MICROMETERS & CALIPERS DISCUSSED (FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN QUALITY)

[chief38]

Not really familiar with Omega brand so I am not in a position to judge. Never saw one.

 

[chief38]

I must say that when I use one of my Grandfather's or Father's tools in my Shop it sort of gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that they held those tools in their hands for decades.

 

[misswired]

I’ve never cared for Starrett micrometers from day one. With that said Starrett depth gauges are superior, as pictured. Brown& Sharpe were always the preferred precision dial indicators. Ames indicators and Mitutoyo blade mics were the best.....Accordingly, the 2002 dated calibration stickers have me 18 years outta the game. Soooo.... I’m clueless to the quality of current day precision measurement instruments

 

[Golddollar]

I'm not a machinist, just a reloader and general tinkerer, but I can appreciate precision workmanship and good tools.

I'm not a machinist either, but reading this thread brought back a lot of memories about the drawing tools I used for decades as a title insurance agent and title examiner. The last set I had were a protractor by Dietzgen and a measuring scale and a compass from Staedtler-Mars. It may sound unusual to associate hand tools with an office job, but early on I learned how to take the legal description from a deed and draw a picture of the configuration of the property. It became an important skill, especially in proving that the chain of title presented to me actually covered the property in question all the way back.

Yes, eventually there were computer programs developed for plotting legal descriptions, but as a surveyor friend said to me, "Sometimes it's good to plot a description by hand. It makes you think about what you're doing." After I retired, I went back to an old employer to teach some of the employees about how to plot legal descriptions by hand like I did. My belief was that I had an obligation to pass along my experience to the next generation, so that whether they used hand tools or a computer, they would understand what the process was about.

 

[chief38]

I'm not a professional Machinist either (but have many of the professional skills and have honed them over my lifetime of using them), but I did take 2 semesters of Machine shop in HS operating pretty much any machine (lathe, milling machine, shaper, drill press, arbor press, etc) you would find in a machinist's shop. I operated my Dad's South Bend Lathe many times when I was growing up (wish he never sold it as I would have really appreciated inheriting that) and I have many of the tools and some of the equipment you would find in a real shop. Regrettably I no longer have access to a lath or milling machine but I do have a very accurate floor model Drill Press, a slew of just about every size of Taps and Dies, some Reamers and obviously a wide array of measuring instruments, gauges and comparators.

These days I mostly use the skills and tools I have to refurbish and repair the personal items we all join this forum to discuss as well as many other items for automobiles, motorcycles, machinery etc. I also invent things and have many other hobbies. Some here know I am a huge Lionel Electric Train enthusiast and there have been many many times I've had to make or repair parts for vintage locomotives, rolling stock and accessories. I also enjoy refurbishing and restoring early 20th century electric fans. There have been many times I've had to make gears, knobs, springs, etc. to get those items back into like new condition. While I've never sold any, I have fully restored lots of them for gifts to family and friends.

When I was in my own business I often had to make parts for machines and tools that broke down as I could not wait days or weeks to get a particular machine or tool up and running once again. Time is money!!

Micrometers, Calipers, all kinds of quality tools that I own really help make the job easier and more precise.

 

[dmar]

Curious, with dial calipers, do you prefer the white face, or black face dials? Which do find easier to read?

 

[chief38]

Curious, with dial calipers, do you prefer the white face, or black face dials? Which do find easier to read?

To be honest with you I've never owned any black dial Calipers - mine are all while or a light cream color - probably faded from age. I suppose it comes down to each individuals vision and preference.