Caliper or micrometer
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I prefer the mics for measuring patches and round ball. have one that is 1 inch max, works for me. I also have 2 pair of calipers, dial reading type. these work good also. I favor the mics as they have a slip clutch affair which allows me to apply the exact same force repeatedly when measuring patches. I cut my own round ones andhave a stock of material tochoose from,so I measure alot of stuff!
harborfreight tools (.com)should be able to fix you up pretty conservitively!
harborfreight tools (.com)should be able to fix you up pretty conservitively!
paulvallandigham
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A micrometer is a tool that has a arc designed for a specific maximum distance between its two points. Attached to this ' stirrup" is a barrel the turns on screw threads, with a measurement marked on the barrel so that you can read the distance between the end stop and the movable arm in thousandths, and in some models in 10 thousandths of an inch. The most common micrometer measure up to one inch in diameter, but there are more expensive mikes that can measure much longer diameters.
A caliper looks like an old fasioned slide ruler, or C-clamp, and has a fixed and moveable jaw, the second riding on a track cut into the length of the measurement arm. Calipers can typically be used to measure up to 6 inches in length, using a dial, or a digital computer to show the measurements in thousandths of an inch. You can read between the lines to get approx. 10 thousandths readings, but most dial calipers stop at .001". The digitals now being produced can measure even finer. The nice thing about the caliber is that it can measure both inside and outside dimensions, as the back side of the " jaws " are designed for taking inside measurements. There is a limit on how small an inside diameter can be measured with these jaws, simply because they have a given size that cannot be ignored, but when you get down small enough, other gauges are used to measure the smaller diameters.( under 1/4 " gets iffy.)
A caliper looks like an old fasioned slide ruler, or C-clamp, and has a fixed and moveable jaw, the second riding on a track cut into the length of the measurement arm. Calipers can typically be used to measure up to 6 inches in length, using a dial, or a digital computer to show the measurements in thousandths of an inch. You can read between the lines to get approx. 10 thousandths readings, but most dial calipers stop at .001". The digitals now being produced can measure even finer. The nice thing about the caliber is that it can measure both inside and outside dimensions, as the back side of the " jaws " are designed for taking inside measurements. There is a limit on how small an inside diameter can be measured with these jaws, simply because they have a given size that cannot be ignored, but when you get down small enough, other gauges are used to measure the smaller diameters.( under 1/4 " gets iffy.)
Go with Harbor Freight's electronic micrometer or caliper, or Von Braum. They measure in & mm. On sale they are cheap and can be used for many kinds of measuring. Go with 6", measure inside, outside, and dept. Measure in inches, push button and converts to mm.
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I bought a Chinese (Kingcraft, possibly same maker as Harbor Freight) electronic caliper and it was a TERRIBLE waste of money. The electronics failed, possibly due to battery problems. I may have a tool sit for 12 months without use. Never again, I will get a vernier caliper to replace it. They do inch and metric on the same unit too.
However, the electronic has some features better than a micrometer - eg 6" range, can zero to any position to measure deviations, and is fast to use. The digital readout fluctuates in the fourth digit so a micrometer is needed past about 0.001" precision.
However, the electronic has some features better than a micrometer - eg 6" range, can zero to any position to measure deviations, and is fast to use. The digital readout fluctuates in the fourth digit so a micrometer is needed past about 0.001" precision.
paulvallandigham
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Bilik: I use a vernier caliper because I was trained to use one many years ago, before they made the digital. I also have vernier calipers that only measure in inches, and not MM. Buy what you want. Both can be used to measure patching material and RB. With material, its difficult to get accurate readings.
I have a new micrometer with the rachet stop, but I have used it as well as an older model, and can't find where the new one really offers me much help on something soft like fabric. Since fabric has to be washed to remove the sizing the companies put in it for marketing, and then dried, the dimension will, and should be expected to change a bit as a result of washing and drying. We are talking less than a .001" in change, however, so don't pull out any hairs. :surrender: Usually the fabric tightens up and gets thicker, BTW.
