Vernier scales are AMAZING tools!

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[@StumpyNubs]

▼ *IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT VIDEO:* ▼ - Good caliper with a vernier scale: amzn.to/485UlPS ★THIS VIDEO WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY★ M-Power's really innovative jig system can transform your router! : www.m-powertools.com/ *My Table Saw and Bandsaw are AWSOME! Check them out at Harvey Woodworking Machinery:* www.harveywoodworking.com/ *My hand tool collection includes premium tools from Bridge City Tool Works:* bridgecitytools.com/ *Please help support us by using the link above for a quick look around!* (If you use one of these affiliate links, we may receive a small commission) *Some other useful links:* -Check out our project plans: stumpynubs.com/product-category/plans/ -Instagram: instagram.com/stumpynubs/ -Twitter: twitter.com/StumpyNubs ★SOME OF MY FAVORITE INEXPENSIVE TOOLS★ - #ISOtunes Hearing Protection (Save 10%): bit.ly/3BHYdH7 -123 Blocks: lddy.no/vpij -Mechanical Pencils: amzn.to/2PA7bwK -Lumber pencil: amzn.to/2QtwZjv -Pocket Measuring Tape: amzn.to/2kNTlI9 -Nut/Bolt/Screw Gauge: amzn.to/2CuvxSK -Self-Centering Bits: amzn.to/2xs71UW -Steel Ruler: lddy.no/10mv7 -Center-Finding Ruler: lddy.no/10nak -Bit & Blade Cleaner: amzn.to/2TfvEOI -Narex Chisels: lddy.no/sqm3 -Mini Pull Saw: amzn.to/2UEHBz6 -Shinwa Rulers: lddy.no/zl13 -BOW Featherboards: amzn.to/430ldhv (If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)

[@DavesCave]

I made a comment else where about the 21.52 looking more like 21.25 on the main scale. If you happen to weigh in that would be great. Some have suggested maybe the camera angle?

[@603storm]

As a former jet engine mechanic I used these almost every day. Pro tip, when determining which two lines match up and it gets blurry, look away momentarily then look back at the scale. It also helps to tip the scale away from you ever so slightly.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

The tipping part works great, and even side to side a bit as an overlap will stand out better. I did notice that he didn't actually pick the closest to perfect alignment, but possibly the first in every series of three that look near right on: It's when you pick the one you can best negotiate to the tolerances you need to meet, and a magnifying glass helps too! Even with good eyes, looking at one often can fatigue the eyes and have your brain play tricks on you. It's also a bit overkill in woodworking to need thousands or even tens of thousands, as all it takes is a slight temperature or moisture change and you gain or lose a few thousands, and the larger the piece the more deviation. Jet engines are a different story though.

[@trackie1957]

Back in 1982 a machinist gave me, a wet behind the ears engineer, his old Etalon Swiss 6” vernier caliper. At the time, had no idea how he could part with it, all these years later, I now realize that, like me, he couldn’t see well enough anymore to use it! But this caliper will never need a battery, and I don’t have to worry about the dial getting broken. This tool taught me how to use vernier scales, too, such as the ones that let me read minutes and seconds of angle on my drafting machine. So, here’s a shout out to my dear friend, Al Moriggi , a fantastic machinist and craftsman, who took the time to teach me things that served me well throughout my engineering career. I’m forever grateful. Grazie.

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

I've got myself digital one using it from time to time, but after getting into situation when batteries are dead -- switched back into the oldschool. And if my sight get worse -- there's a middle ground: clockwork ones.

[@gregtaylor3432]

I like using my vernier caliper for woodworking though I seldom need to measure finer than 1/32. The main advantage to this tool in my opinion is not the fine measurement but the ability to measure in different "directions". You can measure diameters of holes/widths of slots (inside measurement), diameter of round pieces/thickness of materials (outside measurements) and depths of holes (blind measurement). This multifunctional usefulness in a single tool is more important (in my opinion/practice) than the ability to measure to 1/10000 of an inch. As a humorous story, I was visiting a shop teacher colleague in his wood shop when the machine shop teacher from next door approached with a piece of maple that the wood shop teacher had thickness planed to 1/2 inch. He had a vernier with him and was "complaining" that the wood was undersize by 4/1000 inch. The wood shop teacher took the wood, tossed int in the sink,ran water over it and told the machine shop teacher to come back in 15 minutes! (LOL)

[@delliott777]

I love using vernier calipers. Additionally, they are less prone to error than dial or digital. With dial, the rack gear can get dirt in it causing the needle to skip as it slides over. With digitals, the electronics can get contaminated and zero can be pressed accidentally, when not exactly closed. Vernier, in my opinion, is by far the most reliable and accurate caliper.

