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.
Tinkering in the shop this evening, checking something with my fairly new dial caliper of a few months. Frankly, hats off to @John K Jordan for facilitating a moment of weakness when I ordered this dial caliper. It's proving to be a very good tool in this tinkerer's workshop. The 1/64" ticks serve me well, but 1/128" are found in between those ticks. I don't need two, but I'm trying to create a reason to buy another. Give yourself a stocking stuffer this year and buy one. Amazon link-
iGaging Dial Caliper 6" Fractional & Decimal Inch Combination Dual Scale: Mechanical Kitchen Scales: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
iGaging Dial Caliper 6" Fractional & Decimal Inch Combination Dual Scale: Mechanical Kitchen Scales: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
a.co
(head held in shame) I found with my mental deficiencies I really needed three. One obeys well and stays on the shelf in my little machine shop. One is usually around the lathe or bench. The third is in a tool drawer near the lathe for when I the other one down somewhere and it decides to play hide and seek.
JKJ
JKJ
Well John, when my shop measures 11' x 21', it's not too hard to keep track of one tool. But someday, maybe 5-6 years from now, when a new shop is at least double the size, two will prove to be handy.
Howdy Adrian, Your gauge you are interested in making is kinda done for you with a Router Depth Gauge. There are a zillion or two of them on Amazon to choose from. Rockler also carries one in a blue color, so you have a shot at seeing the flash of color under the wood chips at the lathe. When it comes to calipers, folks are giving great ideas here, but I would suggest selecting calipers that have a threaded knurled tightening knob. Some that I have are very nice stainless steel ones but they have a pusher style thingy that I worry about slipping when I use them for go-no-go at the lathe.
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Ooo, don't wait too long to start, at least don't wait until you are over 60 like I did. A fun shop is an amazing boost to mental and physical health!
I built my shop on a spot I cleared, leveled, and compacted near the barn, as large as I could fit without unreasonable fill, and still leave enough room on one side for a wide drive to park and get past equipment. I tell visitors I built the shop with my bare hands but I lie - I used tools! I have a measuring tapes, saws, hammers and electrical tape and I'm not afraid to use them. Can save a small fortune by not paying someone else to do everything - AND you end up with it built right.
My son helped me get the 6x6 posts up and braced, a friend brought a crane and set the trusses and put the roof on so I wouldn't fall off and die. I paid a guy to pour and surface the concrete but did everything else myself. Took me about 6 years from dirt to lights and wiring in the walls. (I moved the lathe and bandsaw in before I even had all the interior walls up!) Still have a wee bit of "touch up" to do.
The slab is 24x62 but 8x24 on one end is porch and office, other space is welding, machine shop, incubating peacocks, maintenance area.
And now clogged with a BUNCH of wood storage and wood drying. Most used areas are turning, metal working, and tools and supplies for working on equipment.
No running water inside but it does have heat and air - the best decision ever!
Ran ethernet cable and power in underground in conduits.
If I did it all over again I'd make it maybe 30' longer and also add a bathroom and shower wing on one side, maybe it's not too late - the water line is 20' from the end of the shop. I also wish I'd built a covered slab on one side to change oil in the excavator, etc., without laying in the gravel.
JKJ
Well, yes, unfortunately waiting until after 60 is necessary. We aren't dependent upon it for chronic issues (knock on wood), but the cost of health insurance, and paying the whole bill from our pockets, demands waiting a few more years to retire. We'll start drawing at least one of our SS payment at that time to cover (most of?) the cost of health insurance. The plan is to retire in just under 5 years (prior to my 62nd birthday), and relocate out of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We'll remain in the region, but away from the metropolis, close enough to be in easy distance to family, but far enough not to receive local TV news broadcasts. Southern MN, maybe NE Iowa. We've spent summer weekends exploring smaller towns in these areas and we have a short list developed. Next summer we'll start in earnest developing the decision process. We'd like to buy a small piece of land on the edge of a small town, and if we find that magical parcel we'll likely buy it ahead of retirement. Having it built and ready by that time is the intention. Phew!