Replies

1. 
   RickL | Mar 26, 2009 08:03pm | #1

   No need for digital calipers unless you do metric and imperial.  Best deal on calipers is from the Metal tool dealers like http://www.use-enco.com and http://www.wttool.com.  You can get a 6" dial caliper for around $12. I would stay away from the ones that give fractions. Learn that .0625" is 1/16".  You can get charts and card converters for decimal to fractions. I have didgital and dial calipers but strongly recommend just a dial type to start.

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 26, 2009 08:11pm | #2

   Granted, woodworking doesn't need to be done to the .00000000001 tolerance, but I gotta say, I use those calipers regularly when working in the shop.  The fact that you're not working to super-tight toleraces means, IMHO, you don't need the best out there.  I bought mine at Harbor Freight for under $20.  Tested them on some new quarters, a piece of brass bar stock, turned 'em on and off to see if the settings changed, they were consistent.

   I'm sure the expensive ones have better fit and finish, maybe move more smoothly?  But the budget ones do the job as far as I'm concerned.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   philip_r | Mar 26, 2009 08:38pm | #3

   I use several different type of dial calipers for woodworking.

   First, I use a imperial for milling my stock.  I find it to be the easiest to use and, since my planer doesn't allow me to take of .001" per pass, it provides all of the accuracy necessary.  Got mine for $20 at http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12867 - though you could go for the Starrett at 3+ times the price.

   For a number of tool adjustments, that do require .001" accuracy, I use the following items:

   http://in-lineindustries.com/alineit.basic.html

   http://www.oneway.ca/workshop/multi-gauge.htm

   12" and 36" http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=56676&cat=1,240,45313

   Finally, as far as joinery is concerned - don't worry about exact measurements... the measurement will vary by the type of wood so you just need to go by feel.  Most joinery can be easily done with a set of chisels and a well tuned shoulder plane.  http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=48430&cat=1,230,41182,41192

1. 
   habilis | Mar 26, 2009 09:14pm | #5

   Thanks. I'll start with the one from Hartville.Pete

1. 
   RickL | Mar 26, 2009 10:56pm | #7

   http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=610-5030&PMPXNO=948053&PARTPG=INLMK32

   This is all you need. 

2. 
   philip_r | Mar 26, 2009 11:51pm | #8

   You'll be happy with it.  Heck, I've purchase two others as gifts. 

   Woodcraft and Rockler also sell a similar product, if local stores are available.

4. 
   GW52 | Mar 26, 2009 09:07pm | #4

   The one I have is a dial caliper, not digital and my eyes have gotten old and I have not problems reading them. Expect to spend around $40.00 but make sure they are made of metal not plastic. Also shop around for a tap and die chart where they have all of the fractions and drill sizes in thousandths' of an inch.

5. 
   dustymctevish | Mar 26, 2009 10:05pm | #6

   Just bought a digital caliper from Harbor Freight for under $20.

6. 
   Julmer | Mar 26, 2009 11:58pm | #9

   I would recommend an inexpensive "dial" over the digital.  It's much easier to gauge the difference between pieces that your measuring with a dial than having to do the math in your head with the digital readouts. (often you don't care that they are an exact measurement, only that they are the same or very close).

7. 
   AdamCherubini | Mar 27, 2009 02:04am | #10

   Oh get the digital calipers.

   http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47257

   You can't beat these with a stick. One thing that's nice about them is that you can measure stuff you can't see. Zero them out. Take your measurement, hit the zero button, then remove the caliper, shut them tight, and you have your measurement. If your eyes aren't great either due to poor eyesight or fatigue (some folks work wood after a full's days work) these digital calipers really help.

   The link above are the cheapest versions. There's a big screen version too, which are nicer and more expensive. I think the fractional readouts would be fun but they read out in 1/64's most of the time. So if you get 39/64" as a readout, how big is that? I have no idea. If your digital caliper reads .609. (the dot at the end is .0005), at least you know that is 5/8" bare. What I need a set of digital calipers that rounds to the nearest 1/8"!!

   Adam

   
   

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   Edited 3/26/2009 7:06 pm ET by AdamCherubini

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 27, 2009 08:43pm | #13

   Adam,I will enthusiastically second everything you said. Fractional digital sounds like such a good idea until you use them. Mine always read in 128ths!?!Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   philip_r | Mar 27, 2009 10:54pm | #14

   The fractional "non-digital" version is easy to read and takes out all of the guesswork.  IMHO.

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 28, 2009 04:10am | #15

   I agree.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   JerryPacMan | Mar 28, 2009 04:08pm | #16

   I agree also with Tbagn.  I have 4 calipers and as much as I do not like to deal with fractions, I prefer decimal or millimeters, I use the fractional dial caliper when preparing wood stock.  I also suggest a 4" caliper as is fits in a coverall pocket nicely without falling out. 

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.

   When your ship comes in... make sure you are not at the airport.

   Edited 3/28/2009 9:09 am ET by JerryPacMan

8. 
   dude | Mar 27, 2009 11:59am | #11

   Ive got dial & digital , big letters on digital ones are helpful

   piked up a 2' vernier at estate sale for $20 last summer

   LeeValley has a nice selection & you get 3 months to decide if you like them , no hassel return policy

   as a x machinest i find working in thousands easy as hell using a wall chart for conversion as previously mentioned by others

   if you have to wear glasses a caliper is easier to read than a tape a lot of times

1. 
   BG | Mar 27, 2009 12:27pm | #12

   habilis,I like the dial but I'd opt for the digital just because you can switch to mm by hitting the button...it helps me understand people from France ;)

9. 
   bones | Mar 29, 2009 05:28pm | #17

   I bought the cheap set from woodcraft years ago and they have been fine.  I also got a dial caliper as part of a set in a kit from grizzly for checking my table saw.  Very cost effective.  Matter of fact I went to use my digital one yesterday and it had been a long time and the hearing aid battery was dead.  Happen to remember the other set and the dial was great to have. 

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/Magnetic-Base-Dial-Indicator-Caliper-Combo-pk-/H3022

   http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=147071&FamilyID=5812

    

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
1. 
   habilis | Mar 29, 2009 06:50pm | #18

   Thanks to all. Ordered a dial a couple of days ago. Grizzly set looks good. Used to be w/in 1/16th was good. Now I'm going to be looking at thousandths. Ain't going to drive myself crazy with this Probably still trust my eye and touch in the end. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Spring is Here!