[@steadfasttherenowned2460]

For sure. The only time I go fine is when I make tool and knife handles. Then ill go to 64th. General woodworking for me, usually no more than 16th. Unless I'm doing critical joinery.

[@nailbanger2]

My main use for calipers, other than what you have stated, is the ability to compare stock sizes between 2 or more pieces during the milling process and certain joints. Half lap or M&T come to mind.

[@taitano12]

It sounds staged. If so, it's a good way to drive home several points in their respective classes. From wood stability to precision and compensation for variability, both classes can use it. Still funny though. 😄

[@LeverPhile]

Calipers (vernier or otherwise) arent even really accurate to 0.001" let alone 0.0001" ... need to use a micrometer if you really need that level of accuracy.

[@timh7156]

Thanks. I never realized that its precision goes beyond the space between the lines. This video is 2023 KZbin tip of the year!

[@mickhardiman]

The 21.52mm measurement in this video shows that for very precise measurements with a vernier it's important to ensure you're viewing the measurement point of the scale perfectly vertically or from as great a distance as possible to avoid/minimise parallax. At 5:29 it looks like the zero mark is much closer to 21mm than 22mm, and that the 0.54 or 0.56 marks align more closely, so I'm presuming the camera was very close to the calipers rather than zoomed in from a more distant point.

[@StumpyNubs]

It was a digitally created image used to explain a process.

[@John_NJDM]

I literally just found one of these at the flea market like two weeks ago. I got it and a bunch of other precision measuring tools, amongst other things, for ten bucks. The guy practically gave them to me. Great day at the flea market!

[@rickhand8228]

As a 70 year old guy who has used a vernier all my adult life I would like to say that you explained that better than most. if not everyone else I have seen demonstrate the use of a vernier! I don't use my vernier calipers much anymore but my height guage has a vernier so I do keep my skill current. Thanks for another great video!

[@paulkramer4176]

as a 76 year old woodworker, I might add that a slide rule is similar. I actually LIKE vernier scale calipers often better than digital calipers. I can see better what I'm close to. Most folks don't know how to use vernier scales, much less a slide rule. Ah well, new stuff is good too.

[@martinconnelly1473]

I tried digital calipers and gave up on them, I had trouble getting repeatable readings and you could never be sure on the cheaper ones that the zero point had not changed. My general tool for measuring is my 150mm/6" vernier caliper with the two part slide that uses a thumb wheel to move the main slide. I find it is as accurate as my micrometers.

[@BenjaminSearle]

🤯Nubs explaining things with dry humor is a new favorite past time of mine to listen to.

[@MrJdebest]

I started my first job in a machine shop in 1974, staffed by Germans and Englishmen. The old German guys had a heck of a time figuring out Imperial system. After explaining it a number of times, I realized how batshit crazy the Imperial system was compared to the Metric system.

[@DrWeird]

Born and raised in the US not knowing jack about Metric until the early 2000s and I started working in automation (automotive conveyor systems) for a company who's designs all came out of Italy and I quickly the benefits of Metric. When I moved onto a new career in HVAC I had my metric tape that I had bought for that automotive job with me and I do a lot of things in Metric but I never could get any of the senior techs I worked with as an apprentice to understand the benefits of Metric! It was imperial or bust for them, Metric was just too dumb :D

[@Skobeloff...]

I started my fitting and turning apprenticeship in 1991 (born in 1974), here in Australia. It was my first real introduction to the imperial system, not much fun and it also meant I needed to buy metric, AF, and Whitworth tools. Unfortunately we still suffer from the imperial system still having its ye olde claws stuck in the hardware and tool market, great for manufacturers and retailers, wasteful and annoying for the rest of us.

[@BakerGlare]

​@@Skobeloff...Mitre10 selling tapcon screws nedding an imperial sized pilot hole but only selling metric drill bits...

