Cheap-Ass Tools: Plastic Vernier Calipers
By Nate Bezanson
Sometimes convenience trumps micron-level precision, and for those times plastic vernier calipers rule. Their shape makes measuring inside, outside, and depth dimensions simple — much easier than with a standard tape measure and about as accurate — but I’m loathe to carry my quality dial calipers where they might get damaged, lost, or stolen. That’s why I keep a set of cheap-ass plastic vernier capliers in every toolbox.
We found a few sets from a place called “Widget Supply” (and from Amazon) for around $2 each — cheap enough to dunk underwater to measure a broken pipe fitting or to throw in the truck glovebox “just in case.” Compare that $2 to a minimum of $20 for even a crappy set of “accurate” calipers, and you see our point.
How to read a Vernier caliper [Maryland Metric]
Plastic Vernier Calipers [Widget Supply]
Lots of Sources [Google]
Via Amazon
April 25th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Verniers are OK, but I sure like dials better. Digital are cool too, but I still don’t think they beat a dial caliper. I wouldn’t put my dial (or digital) underwater though. Just so folks know, here’s a website with a Java applet that shows how to read a vernier scale.
http://members.shaw.ca/ron.blond/Vern.APPLET/index.html
April 25th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
And here’s a better one:
http://www.upscale.utoronto.ca/PVB/Harrison/Vernier/Vernier.html
April 25th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I’ve always used cheap stainless steel calipers, available for about $8 from Enco. They’re pretty accurate, far better than plastic, but tough and cheap enough to use as a scribe.
Be sure to get the ones that will lock at one measurement with a thumbscrew.
April 25th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I’ve had bad experiences with clones of these before, but to be fair - a $2 caliper will suit many purposes. I wouldn’t use these in high accuracy applications, but they could be good to have around.
Widget Supply also has a steel one for $13, a digital for $20, and a dial one for $25.
Eh, if I was going to spend $25, I’d opt for an “economic caliper” from McMaster Carr’s selection.
If anyone gets these, make sure not to bend the sliding metal rod. Even if you don’t see a visible bend, any slight deviation in its trueness will make the calipers a major pain to use.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Randy, thanks for the ‘how to read’ sites. I’ve never really used venier calipers before. Never really thought about it before, but that was well explained.
April 26th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Yeah I got one of these from the local Canadian tire for a buck a while back, they definitely have many uses, after all its a real pain to measure round stuff with a ruler.
April 26th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Just a heads up.
Harbor Freight has 2 cheap-o calipers in their coupons this week. $6 for the digital, $1 for the plastic
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/html/usa_cpnsave.html
April 29th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
We used these in high school.
Hey if it works, it works. Cheaper is better.
July 7th, 2007 at 11:57 am
These cheap little calipers are handy for use on wood measurements -not terribly accurate, but really tight as far as wood is concerned.