to bring it back
I have some digital too but prefer the analog. Lots of times I want something "about" some dimension, don't really care if it's measured within 3 decimal places. In fact, all those decimal places tend to confuse my two remaining brain cells.
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Hmmm 3 decimal places, 2 brain cells, guess they have to learn to juggle...
“And a few sixteenths “ !
"Honest, I did not order that from Ama-uhhh... I don't know where it came from."
Yup. I have good ones for other work, but a cheapo at the lathe for run of the mill stuff. I plan to make one of those tenon/sizing gauges common in the UK, just haven't got there yet.
A set of open end wrenches will do for most of the sizes, but they are slightly over sized so they may not work for pieces to be held in a collet chuck or to be inserted into a drilled mortise. The technique using the wrenches is to first get the tenon uniform diameter then shear scrape to final size.
I have made something similar using 1/4" steel plate and finishing with an end mill in my Bridgeport milling machine to a more exact size.