[@Skobeloff...]

@@BakerGlare Have had similar issues with Bunnings, with inserts and furniture legs, it's completely daft, everything should be metric here. America is such a consumerist powerhouse that the rest of the world still has/chooses to deal with ye olde cave measures.

[@MrJdebest]

@@DrWeird A friend of mine is a carpenter. He says that doing stairs using millimeters is the only way to go. For the rise and the run of the step , using fractions of an inch is not nearly as easy as the metric measurement.

[@AntonGudenus]

The main reason to add zeroes to measurements, when writing it down, is to show the level of precision you measured to, even if the measurement ends in one or multiple zeroes. 1 = 1+-0.5 1.0 = 1.0+-0.5 1.000 = 1.000 +- 0.0005

[@swcheshier61]

I am a toolmaker/machinist that enjoys woodworking also. I enjoyed your video very much. I used to teach a measuring instrument class at a place i used to work. I’m liking the comments of people using calipers for measuring other ways like diameters and depth. A helpful tip for anyone interested in getting calipers, might be to get dial calipers. They are fairly inexpensive and way quicker and easier to read with the same accuracy.

[@petercollin5670]

I used verniers all the time in college. Nowadays, all those narrow graduations and tiny numbers are the bane of my middle aged eyes!

[@martingerken7094]

Fun fact: in Germany we call it Nonius, named after the matematician who invented a rougher version before Mr. Venier

[@bernardoalves]

That mathematician was the Portuguese Pedro Nunes.

[@williammrdeza9445]

Great subject, Stumpy! My dad was a machinist and mechanical engineer and taught me how to read a vernier scale as a kid since that was the standard way of performing fine measurements back then (along with how to use a slide rule for mathematics). Your explanation was clear and spot on (at least to me!). Thank you for keeping the "old technology" alive!

[@gordonday9666]

I learned how to use a Vernier caliper in high school, so I was a bit surprised by your assertion that most woodworkers don't know how to use one. That said, the prior comments seem to support your view. You did a good job of explaining the "how to." It would have been interesting to hear you explain "why" it works (Wikipedia has a good article on the Vernier caliper). Beyond that, as an engineer and a metrologist (measurement scientist), I would have liked to hear you discuss the distinction between accuracy and precision. Accuracy is the deviation from the "true" (sometimes called "reference") value. Precision is the reproducibility of the measurement. (See Wikipedia article on "Accuracy and Precision"). With a Vernier caliper, the accuracy is usually determined by the zero point and the precision by the ability to identify the matching lines (good eyesight, etc.) Your instrument seems to have a zero adjust, which allows you to account for wear on the jaws, but also opens up the possibility of being misadjusted. Best advice for accurate readings is to first check the zero and then take several readings and average them. With a reasonably good instrument and good eyes, you should be able to measure to an uncertainty of 0.001 inch (if what you are measuring is that consistent).

[@trqw7607]

You explained verniers very well. One point might have been a bit overlooked: Not all verniers have the same increments. You always have to check the label of the particular vernier you are using. I have a lot of them with only 1/10th mm increments on the verniers. Thank you for your videos!

[@rajon25]

I just inherited a collection of woodworking tools owned by a wood model builder at an auto manufacturer that rivals the wall behind you that seemingly date back to the 1940s. There is a vernier scale caliper made of, I think, brass and I appreciate this timely reminder of how to read it. You are a gift to many of us but especially this DIY junkie engineer that likes to cosplay as a carpenter and/or woodworker.

[@boatman323]

Vernier scales are a beautifully elegant idea. Took me ages to work out why they work though!

[@TheBiggerNoise]

They’re brilliant. My dad taught me to use them when I was a boy, so I always took them somewhat for granted. A couple of years ago I had a “whoa” moment and realized just how clever they are. Also had the pleasure of teaching the technique to my son in law, which sort of started that train of thought rolling.

[@jonmccormick6805]

James, you made my day. I learned the vernier scale (which gives us a ten thousandth of an inch) on a one inch mic when I was twelve, thanks to dad being a machinist many years earlier. Christmas, about ten years after that, he gave me a vernier caliper similar to the one that yo8u have there. I use it every couple of days thirty years later.