Round balls, even those that are swaged at the factory, rarely are truly round. The dimensions will change depending on what part of the ball you are measuring by a few 10 thousandths on the low end to more than a thousandth of an inch on the high end. For best accuracy you want to sort the balls to separate out the extremes. The rest can be used for informal plinking, or shooting off-hand, where you can't take advantage of all that added consistency anyway. Sorting is done for bench rest shooting, where the name of the game is tiny groups in the 10-X ring. If that is not your bag, don't spend a lot of time measuring and sorting balls, swaged, or cast.
I have a new micrometer with the rachet stop, but I have used it as well as an older model, and can't find where the new one really offers me much help on something soft like fabric. Since fabric has to be washed to remove the sizing the companies put in it for marketing, and then dried, the dimension will, and should be expected to change a bit as a result of washing and drying. We are talking less than a .001" in change, however, so don't pull out any hairs. :surrender: Usually the fabric tightens up and gets thicker, BTW.
Round balls, even those that are swaged at the factory, rarely are truly round. The dimensions will change depending on what part of the ball you are measuring by a few 10 thousandths on the low end to more than a thousandth of an inch on the high end. For best accuracy you want to sort the balls to separate out the extremes. The rest can be used for informal plinking, or shooting off-hand, where you can't take advantage of all that added consistency anyway. Sorting is done for bench rest shooting, where the name of the game is tiny groups in the 10-X ring. If that is not your bag, don't spend a lot of time measuring and sorting balls, swaged, or cast.
J&L has some Fowler MICS and digital calipers in this months sale flyer. (Im not affiliated with them in any way shape or form, I just buy alot of stuff off them)
The Mic is PN AGFOM-24001A (half price for $35)
The Calipers (digital) 6" is AGFOC-10000C just over half price for $54
Both pieces are going to do just fine for you and will be much better than anything you will pick up at HF.
The Mic is PN AGFOM-24001A (half price for $35)
The Calipers (digital) 6" is AGFOC-10000C just over half price for $54
Both pieces are going to do just fine for you and will be much better than anything you will pick up at HF.
I have both calipers & micrometer ... my calipers come in digital(mm or inches), dial, and mechanical form as well .. I use them all at random ... whatever is conveniently at hand at the time. I have no reason to make life anymore difficult than it is .. I use'm all! :hatsoff:
Davy
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I have both. A digital or dial caliper is faster and easier, but when accuracy is important, only a micrometer will do.
cheatherly
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All I can say is, it is a lot easier to carry a micrometer in your pocket, than a vernier caliper. Like when looking through the fabric at Wal Mart.
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I like the Micro for the same reasons that Brett posted. The slip clutch makes sure you get the accurate reading without varying compression of the material. :thumbsup:
mike alexandre
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Just what I was going to write. :thumbsup:
spottedpony
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I use both, but in all fairness, the digital caliper see's the most use. and its much easier to learn to use properly.
Personally, i prefer not to carry my expensive micrometer around, and ive found, for patch purposes, the caliper accurate enough for my needs.
for the price difference between a good caliper and mic, unless you need the ten thousandth of an inch capability, same some $$ and buy a few cans of powder or something. I bet your rifle wont care if a patch measures .018 or .0185. :v
Personally, i prefer not to carry my expensive micrometer around, and ive found, for patch purposes, the caliper accurate enough for my needs.
for the price difference between a good caliper and mic, unless you need the ten thousandth of an inch capability, same some $$ and buy a few cans of powder or something. I bet your rifle wont care if a patch measures .018 or .0185. :v
paulvallandigham
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:thumbsup: :hatsoff:
cheatherly
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Teusday I saw a 1 foot vernier caliper, what shocked me more than it's size; was that MADE IN U.S.A. was stamped across the scale. You don't see that much anymore.
