How to use calipers?

engineermike · July 16, 2010, 07:43 AM

I read the other day where someone wrote "Use a micrometer because most people don't know how to use their thumb on a caliper." So, is there a special way to use calipers? Since just about everything I use my caliper on, in reloading, is hard, or mostly hard, metal don't I just have to place the object I am measuring and press closed with my thumb until the jaws (Just guessing they are called jaws) are in contact and take a reading? Can someone instruct me on how to use calipers?

Mike

Doodlebugger45 · July 16, 2010, 08:06 AM

I don't know of anything magical about the technique to use calipers. I just close the jaws until they come into contact with the item to be measured. I don't overtighten them. Just to be sure they are calibrated right (mine are digital), I typically measure a bullet that I'm confident I know the diameter of. So far, whenever I have measured a good jacketed 7 mm bullet it has always read .284" so I figure it's good.

mehavey · July 16, 2010, 08:17 AM

Not rocket science again.

Some/most calipers of old had a round "friction button" where your thumb would hit in pressing the caliper closed. You closed things until this friction button turned, indicating uniform pressure was being used.

Newer (especially digital) calipers don't have this button. You develop the "feel" for uniform closure pressure by taking a few repeated measurements which show identical readings. With digital readouts, this is usually very easy to do after a short learning curve (minutes).

So easy, even a caveman can do it.....

Don P · July 16, 2010, 08:18 AM

here is a link to the step by step use of a caliper and how to read the numbers.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/V...spx?ID=MSR4303

Hope it helps

This site is a wealth of knowledge
http://www.starrett.com/pages/74_pre..._measuring.cfm

July 16, 2010, 07:43 AM	#1
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	How to use calipers? I read the other day where someone wrote "Use a micrometer because most people don't know how to use their thumb on a caliper." So, is there a special way to use calipers? Since just about everything I use my caliper on, in reloading, is hard, or mostly hard, metal don't I just have to place the object I am measuring and press closed with my thumb until the jaws (Just guessing they are called jaws) are in contact and take a reading? Can someone instruct me on how to use calipers? Mike

July 16, 2010, 08:18 AM	#4
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	here is a link to the step by step use of a caliper and how to read the numbers. http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/V...spx?ID=MSR4303 Hope it helps This site is a wealth of knowledge http://www.starrett.com/pages/74_pre..._measuring.cfm __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.* Last edited by Don P; July 16, 2010 at 08:25 AM.

July 16, 2010, 08:06 AM	#2
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I don't know of anything magical about the technique to use calipers. I just close the jaws until they come into contact with the item to be measured. I don't overtighten them. Just to be sure they are calibrated right (mine are digital), I typically measure a bullet that I'm confident I know the diameter of. So far, whenever I have measured a good jacketed 7 mm bullet it has always read .284" so I figure it's good.

July 16, 2010, 08:17 AM	#3
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,207	Not rocket science again. Some/most calipers of old had a round "friction button" where your thumb would hit in pressing the caliper closed. You closed things until this friction button turned, indicating uniform pressure was being used. Newer (especially digital) calipers don't have this button. You develop the "feel" for uniform closure pressure by taking a few repeated measurements which show identical readings. With digital readouts, this is usually very easy to do after a short learning curve (minutes). So easy, even a caveman can do it.....