[@frattman]

I work at Habitat for Humanity and have taught and led hundreds of groups of volunteers (almost all of them have no construction experience). Based on my experience, only about 15-25% of lay people even know how to read a regular tape measure. It kinda blows my mind that so few people know simple fractions down to a 1/16". A retired machinist has been volunteering for well over a decade now, and regularly talks in 'thou's being used to such accuracy. His mathematic mind is as sharp as ever :)

[@alangeorgebarstow]

Greetings, James, and Happy Christmas. I am a 72-year old Englishman now living in Sweden. I was brought up in the 1950s and 1960s using the imperial measures (and avoirdupois weights) system. When I started my engineering apprenticeship, in 1967, all the drawings were in either imperial or metric. Switching between the two became, very quickly, second nature and I have been comfortable with either system all my life. All my tapes, rules and assorted measuring devices have both systems. I used vernier calipers for a while in my teens and early 20s but haven't had any use for one of those excellent devices for some time now. Thanks for an extremely informative series of videos. I await each one and find I'm never too old to learn new things.

[@garyblackford8366]

As a young man, I worked in the field of land surveying. We were still using transits. This is the same way you read angles down to seconds of a degree.

[@kevola5739]

I use this tool to sort out drill bits into my small parts bin. I label the drawer in fractions, and thousandths for convenience. This helps to organize the drill bits from broken sets, installation kits, and bulk packs for frequently used sizes. Storing your drill driver bits in the same parts bin and keeping the bin close to your cordless drill/impact driver and screws makes changes simple. I find the dial gauge caliper to be a quicker reference for my old eyes. A digital caliper is also convenient if you do not mind dealing with on/off switches and changing batteries. Being able to measure the screw shank makes it simple to select the right drill bit size.

[@theprogenesis2000]

I use this tool a lot to check drill bits and dowels. Of course it's handy in various ways outside of getting a fine measurement. I wouldn't go without one.

[@242sp]

Wow! They finally cleaned up the Antikythera Mechanism, I knew there was something useful underneath all that crud!

[@mavision6525]

Very interesting measurement tool. Probably way more precise than I'd ever need in my small woodshop. I grew up on imperial but I've completely switched to metric.

[@interiot2]

I've used one to plane a board to a very precise width, so it could be installed at a client hours away from me. But normally I don't need that precision.

[@Skobeloff...]

Verniers are handy even if you are not using them for super fine measurement, they are great for easily measuring diameter, thickness, depth etc, drillbits and fasteners.

[@toysoldier46552]

I use mine all the time to get an accurate measurement of round things in my shop.

[@bandana_girl6507]

It's more precise than most people need with wood, period, due to various distortions that wood allows (both with humidity and pressure applied to it). You'd have to be using a really dense hardwood to get enough stability for it to matter. Well, that or some sort of densified material, but those are still really new and difficult to make and will only likely be for engineering purposes.

[@AnimalMotha]

The ability to easily measure inside diameters or the depth of blind holes comes in really handy oftentimes for me.

[@andrewj5998]

Excellent crystal clear explanation as always! My wife's grandfather was a machinist, and she inherited his tools. Neither of us know how to use his calipers, so this video helps a lot. Could you please do a video sometime on engineering / architectural scale rulers and other drafting tools?

[@peterk7931]

I have 2 of these that are 3ft long and made of plywood so we can hold them above our heads to each the entire class. They are prized possessions.

[@federalist46]

Thanks for the flashback to my high school metal shop days. Mr Kerr was a true fan of taking proper measurements. I graduated in 1964 when basics were essential.

[@Pippins666]

As a 16year old Naval apprentice 60 years ago, we were expected to file mild steel to an accuracy of 1.5 thousandths of an inch (pre UK decimalisation) across the who;e plane of the test job, using just calipers and a steel rule, no micrometers allowed. And for the last 60 years, despite a subsequent engineering degree, that Naval apprenticeship has been the most useful life experiience I have had - I was using it only yesterday

[@LoyvanBeek]

Some 3D printers also use vernier scales to align their 2 nozzles. Print 1 side of the scale with nozzle 1 and the other scale with nozzle 2. Then you can calibrate how much off in X and Y they are (if you print a scale in both directions)

[@MrSimonmcc]

Learned to use Vernier calipers when I did my apprenticeship with an aeronautical engineering company where we used both imperial and metric measurements. Interesting pronunciation of Vernier.

