micrometer

cbaumann212

cbaumann212

Jackass Extraordinaire
Silver Member
What is normally used to measure shafts? Isn't it called a micrometer? Where can I get one? How much are they?

Thanks in advance for any output.
 
If you are only working with wood, I'd suggest a plastic dial caliper (but they don't last forever, so check them often)

If working with metal and wood, get a metal dial caliper.

You are better off with a name brand non-digital one, than a digital one made in a country you can't find on a map.

Either way, when you work with wood with a metal caliper, I suggest putting a strip of masking tape on each jaw, and re-zeroing them that way. It prevents scratching, because a quality caliper (I recommend Mitutoyo brand as best bang for the buck) will have precision ground jaws that will dig into wood or a cue finish VERY easily...
 
Cue Guru said:
If you are only working with wood, I'd suggest a plastic dial caliper (but they don't last forever, so check them often)

If working with metal and wood, get a metal dial caliper.

You are better off with a name brand non-digital one, than a digital one made in a country you can't find on a map.

Either way, when you work with wood with a metal caliper, I suggest putting a strip of masking tape on each jaw, and re-zeroing them that way. It prevents scratching, because a quality caliper (I recommend Mitutoyo brand as best bang for the buck) will have precision ground jaws that will dig into wood or a cue finish VERY easily...
Click to expand...

i got a set of digital calipers that're pretty good. i'd go digital if you're gonna buy a set
 
cbaumann212 said:
What is normally used to measure shafts? Isn't it called a micrometer? Where can I get one? How much are they?

Thanks in advance for any output.
Click to expand...

They are called Calipers normally, and eBay has many sellers selling them. There are two type Mechanical and Digital read out, the Digital style will give you readings in Millimeters, and most Mechanical will read in Thousands.

Hope this helps
 
You can easily get metric dial calipers, but I agree that the digital ones with dual units is the most convenient.

After a bit of time, you know that there are exactly 25.400 mm/inch and that 13mm is .512, so it really is up to your budget and commitment level.

If you see yourself making cues in 10 years, I think a set of digital calipers is an excellent investment in your future of accurate work.

If you are just getting your feet wet, I suggest a QUALITY dial caliper, in inch units (because the majority of your measurements are in inches) and spend a few minutes making up a conversion chart like this to refer to:

10mm = .394 inch
10.5mm = .413inch
11mm = .433inch

etc.

After a while, you will have the common sizes memorized, but it is always a handy reference...:thumbup:
 
Cue Guru said:
You can easily get metric dial calipers, but I agree that the digital ones with dual units is the most convenient.

After a bit of time, you know that there are exactly 25.400 mm/inch and that 13mm is .512, so it really is up to your budget and commitment level.

If you see yourself making cues in 10 years, I think a set of digital calipers is an excellent investment in your future of accurate work.

If you are just getting your feet wet, I suggest a QUALITY dial caliper, in inch units (because the majority of your measurements are in inches) and spend a few minutes making up a conversion chart like this to refer to:

10mm = .394 inch
10.5mm = .413inch
11mm = .433inch

etc.

After a while, you will have the common sizes memorized, but it is always a handy reference...:thumbup:
Click to expand...
i got my digital calipers at rocklers
there's a button that switches from inches to millimeters to fractions
$24
to build cues, you need about 10 sets of calipers,
because you (meaning me) cant ever find them when you need them :eek:
 
It all depends on the precision you are wanting to achieve.
If I am wanting to measure something better than .03 mm I use a micrometer.
If it is only an approx dimension to .05 mm or so I use a Caliper.
I just bought a Caliper from Harbour Freight, $15 for a 4 inch model.
For the most things it works great.
I have both metric and inch micrometer sets to 150 mm and 6 inches.
My dial and digital Calipers have all in the past been Mitutoyo but are 8 inch long.Still like new when you are careful with them.
You never regret buying quality measuring tools.
If you can't measure it, how do you know if it is right.
Neil
 
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I've never built a cue, but I do have quite a few measuring tools, including calipers, micrometers (inside and ouside), and the device pictured here. This thing is great for getting quick measurements of shafts for checking tapers. You just push the lever down with your thumb to raise the moveable anvil, then lower it at the next location to take a reading. The dial is two inches in diameter and one sweep is one millimeter. One sweep of the small indicator is one centimeter. The max is two centimeters, so it's no good for measuring butts or the butt end of the shaft. You are far less likely to damage a shaft with this than with a conventional caliper or mic. You can also put tape on the anvils and reset the zero. I've had this one for at least thirty years, but I assume they are still available.

p52700072.jpg
 
"Snap Gauge." Yeah, that's it. I couldn't remember what it was called. I bought it for setting the valve lash on Jaguars. Real time saver.
 
Isn't a setting master just a calibration block? Any decent mic comes with a calibration block (except for those that min at zero, of course).
 
junkbond said:
Isn't a setting master just a calibration block? Any decent mic comes with a calibration block (except for those that min at zero, of course).
Click to expand...


A setting master is different to a calibration block. The calibration block is used to set zero for micrometers over 1 inch or 25 mm.
A setting master is used with indicator mics, as really, they are comparators with +- .001 inches from the zero set point.
We use them for sizing our pistons to .00005 inches. We have setting masters for each nominal size that we use.It is all measured in a temperature controlled environment

Neil
 
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