I want to measure the width of a groove which is only about 3.5mm wide and 1-3 mm deep. Ordinary Mitutoyo calipers with pointed tips are not much good for this application due to the shallow nature of the groove.
Any suggestions ?
use the groove as a female mould for something that won't stick to it, and measure what you pull out?
Or use feeler gauge plus a bit of something to decide how wide it is and measure what you pull out again.
Plasticine, or similar, then gently measure the outside width with your calipers. Alternatively, plane a piece of wood until it's a good fit and measure that.
Or file a bit of aluminium strip so that it just fits the groove, and then measure that with digital calipers.
Or find a drill bit whose shank just fits, and measure that.
If the profile of the groove is rectangular (or near enough) the technique I was taught was to measure with, and express the result in units of, strips torn from Players No 6 packs :)
A set of 'number' drill bits it useful for this sort of thing. Depending on just how accurate you need the measurement to be.
SNAP! I have a box of numbered drills bought very cheaply many years ago off a market stall kept just for this. You need to be careful when measuring if the larger sizes have a number stamped into them near the end of the shank as the edges are raised slightly.
Alan
Use a measuring magnifier such as
i like the sound of that.
Will investigat further
Many thanks
Yes that sound possible If I can get a cheap set of metric ones I\ll give it a try
You haven't said if you want to measure the depth or the width of the groove or both.
Most calipers have depth gauges
Yup sure sounds good to me.
Spend ?68 on a magnifier
As against gradually reducing a fillet of softwood using a plane and/or sandpaper until it can be inserted into the slot and measuring the outside of the fillet with the Mitutoyo* calipers.
michael adams
*It goes without saying of course that Mitutyo calipers are a top of the range item with prices to match.Its just a pity that the same can't be said for whatever can be found between the OP's ears.
Are there metric ones?
Also check out "travelling microscope"
(and no, its not a small one designed for hand luggage!)
I picked up a second hand one on eBay for much less than that (but in truth it has not had much use).
That said, I'd probably go for a drill bit plus feeler gauges.
e and 1-3 mm
is application
ween the OP's
Suffering shit. Faff around with little bits of softwood, which will likely deform with the use of calipers, in an attempt to judge the width of a slo t 1-2 mm deep and 2-3mm wide with accuracy ?
No thanks. I have better things to do with my time. This is an operation I have to carry out once a week and trial and error is exactly what I am tryi mg to avoid.
Incidentally Mitutoyo calipers are NOT the most expensive but I.M.E. are th e best value for money for their accuracy, build quality and long battery l ife.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He said he wanted to measure the width. (If he wants the depth as well, maybe he's already used the depth gauge on his calipers and not had a problem.)
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.