[@markpapp8784]

I came to playing with wood late in life. Before that I played with motorcycle engines and learnt to use vernier gauges in metric, but once used a dual scale caliper to do an imperial > metric conversion.

[@f.demascio1857]

That's brilliant.

[@markpapp8784]

@@f.demascio1857 Thanks! I'd been told a valve shim needed to be a certain (imperial) thickness and I only had a metric micrometer. Necessity being the mother of invention and all that...

[@StumpkillerCP]

Very useful for reloading cartridges as well. Used one yesterday to measure the raker channel in a chainsaw bar I was refurbishing and tightening.

[@HexenzirkelZuluhed]

I actually like the vernier calipers better for most applications than the digital ones or with a dial. I use them for woodworking all the time (though usually not for the precision). Then again I also do some hobby machining now and again. There I also bust out some analog micrometers; but those don't really make sense in a woodworking shop.

[@rickkinsman7400]

Excellent lesson. I'm an Aussie who trained as a toolmaker 55 years ago and can work in both or either scale, and although I'm now retired, I use my vernier caliper or micrometer at least once a week at home. I can't imagine living without it.

[@EF-69]

I have one of those. I don't use it frequently but it does come in handy at times. There are Vernier controls on some sophisticated electronics measuring devices. They often allow for settings that are more fine that the accuracy tolerance of the equipment itself.

[@stevebriggs9399]

What I like about my vernier caliper is that it has no springs that can get overstretched, bezel to break, electronics to short, or batteries to run out. I have been using the same set since 1992.

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

Not to mention that many vernier scale calipers can measure inside diameter, outside diameter (or just thickness) AND depth. I use mine a lot, though TBH I rarely actually work out the value. I just use it to transfer markings accurately. For example, use the inside teeth to measure the width of a mortise then lock it down: the outside teeth now perfectly match the required thickness for your tenon.

[@dwalsh3469]

The best way. The *right* way. That does avoid a metric / imperial discussion.

[@LeverPhile]

Any calipers will do that though, whether vernier, dial or digital.

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

@@LeverPhile Agreed, but how often in woodworking do you need to know a measurement below say 1/16"?

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

I started my career as a draftsman back when drawings was done on linen using ink pens. The drafting machine head had a vernier scale to draw very precise angles. This video brought back those memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@gteam53]

I learned something today. Thanks!

[@williamschlipf9585]

I last used a vernier scale ~25 years ago when my Dad was still alive. I remember him teaching me this. Thank you for giving me a reason to clean up his calipers and put them out in my shop for use!

[@dunk92]

Here in the Netherlands for fine wood worker, we use it all the time. We even use it to draw measurements on the wood. I even use it the meassure the distance from the saw tooth to the guide rail. It goes much faster then a ruler. I didn't know it was special for US users.

[@MrSnookerballs]

OMG, I learnt this over 50 years ago.

[@obiwuncanoly]

Maybe vernier caliper manufacturers should include a pair of reading glasses with their product : ) Thank you James for your usual clear and concise explanation of how they work.

[@barongerhardt]

I have a slide ruler that has a built in magnifying glass.

[@bobmartin6055]

Thanks for the refresher! Merry Christmas!🎄

[@hughjair133]

This is fantastic! I inherited one of these and it sits in my tool box, I just use an electronic caliper but of course the watch batteries go dead when you need it. Thank you for this explanation! I will be using it in the future!

[@kenbrown2808]

as soon as you said "vernier" I knew what you were talking about. we bought one for my dad as teenagers.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Well now..... here I am in the UK just having dinner and a couple of beers and I watch this, now my head has exploded and fallen off!! Thanks for another great video, Happy Christmas everyone

[@mek90703]

Hey! I just got a flashback to machine shop in high school! I and another kid were the only ones who could understand the Vernier scale so we got to work the cool milling machines while the other kids just got to weld the parts we machined. Fun times!

[@artswri]

Great video, clear description. Thanks lots!

[@steadfasttherenowned2460]

Thank you for the refresher.

[@PGspeed88]

Machinist here, I highly recommend getting a cheap set of plastic digital calipers. They are dirt cheap, accurate if you don't squeeze too hard or abuse them, and many will read decimal (metric or imperial) and fractions down to 1/128. Not hard to find uses around the house for them either, often they only cost like $10.

