digital calliper

[dragzz]

i just got the digital calliper today thot it might come in handy when building ships so i can see i have the right size of wood that i will need to get stuff done   its a model craft one its works real nice for me 

[normanh]

I wouldnt do without mine now, perfect for measuring the diameter of micro drills.

 

 

Norman

[cristikc]

Hi Dragzz, i have the same type. Just set the "zero" every time you start to measure, else you can have unpredictable result. The same problem is when you don't have battery. The only diference from the clasical one, is that you can read quicker, but the precision is done by the calliper manufacture

[dgbot]

I started out with a verneer type then dial.  I am happy to use a digital anytime.  It is easier on my eyes and I do not have to strain what is left of my feeble mind to decipher the other two.

David B

Edited September 15, 2013 by dgbot

[Patrick Haw]

I have the same model and it's essential.  The digital readout is so much easier than the vernier type.  Just had to sort out some 3.5mm x 1mm walnut strips for my Victory's wales from a slew of 4mm x 1mm strips.  Would have taken forever without the use of this device!

 

Patrick

[Rustyj]

I use it all the time too and love it. It's also great for converting back and forth from metric to US.

You should be able to find multi packs of batteries at a craft store and they are much cheaper.

[mikeaidanh]

Great tool! Good for transferring dimensions from scale plan to model. Take care of the nice sharp points as they are great for "pricking off" measurements direct to your timber.

 

Mike.

[CAd My Fingers]

It's one of my regularly used tools--love it that it does mm, decimals, & fractions. Am considering a similar height gauge, too--nice for setting up tools and probably waterlines, too.

 

Jay

[runner63]

Greatest tool I ever got

 

runner63

[Chuck Seiler]

I have one just like that.  Got it at Harbor Frieght for very reasonable.  Great tool.

[rtropp]

I too have found the digital caliper to be extremely useful. I would not do without it for both measuring the actual wood and also for transfer from plans.

 

For sorting wood I have used a simpler tool. It is a simple plastic ruler (Hobby and Craft Ruler)with cutouts to match the various width and thickness of the plank or sheet. It is made by Midwest products and, as I remember, cost about $10.

 

I am getting in the habit of double checking each strip before I use it, especially if it is in the batch of partially cut strips. The preset slots make it quick and easy.

 

Richard T

[WackoWolf]

I have two like that and also have a Dial one from SP and also one from "Brown & Shop" never use either one of those ("Swiss Precision Instruments" which I one at a show call "East Tech in Springfield Mass. And it is engrave with my name on it. Never use it), and a couple of others.

[craigb]

I too went from vernier to dial and now digital. I also use it for precision metalworking. 

 

However, I must say that these instruments are lifetime investments. You will not be sad if you save up the $100 or so for a quality American or Japanese made (Starrett, Browne and Sharpe, Mitutoyo etc.) calipers.  Others may disagree, but I have several precision instruments purchased by my grandfather that are as good as the day they were made. 

 

Then you can grind down one of the jaws on your old caliper (Vernier or otherwise) and have a very fine precision scribing gauge in your toolbox. 

[Pygothian]

I had the same set before my 2 year old put them in the dogs water bowl.

 

I've just ordered another set. Excellent for all sorts of things.

 

 

I previously used mine to get the camber length and shock distance on my RC car kits.

 

Think they will be perfect for measuring planks

[augie]

Ah........the old 'The dog ate my calipers' routine  

[mij]

Could not do without one, used all the time.

 

mij

[captainbob]

I learned this from a machinist at work.  To find out how much you need to remove from one part to make it match another:  Measure the smaller part and set the reading to zero.  Then measure the larger part. The number shown on the caliper will be the difference.  

 

Bob

[Erik Nyren]

Thats so simple and clever Bob, Why do I never think of theese things.

 

I have the same type of caliper, definitly one of the most used tools in the shop. 

I have found that measuring something and then press the inch/mm button does just that, and transfers the measurement between inch and mm which comes i handy for us metric folks using US plans and instructions

 

Erik

[Yambo]

However, I must say that these instruments are lifetime investments. You will not be sad if you save up the $100 or so for a quality American or Japanese made (Starrett, Browne and Sharpe, Mitutoyo etc.) calipers.  Others may disagree, but I have several precision instruments purchased by my grandfather that are as good as the day they were made. 

 

 

 

When my son was 16 he got an apprenticeship with British Aerospace and I bought him a Mitutoyo caliper - "You'll need one of these son!".

He tells me he's used it nearly every working day since then. He's now 34 and last Christmas I bought him another one with a couple more functions. He still has the first one I bought him. 

 

I use a vernier caliper but keep thinking about changing to digital. Maybe one day . . . 

[S.Coleman]

Great for measuring the thicknes of dowels for masts etc. Great tool

[Q A's Revenge]

Given how cheap they are these days there's no reason not to have a pair - I have three of them! They used to be very much more expensive though. My best pair is made by Mitutoyo and retailed at £160 when I got them many years ago.

Edited October 4, 2013 by Q A's Revenge

[captainbob]

The cheap one I bought eats batteries whether or not it is turned on.  It was either buy batteries or a better caliper.  

[rtropp]

Bob,

I have the same experience with batteries on the cheap model I bought.

 

Was wondering, does anyone know if Mitutoyo or another quality manufacturer makes a caliper that reads inches, mm, and fractions?

 

Richard T.

[Q A's Revenge]

Yes, there are some models that read fractions as well, at least here in the UK.

 

http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Measurement/Calipers

[SkerryAmp]

May as well throw another "love it and use it all the time" into the ring.

 

Same model from the looks of it.

[rtropp]

QA,

Thanks for the link.  These seem to be much less than the Matutoyo.  Do you have experience with these and if so, how are they on batteries?

Richard T

[HIPEXEC]

I use my new electric, digital caliper all the time to easily check the multitude of dimensions I have to keep track of. Saves a lot of time and guesswork.

Rich

USS Constitution hipexec

Edited October 16, 2013 by Hipexec

[Modeler12]

I know I am a bit old fashioned. I still prefer my watch with a dial. I also prefer to read my dimensions as shown below. I can easily see if the measurement is too high or too low and by how much.

 

But the upshot is that I could not do without a pair of calipers. I also use them to transfer dimensions (as was noted above).

[Landlubber Mike]

I've seen the digital calipers in a variety of sizes, from 4", 6", 8" and up.  Obviously price goes up considerably as you go bigger.  

 

I was wondering if a 4" model would work, or is it better to go to the 6" or 8" model?  Thanks!

[Q A's Revenge]

I bought a pair of 4" calipers to use in tight spaces, particularly on my milling machine. For normal use though 6" ones are much easier to handle IMO.