How to Use and Read a Digital Caliper

[@NightsBySatire]

Simple, concise, and very well polished. I've been doing some work with precision 3D printing, and your video cleared up a few things about using my digital calipers. Thank you so much!

[@MattsMetalworking]

Awesome to hear, happy I could help and thank you!

[@raheimmundle3576]

Thank you for this video it's veryinformative I am a young engineer in Jamaica starting out and learning my way in the system thank you for sharing this video

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!

[@skimaskmayski4434]

Saving my life with this video im gettin promotion and this really helps bro keep up good work 🙏🏾

[@andefrayser]

Thank you this was very helpful. I could not understand how to use the step measurement based on the information provided by the manufacturer, but your video made it as clear as a bell.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Happy to help and thank you for the feedback :)

[@skikat2726]

A very useful and well-done presentation. I liked the use of color to identify the various parts of the caliper.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words :)

[@MontyBird45]

Clear, thorouugh and concise. Thanks for posting.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you!

[@hikerrobot]

I've been using only the jaws of the caliper so far. Learnt about the depth probe, lock and thumb guide. Very helpful, thank you.

[@thrivealist9458]

I don’t know why I’m watching this but ya got everything correct and explained well.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you!

[@jmgriffin2]

Only reason for me is my daughter is going to work in the industry. Lol don't over complicate what isn't complicated.

[@MrMikeChain]

Concise and with brevity. Well done. Learned alot. Thank you!

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you so much!

[@adirondackjim5678]

thanks for helping me clarify and understand how this works.

[@rouxso5124]

easy to understand instructions very well presented

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you :)

[@Mark01962]

Thanks Matt. You explained the device quickly and thoroughly Bought to make the oars for a viking boat from supplied wood. I had no idea you could do as much as you could from such a simple device. Now I know.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Happy I could help and thank you so much for the feedback!

[@aamershaikh6409]

Wonderful explanation. Wonderful color coding to define. Thank you so much and God bless.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Glad it was helpful and thank you so much for the kind words!

[@edwinleach4013]

Thanks for the video. I always wondered if you measure at the tips or the middle or back. You answered the question precisely.

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, always happy to help :)

[@ziggyz2958]

Detailed and informative. Thanks!

[@MattsMetalworking]

You're welcome and thank you for the feedback!

[@charliemuedano6139]

This was a easy to understand.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Excellent to hear, thank you for the feedback!

[@chuckstewart4833]

Great video, Great Instruction.. Thank you very much! I am going yo use your video for my intro to 3d printing class (high school students).

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you so much for the kind words and happy to help :)

[@albinthomas7695]

Thanks for this useful video. Definitely helped understand using the step for measurements and the lock as well!

[@MattsMetalworking]

Great to hear!

[@kylejohnson1308]

I've worked in machine shops for many years. I always use the wider part of the lower jaws when it's possible to use the wider part. I was taught and later observed that you get a more accurate reading of the true size that way. The thinner lower part of the lower jaws is for when measuring something like a thin slot that the wider part can't get into. You seem to use the thinner part of the lower jaws to read the size when you could of used the wider part.

[@Kyle_da_athlete]

Thanks alot. Needed this tutorial to prepare for a mechanics lab

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!

[@sowitsky]

Thank you for this well defined video. Really gained some new knowledge here.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you so much for the kind words and feedback :)

[@plarmium8723]

Thank you. Very well done

[@MattsMetalworking]

Glad it was helpful and thank you!

[@xlynx9]

Thank you. I didn't know about the step and probe features.

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!

[@mel04083]

Great explanation thanks!

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem and thank you!

[@jenblob1065]

Many tks for this, concisely given!

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!

[@jimchallender4616]

Thanks - great help!

[@MattsMetalworking]

You're welcome!

[@cecylemus912]

was very helpfull info thanks

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you!

[@geraldmethven8478]

great video thanks

[@MattsMetalworking]

You are welcome!

[@chuckp1832]

I have trouble getting repeatable measurements. It seems to depend on how tightly the caliper is squeezed against the part. Is this a feel thing? Slight drag on the part is kind of a vague determination when less than .0001" is involved. What is the best way to ensure accurate measurements? Practice on a standard?

[@SarahS-ke5ld]

I'm having the same problem

[@rubinsteinway]

Could you do a vid measuring a dial or coin? I'm having difficulty with this. Thanks.

[@patrickhoyle8357]

Great video thanks. What are the intentional gaps for at the top of both jaws? adjacent to the bar

[@a1anorth]

Great question… still no answer?

[@74Voyeur]

From someone who's never used a caliper before, thanks very much for this informative video! Can a digital caliper be used to find the thickness of a piece of paper, like cardstock?

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you so much :) And yes you can.

[@JonnyNi9z]

I am having trouble with reading the blueprint and what part I need to measure with on the caliper.. Any advice?