[@hleigh842]

Thank you...excellent refresher.

[@norm5785]

I still have my dad's vernier scale. I also know how to use a slide rule.

[@dwalsh3469]

Tell us how please 😅. Mechanical Engineer speaking - I bought one in an antique shop and it’s far less obvious how it works. Never had time to sit down and work it out before.

[@InssiAjaton]

For the longest time, that dual vernier scale caliper was my only high precision measuring device. By the way, at school I had learned a name for the vernier, a Nonius scale. I’m pretty sure all that was part of our Physics education. Anyway, when I collected my essential tool kit - minimal and multifunction - for my service trips, minimizing the weight was a prime consideration. The dual system (inch and metric) with a vernier was not available on any round dial calipers and the digital ones were still somewhere in the future. I believe I bought my caliper from Jensen Tools, like the bulk of my other tools. I still have the travel kit, including the caliper….

[@Tinker_Box]

Glad you brought this up. I enjoy using Vernier calipers more and more after so many low quality digital calipers.

[@P010010010100101]

I picked up several slide rules because of a vernier caliper my father-in-law gave me. These analog tools are genius.

[@janmartens7954]

Jup, metric is still way easier. But I learned something new today, the vernier scale. I love those analog instruments. My father used to be an metalworker in the league of instrumentmaker level 4 at the Philips factory in Eindhoven the Netherlands. There was only one level above (5) and threes below. They used to do mathematics with an analog ruler, called rekenliniaal, or in direct translation a calculusruler. He explained it to me and it was baffling how accurate this ruler was (although never exact, funny enough) As we speak there are still a lot of extremely high skilled machinists in this area, although the technology is way more advanced then in those days…

[@user-dg6sg7ws8p]

Slide Rule

[@spawn101]

That's a coincidence, my dad was a precision instrument maker at AGFA in Arnhem and sometimes did jobs for Philips (or "ome Frits" as they used to say) too. He made and calibrated precision tools, first just mechanical and later digital but I don't know which level he was. I have a box full of these calipers and now that you mentioned it, his Slide Rule is in the drawer next to them. I kind of understand why Americans like the digital version of these now, that seems like a lot of math if you're in a hurry. While I can read my analog ones in a second or two and I still use them very often because they are so handy.

[@janmartens7954]

@@spawn101 Nice man. My father passed away 2 years ago. He was schooled in the workplaces in Eindhoven before he became a "technisch tekenaar" and later teacher and schooldirector. Those were the old days. i never use an Slide rule to be honest

[@donaldhamby6434]

thanks appreciate your videos! Merry Christmas

[@edwinlikeshistractor8521]

Bless you for this lesson.

[@rosario5972]

Its not just the machinists that know how to use the vernier scale. Chemists and even chemical engineers like @woodwhisperer also know the vernier scale. Chemistry rocks!

[@sandragee2864]

Thank you! This is the best explanation I’ve heard by far!

[@dr.pitcherschemistryvideos1832]

I learned to read a vernier in high school chemistry back in the late 80’s. Modern scientific instrumentation is mostly digital now, but teaching at a community college we have a few older instruments with verniers. It’s often tricky to get students to understand how to read a vernier-I might have to link to your video! Thanks James!

[@Dave-gf3kd]

Uh…..BLOWN AWAY!!!! Thank you!!!

[@starhawke380]

Thanks for this one!! Ive been using a vernier caliper for years and never really got this... Now that Im using this tool to measure things for my CNC desktop mill, this kind of accuracy is really nice to have.

[@jameslee173]

I've used my vernier since the seventies...close tolerance sheet metal and machine shop. Not as much in my woodworking endeavors, but still handy to have.

[@aussiecro.]

That's a worthwhile explanation!!! Kudo's for thinking about this almost banal topic but for sure elusive to most of us ou there!

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

I have TWO of these and never knew how to use it. My father worked for NASA for 38 years. He was a rocket fluid systems engineer. That is where I got them. When his rollaway came home they were in his box. I could tell that he used them frequently because of the ware on them. Plus there are two books that came with them. The pages he used were worn and dirty. WOW! After all these years, Now I know…. Good Grief.

[@railroad9000]

Very well presented explanation!

