Dial Caliper?

[topclass2017]

Next thing we'll talking about slide rules.

I have my Dad's Keuffel and Esser (sp?) slide rule that he used at Rennselear in the 40's. Got me through college in the early 70's just as 4-function calculators were coming out.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I stole the pic but it's what I was using in my early day's.

As a Young Man doing my Machine Shop Apprenticeship I used a 3ft. Model ( 1960).
I used to cut Transmission Turbine's those where some Day's ! Cutting Oil and Lucky Strikes LSMFT

 

[whatsupdoc]

Awhile ago I tried measuring some cases with my old Geo Scherr vernier caliper. 30 seconds into the attempt
back in the drawer it went.

 

[Kurz]

The official method for reading anything with ticks is that you can do 0, 1, or half. The image above is 3.335. Can't be 3.334 because not a valid measure for a machine-era measuring system.

You might want to try that one again...

With a little help from the photo software:






Note the zero at the far left of the picture. Then count 1,2,3 which are preceded by a decimal as in 0.100, 0.200 and 0.300 according to this picture cropped from the original. So we now have 0.33 + 0.004 or 0.334 since according to the face of the dial each demarcation or 'tick' is 0.001 on this dial caliper.

There is nothing even close to 3 inches in this picture of the measurement.

 

[Bob3700]

Calipers , whether dial or digital are not designed for four digit accuracy. that is what micrometers are for.

 

[6MMsteve]

Parallax is a PITA for dials, so learn that well to not fool yourself. Know what angle you are looking at, even as the dial moves across the face

The official method for reading anything with ticks is that you can do 0, 1, or half. The image above is 3.335. Can't be 3.334 because not a valid measure for a machine-era measuring system.

When you get really, really, realllllly experienced at it, you can start trying for subsidiary fractions, but not everyone gets

You might want to try that one again...

With a little help from the photo software:

View attachment 1291819

View attachment 1291820


Note the zero at the far left of the picture. Then count 1,2,3 which are preceded by a decimal as in 0.100, 0.200 and 0.300 according to this picture cropped from the original. So we now have 0.33 + 0.004 or 0.334 since according to the face of the dial each demarcation or 'tick' is 0.001 on this dial caliper.

There is nothing even close to 3 inches in this picture of the measurement.

lol that's what I was tinkin, .334 and that's it

 

[M-61]

I have 3 Vernier's that I used. One is a Mauser! Another is a TESA which has 20° Celsius stamped on it which I assumed meant that 68° F was the temp in which it is the most accurate or set for by the factory.
Never made it to the dial type as between parallax etc. presented possible errors. Finally made it to the digital read out which is all I use today. Starrett I like the best but the Fowler is OK also. Has to be an auto off.

 

[6MMsteve]

I had a Brown & Sharp Dial caliper that was like glass you could not feel the gear effect man I wish I never sold them, been searching for one like it, never have found one that smooth..

 

[hpshooter]

That is a dial caliper, not a vernier caliper. This is a vernier caliper. Picture from Wikipedia.
View attachment 1291761

One reason why old school machinist and tool and die makers had a loupe or good magnifying glass in the special drawer of the tool box.

 

[DiffEQ]

You might want to try that one again...

With a little help from the photo software:

View attachment 1291819

View attachment 1291820


Note the zero at the far left of the picture. Then count 1,2,3 which are preceded by a decimal as in 0.100, 0.200 and 0.300 according to this picture cropped from the original. So we now have 0.33 + 0.004 or 0.334 since according to the face of the dial each demarcation or 'tick' is 0.001 on this dial caliper.

There is nothing even close to 3 inches in this picture of the measurement.

The "3." Was a typo.
However, look at the angle of the dial teeth in the photo. That's not truly 0.334, more like 0.3343 because of the angle of view, a.k.a. parallax.
@papajoe222, when you close the jaws, make sure the needle is on zero.

 

[rwj]

Parallax is a PITA for dials, so learn that well to not fool yourself. Know what angle you are looking at, even as the dial moves across the face

One also needs to consider the angle of the light source casting the shadow…

 

[Cemetery21]

Ran across it the other day - forgot how to use it 50+ years ago.

 

[Kurz]

The "3." Was a typo.
However, look at the angle of the dial teeth in the photo. That's not truly 0.334, more like 0.3343 because of the angle of view, a.k.a. parallax.
@papajoe222, when you close the jaws, make sure the needle is on zero.

Whatever trips your trigger.

Have a great day!

 

[DiffEQ]

Have a great day!

You too, sir!

 

[dfrosch]

Calipers , whether dial or digital are not designed for four digit accuracy. that is what micrometers are for.

Yep. And, most caliper manufacturers say the accuracy is +/-.002.

But you can develop a feel with a quality caliper and measure a bit finer.

 

[shoobe01]

Yup, yup. Good calls all. Photos! No context I screwed up with the first significant digit, and indeed fell for what I said in parallax with shadows! Or maybe I am just too old, been too long since I actually could run a slide rule for real, used dial measuring equipment regularly, dammit

 

[PhilC]

I believe the actual reading is 0.340.
The gray line on the dial is the needle's shadow from the light

The shadow is to the right of the numbers because the flash is to the left of the lens not surrounding it. Old school photographer from a time when cameras weren't "point and shoot".

 

[D-4297]

Broke into the shop as a trainee in 1964 , spinning chips , and learning to check parts run by real machinists . Started with Vernier's cause my old school Boss said if I couldn't learn to read them , I was to dumb to be there . Finally got to the machines and the Boss handed me a set of Brown & Sharpe dial calipers . Man ; Was I hot stuff . LOL . Have two B&S 6" Dial , and 1 Mitutoyo 6" dial . Buy quality . Pay the price , and you'll only buy once . Mine are over 50 years old , and as accurate as the day they were new . Gorilla hands not acceptable . Use the same pressure on a caliper you would holding a baby bird . or you'll stretch the anvils .

 

[Caveman Jim]

Broke into the shop as a trainee in 1964 , spinning chips , and learning to check parts run by real machinists . Started with Vernier's cause my old school Boss said if I couldn't learn to read them , I was to dumb to be there . Finally got to the machines and the Boss handed me a set of Brown & Sharpe dial calipers . Man ; Was I hot stuff . LOL . Have two B&S 6" Dial , and 1 Mitutoyo 6" dial . Buy quality . Pay the price , and you'll only buy once . Mine are over 50 years old , and as accurate as the day they were new . Gorilla hands not acceptable . Use the same pressure on a caliper you would holding a baby bird . or you'll stretch the anvils .

Indeed, proper technique is needed when working with precise tools.

 

[dave@aDave]

lol .340 and the needle would be down there over the 40

Yep. You are correct. My bad