I know everyone has their own ways of using a dial caliper, but What is the best way to use them to measure an outside diameter on a round part? I have heard and seen people use them at an angle when measuring and even trying to measure with them as straight as possible.
I also know that you should not use the "tips" of the caliper because they will measure as far as 0.002" or 0.003" than the middle of the caliper blade.
I know you from another thread you started so I know I can be bluntly honest. I know in advance that my post will ruffle a few feathers but so be it.
The first two links in post #2 I regard as both informative and thus excellent. Have in fact printed a copy of the first one for my “library”.
You are an apprentice at a small shop and have started, or are about to start technical school. You write “dial caliper” and I don’t know if you really mean a dial caliper but not important as all 3 types (vernier, dial and digital) should be used the same way. One of the first things an apprentice learns at our technical schools is how to use a caliper – CORRECTLY. I’ve demonstrated at technical schools here in Denmark (plus one in the USA) and in fact will be doing so again next week in the same town as Grundfos.
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You know everyone has their own ways”. Maybe, but I’ve seen how caliper manufacturers (including Mitutoyo) use and test the calipers and they all do the same. The thumb rest or roller is there for a reason. If you are using a caliper up to 8”/200mm and using more than one hand you’re doing something wrong. Either that or measuring a very unusual dimension on an unusual part.
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I also know that you should not use the "tips" of the caliper because they will measure as far as 0.002" or 0.003" than the middle of the caliper blade.”
I certainly hope you don’t know that. It seems to be a sad fact that many in the USA are expected to supply their own measuring tools including calipers. This means that many will use their caliper for as long as possible and when the time comes to renew buy another as used because it is cheaper than a new. Any “extra” inaccuracy is either because the jaws are worn, too much slack on the sliding jaw (this can be adjusted on most calipers) or too much measurement pressure.
All caliper manufacturers I know make their
standard calipers to the same standard and to the same manufacturing tolerances.
Digital Caliper Accuracy - YouTube
those are my hands.
It’s no secret my preference is a digital caliper and for several reasons. After zeroing then you can see the measurement result plus, when it is necessary most can show the result in both mm and ins.
I’ll stop here but have a feeling this could be a lengthy thread.