[@lordgooork]

Solid explanation. Thank you for sharing as always!

[@dpbjlee83]

Very well explained thank you

[@egbluesuede1220]

As a woodworker whos eyesight isn't what it used to be, I rely on my analog calipers that measure in fractional inches. I have several, Igage, shop fox, and starrett. I can easily see down to 1/64" and 1/128" which is way more accurate than necessary for woodworking.

[@rcol1914]

Just in time! Thank you for the explanation. I was able to understand and use the Vernier scale on my Incra miter gauge for some compound miter cuts on chair legs.

[@valvenator]

Nice refresher course. I learned to use one when I took a machine shop course ages ago. Due to digital calipers now being cheaply available I totally forgot about these.

[@paulmartin7737]

Good, clear explanations here for both metric and imperial. I have an old style Mitutoyo caliper and a newer cheap-arse digital one as well and find I still prefer the old one for accuracy and the digital one for quick'n'dirty measurements

[@riedjacobsen8620]

For 20 seconds, I thought you were talking about my old friend, the slide rule! 😂 It’s still a good video.

[@Birkguitars]

I bought one of these a while ago and although using it is not yet intuitive I love the fact that it has no batteries so can never fail. I also have a digital version which is OK for anything down to about 0.1mm but the vernier is more accurate.

[@casperghst42]

I was taught how to use calibers as a child, still use it. Very easy I find.

[@nikolausreinke9966]

Yep. This feature blew my mind when I learned it from a 16-yo boy who was like: You didn’t know that? Idiot. Never too old to learn. AND: I am actually using it. Despite all the comments that deny this kind of accuracy to be useful in woodworking at all. There are occasions.

[@matoatlantis]

I have two of these - one digital/analog and one old school plain analog. Very neat tool. We had a subject in elementary school (workshop) where we were taught how to use vernier calipers.

[@maynardcarmer3148]

I've had one in my toolbox for more years than I care to think about, before I came up with the bucks for a dial caliper.

[@jarls5890]

Same - one "analog" metal one and one digital metal one. But - I also got two in plastic. This may sound like a "cheapo" version - but is in fact often used by watchmakers as the plastic avoids accidentally scratching the piece you are working on. A related fact (which may - or may not be true - it was told to me by an old watchmaker): The bluing (which is traditionally done by carefully heating the metal without any chemicals or such - and is microns thick) of the very tiny screws in a watch is not only to make it pretty and hardened. But screwing down such a screw would almost certainly scratch the bluing on the screw around the slot - unless you have a very steady hand, skill, and a precisely ground screwdriver (it is common the grind the itty bitty screwdrivers as you use them). I.e. it is a "mark of skill".

[@slomkaadas9603]

Very good video as always ❤ Thank you for that knowledge - I really appreciated it! Cheers from Poland 🍻

[@j.frankparnell3087]

I think I just learned how to use the Vernier scale on my miter saw. Thanks!

[@mikebeacom4883]

My dial caliper died a few days ago. So I replaced it. Saw a 6” vernier caliper on sale, and bought that too. Should have ordered a 1” standard while I was at it. Anyhow, it arrived about the same time this video dropped, and I was playing with it about an hour before I watched the video. Excellent timing!

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Stumpy, must admit I don’t use the vernier caliper that often, but is my go to in case of ‘doubt,’ especially when an object is placed in such a way the tape measure or yard stick measurement isn’t visible, clear, or for its viewpoint, open for speculation. Have used the digital versions only sparsely. Find that those versions mostly obscure the measurements, with the displays over the caliper’s rulers. Also, even rather expensive ones have their batteries bleed out way too fast and the only way to tackle that is to take ‘m out, which leads to a new calibration cycle every time one needs the caliper. That’s why I stick to the analog vernier caliper. I’m metric, by the way. Am not in the position to make fun of the imperial system. I find it very useful, where the increments often just ‘feel’ much more natural than the mm count. Cheerio

[@littlejohhny42]

Throw in a slide rule and I'm sooo there. Great video !

[@TheRealWindlePoons]

I learned to use a vernier as a machine shop apprentice. I have since had three electronic digital calipers, they have all failed. I am 65 years old and have bought a magnifier and gone back to my trusty vernier caliper...

