![]() ![]() Without moving or closing the calipers, again press the zero button. Using any of the techniques above, take your first measurement. To take a difference measurement first close the calipers and press the zero button. A difference measurement gives you the difference between to objects dimensions. Difference MeasurementĪ difference measurement can be combined with any of the above measuring choices. This is very handy when working with small objects or building scale models of larger items. The bottom jaw of the caliper will rest on one step, while the top jaw will make contact with the next step. A step measurement uses the head of the caliper to measure the step difference between two sections of material. If your calipers don’t have this ability, you can use the depth gauge in a pinch to replicated this function in a pinch. Not all digital calipers are designed to take step measurements. Place the base of the calipers over the hole and using the thumbscrew slowly lower the probe into the object until it makes contact with the bottom of the recess. To take a depth measurement you’ll once again want to close your calipers and press the zero button to calibrate the digital calipers. This probe can be inserted into objects to determine how deep a hole or cut out in an object is. Read the measurement on the digital indicator! Depth MeasurementsĪt the base of almost every pair of digital calipers is a depth gauge, sometimes called a “depth probe”. Slowly open the calipers using the thumbscrew until both jaws make firm contact with the object. Insert the small jaws of the digital calipers into the hole while closed. This will insure an exact and accurate measurement. ![]() With each new measurement operation it is always a good idea to press the zero button to re-calibrate the calipers before you start. To measure the inside diameter, once again close your calipers. Examples of inside dimensions would be the inside hole of a washer, the diameter of an existing hole to determine which drill bit or bolt diameter to use, the distance between fins on a radiator, or the space between the keys on your computer keyboard. The smaller jaws on your digital calipers are for measuring the inside dimensions of an object. Use the thumbscrew on the caliper to slowly close the jaws until firm contact has been made with both jaws. Then open the calipers and place the large jaws around the object. Press the zero button to re-calibrate the calipers from any previous uses. This could be a bolt head, a dowel rod, a section of lumber, a part you’re machining, or even to help you check your wood-turning dimensions! To measure the outside dimensions first close the calipers. The large jaws on your digital calipers are for measuring the outside dimensions of an object. You’ll be using your digital calipers the right way in no time! Outside Measurements So let’s a take a minute to break this down and talk about each way. Difference Measurement using any jaw and a reset of the zero position.Step Measurement using the head of the calipers.Depth Measurement using the depth gauge.Inside Measurement using the small jaws.Outside Measurement using the large jaws.There are five different yet distinct ways to measure something with digital calipers. No workshop should be without! So now that you know you need one, let’s talk about how to use them the right way! The Right Way to use Digital Calipers If you don’t have a set, then you need to head on over to your local woodworking store, home improvement store, or and order a set. Calipers can be purchased that have an imperial scale, a metric scale, or most commonly both scales. Most digital calipers measure down to three decimal places (1000th of an inch, or millimeter), although some high end calipers will measure even smaller increments. In its most exact definition, calipers are designed to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object. Regardless, they are very functional and provide not one, but five different ways to measure an object. Before they were digital, vernier calipers either had a sliding scale or a dial indicator. Digital calipers can be had in several variations, but the most common style is known as Vernier Calipers. Even a small shop or just someone who is a tinkerer is going to want a set. A set of digital calipers are just about mandatory for any workshop.
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