[@curiousassortment]

I am very interested in calipers and how to get accurate measurement of watch crystals. Experts recommend taking a few measurements to be sure. But if the arms of the caliper can only measure the diameter, then why aren't all the measurements exactly the same? (This question is because I am having difficulty with using the calipers.) Thanks!

[@senslm]

Thank you sir

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!

[@juliusvalentinas]

How does the fine adjustment wheel work? Where are the contact surfaces? Does it use bottom surface for friction or not? Does the wheel rotate by itself when jaw moves?

[@MattsMetalworking]

The fine adjustment wheel just works on friction, there's no direct mechanism or gear. The wheel just sits freely if you were to make movements from the jaws.

[@Ddddddddddd381]

what about the drawer above the battery drawer? looks like a usb connector of some sort

[@jashimuddin7716]

Thank you

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, always happy to help!

[@kennyroberts4964]

Matt, is it possible to use a few second clip of this video in a presentation. I'm using this to compare and explain upgrades to my career toolbox with my personal toolbox.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Hi Kenny, I do not allow my videos to be downloaded and re-hosted.

[@Ana_crusis]

with the step measurement at 3:02 you say close the jaws but they look open to me, I'm slightly confused

[@jeremynewman8029]

Hello Matt. Excellent video! Would you mind if I used it for training?

[@pasqualeparente9776]

Do these callipers ever need lubricant? Example the thumb wheel not smooth for delicate adjustments.

[@MattsMetalworking]

Typically no. Some oils can cause components to attract dirt or gum up. For cleaning, use isopropyl alcohol but nothing harsher as you can damage the plastic parts. If oil is a must, use something like weight like a silicone lube or gun oil. Do not use WD40 as it'll cause the parts to gum up.

[@hiepnguyen220]

Thank you very much for the review but I just wonder any caliber can record the measurement then transfer to laptop or wireless

[@MattsMetalworking]

Thank you. Not all digital calipers can record, it's based on the model.

[@lisasisk3713]

You have a very nice voice. You should read books on the side. Thank You! Very useful information.

[@ipad212]

hello sorry if it. a daft questions but. how do the. callipers no if you are use the inside or the out side edge the top of the callipers the reading.

[@MattsMetalworking]

All those measuring types have the exact same distance, they all work together in one movement.

[@levishcreation9470]

Sir i am searching for a 300 mm degital vernier caliper under 10k can you please suggest me the best and a web from which i can purchase .......

[@Boxcarphilly]

I was hoping you'd show the viewer how to convert the digital inches into fractions. e.g. If I'm measuring a nut to see what size wrench I need, and let's say the nut is ⅝ size, I use the verniers to measure it but it won't show as a fraction, only a decimal. The decimal readout in inches does me no good.

[@MattsMetalworking]

It's best to have a chart for that or you can use a drill index.

[@aamirkhan1846]

thank u

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, always happy to help :)

[@Brian-mc4pd]

at around 3:00 min, you call it "five hundred seventy five thousandths and five tenths of an inch" - If that number were written on paper (not a blueprint necessarily, but say on a math test), it would be read five thousand seven hundred and fifty-five ten thousandths, as that second subscript "5" is in the ten thousandths place. Is it just for ease to say it your way - I know that is how everybody does it, but I was always curious because I can say it both ways at about the same speed. I believe when you get to the millionths place, there is another kind of slang or unofficial way of saying it, right? Great vid and thanks.

[@MattsMetalworking]

I believe it's just a trade type thing, so I guess a form of slang. It's the way I've been taught and I know it was confusing at first trying to avoid what I was used to. I'm not even sure what it would be at the millionths, I've never worked past ten thousandths so unfortunately I can't be any help there. Thank you :)

[@Brian-mc4pd]

@@MattsMetalworking this vid - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4KchYWXeJ6MpKM. says just what you were saying. I'm only asking because I taught junior high math and never explained it that way. Just read the number as you normally would, and stick a tenth, hundredth, thousandth, etc on the end. But this makes sense in the real world. To explain it both ways would really screw them up as they look at me cross-eyed when I ask them to tell me what 3 x 2 is. thanks again

[@raccoon6072]

Make your live easy and switch to metric.

[@donbates3]

hell yeah

[@chipmaster7738]

All measurment taken in this video would be way off if someone else more experienced would take them measurments

[@shanetravis2550]

Need to tell u something they dont cost that much and changing a batter less then a minit

[@MattsMetalworking]

That is true, however in the machinist field a dial caliper is the best option. Less components to fail, more reliable, and you can easily view the movement.

[@youraveragejoe2]

Digital is the way to go .

[@gammatnt]

thank you

[@racheltice7298]

Thank u

[@MattsMetalworking]

No problem, happy I could help!