When is 1/16th of an inch not 1/16th?

do what you’re more comfortable reading and calculating your work with.

and don’t forget – we work with wood, and wood moves. so even if you cut a part with a machinist dial caliper to within 0.001” accuracy – that part can shrink/expand tomorrow.

I think too many people are getting a bit too obsessive about measurements in woodworking.

even a M&T joint can’t be too perfect and tight – or it won’t take the glue, or wont close properly. you can only go so accurate, sometimes you just have to breath and work WITH the wood.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I use English digits. A good friend makes a strong case for doing all measuring in metric. It wouldtake some adjustment .

-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.

Dalec

I agree with PurpLev. I did the same thing you’re doing when I first got mine, and found the difference wasn’t enough to fret over. The caliper has helped me be more accurate, but I don’t worry about the tiny difference. 1/16=1/16 and I just leave it at that.

-- Tim, trying to come up with something cool to say here!

I use dial calipers (digital works fine as well) for everything I do. I was trained as a tool and die maker so it was a natural transition to use it in woodworking.

In tool and die work you work within 0.0005 (and sometimes less) but for woodworking it doesn’t need to be as accurate. When I cut on the table saw for example I like to be within .010. I realize that the wood may move later but if I am off less up front the movement should be less noticeable later (at least in my simple mind).

Great tool, but don’t try to get tooooooooo close of a tolerance.

-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

Thanks PurpLev, Rob and Tim.

I guess it gets down to getting the tight fitting joints with precision that is good enough to get that result. I hope that comes with experience.

Dalec

Innovator,

Thanks for you perspective on this topic. It is reassuring to hear what others have have learned and know.

Dalec

I’ve got these things all over the shop. They are a plastic caliper that I get from harbor freight. I pay $1.99 for them and they are great.

You can measure up to 1/128 th of an inch with them. They are so handy. I’ve got them on my workbench, saw, jointer and probably the floor.

I also keep about 3 in a drawer for when I can’t find one of the others.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Karson,

I have not been real active on LJ as of late. Good to hear from you.

If I move around at all while in working in the shop, small items can be left just about anywhere. So with enough of them, I will eventually stumble across one of them, reasonably close to the moment I need it.

Dalec

karson, thats the same caliper i use as well. i would like to get a fancy digital model some day though

Karson, I’ve been thinking about that type of caliper since my digital one from the local WW store is finicky (loses it’s zeroing while using it, and battery doesnt last long).

lee valley sells a pack of 6 for $8.50 and they also have a more precise metal version for ~20 I think I’m gonna go with those, as I just can’t rely on the digital one I have anymore.

I think that’s as precise as I need to get. Thanks for the link!

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Karson,

You are right, as long as the calipers are identical, I should get the same results which is close enough for woodworking purposes. HF plastic ones are certainly the right price and no batteries needed.

Dalec

I get the email coupons from HF. Bought 5 of those for .99 a couple weeks ago.

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

Betcha that NONE of the fine neander furniture makers used digital anything. Dividers, scribes, folding rules, and talent created the classic pieces we all enjoy. I’m with PurpLev. These folks who measure to the closest 10/1000 are obsessive, and could never build a house (they’d never finish measuring).
Bill (who’s TS top is as flat as I can tell)