Calipers are a vital tool for various industries, including metalwork, forestry, mechanical engineering, and woodworking. At Waveroom Plus, we know how important it is to have a variety of measuring tools on hand. As they say, measure twice, cut once - right? Read on to learn why calipers deserve a spot on your toolbelt if they’re not already.
The
History
The
first caliper was found on a Greek shipwreck that dates back to 6th century
B.C. The piece was made of wood and had a set of jaws - one was fixed, and one
was movable. More sophisticated tools were found to be used dating back to 9
A.D. in the Chinese Xu dynasty. These models measured down to 1/10 of an inch.
That’s pretty good for over 2,000 years ago! The modern caliper was crafted in
America in 1851 by Joseph Brown - it was the first of its kind that was
affordable enough to be purchased by everyday workers.
Uses
& Types
At
Waveroom Plus, we have a variety of calipers and measuring tools for you to
choose from. We have digital, dial, and an ESD safe models, so you can feel
confident knowing your tool is accurate, precise, and safe. Dial and digital
models allow you to adjust the caliper legs as tightly as you need simply, and
the dial or digital screen will read the measurement down to a hundredth of an
inch.
Words
of Caution
When
measuring objects of irregular shapes, you need to be careful to hold the
object correctly to get the right measurement. For example, when measuring the
thickness of a coin, you need to keep the caliper at a right angle to get the
appropriate number. It’s best to measure things a few times, and adjust your
positioning and make sure it’s right. Additionally, the object must be in
contact with the tool to work correctly. That’s why we offer an ESD model - so
you don’t have to worry about potentially dangerous static electricity being
transferred.
Regardless
of what you’re measuring, the accuracy of a caliper is highly dependent on the
person, not so much the tool. Make sure to educate yourself on proper measuring
techniques and measure multiple times. For more information about our
inventory, call (603) 437-4651 to speak with one of our experts.