[@Board.Dad.Woodworking]

I never actually use my calipers to take measurements. I just use them to transfer measurements, usually for mortise and tenon joints, or to set my table saw blade height or fence distance. That's essentially my process with all my measuring devices. I think it's mostly my way of trying to avoid unnecessary math.

[@sootys4024]

Metric woodworker here and my Vernier caliper is in constant use. Even use the freedom units side of the scale regularly as thou is pretty easy for us decimal types to work in too.

[@stanp1104]

Can't resist commenting. Started in engineering long before the digital calipers so understand using the analogs ones. Got lazy with the digital ones but still use an engineering measuring mindset while woodworking. Now class, tomorrow's lesson is using the slide rule to calculate board-feet.

[@johnburger3287]

And slide rules also use vernier scales and are extremely accurate calculators. Everything was designed using slide rules before the computer was invented.

[@stanp1104]

Thanks. And people forget that we even went to the moon using slide rules. @@johnburger3287

[@frankfronczak4469]

​@@johnburger3287 I have used vernier calipers as well as slide rules for more than 50 years. I can't think of a vernier scale on a slide rule ( keeping in mind that a vernier scale is used to more accurately interpolate between two markings). Perhaps you are conflating logarithmic (or log-log) scales with a vernier scale. Unrelated to this remark, but brought up in others, I am a member of the ver- nee -er pronunciation clan. I learned this pronunciation when I was first taught how to read a micrometer and vernier calipers from my machinist uncles. Furthermore, my engineering professors pronounced it ver-nee-er. These typically were men who had been practicing engineers before they became professors. I'll stick with their pronunciation.

[@johnburger3287]

@@frankfronczak4469 OK maybe I don't have the terminology correct but, as I remember my slide rule days you lined up two numbers from an equation and read the result on the slide rule in a different position and not necessarily on the same two scales originally aligned. I guess that is not vernier in a measuring sense but kind of similar in a calculation sense.

[@georgecurtis6463]

Been using thise since the very early 70s. Still have them and use them.

[@larrygreen262]

I learned to use vernier calipers in my High School engineering class in the UK back in the early 70's and that knowledge has been with me ever since. I still have a set of vernier calipers in my tool drawer alongside my more modern digital calipers. I also have 0-1", 1-2" and 2-3" micrometers which include a vernier scale on the sleeves so that I can easily measure to an accuracy of 1/10th of 1,0000th of an inch with those too. As well as using vernier calipers in High School we were taught to use slide rules (or guessing sticks as we knew them) and every student had a book of logarithmic tables in their bag for use in math, geometry and technical drawing classes etc. I still have my 50+ year old slide rule tucked away in a drawer somewhere and I still have my draughting tee square and set squares from those days too! Simple digital calculators were only just being invented when I took my final year exams and only the very rich students could afford them and so all mechanical or electronic calculators were banned from the examination rooms and all you could take in were slide rules and log tables!

[@tomhargreaves8820]

I've used 'em, but my eyes go crossed when I read the scale. I had a big party when I got my first digital caliper. Now I have four of them scattered around the shop and use them for many things, often comparing several things for thickness or diameter (screws, drill bits, holes . . .) or exact length, or box joint setup, and more. I can do comparisons a lot more quickly than I could with the vernier type. The same is true with digital depth gages. You had a great, clear presentation, I but I kept saying YGBSM, why go through all of that!

[@wouterengels7769]

I was wondering how these would work in imperial units. Thanks for showing!

[@adama1294]

The vernier calibers are also cheaper for the same quality tool than dial or digital calipers. Love mine. I Have a vernier scale on my Jess Em miter guage that will get me to 0.1 degrees too

[@Rivenworld]

From the UK and I was brought up with inches and thousandths of an inch, keep it imperial in my book. I cut my teeth on digital verniers so I have learned a lot from this, thanks for sharing. Just goes to show that even at 66 years of age I can still learn something new. 🙂

[@LarryDickman1]

I bought my first vernier calipers like that in the very early 70s. Took awhile to learn as a young machinist. But when the dial indicator vernier came out some older machinist/toolmakers loathed it like Luddites. But the 30/40 year toolmakers I worked with (and still learning from) adapted it happily because it was a quick read and more work gets done.

[@dennisstahlman135]

As a machinist for 40+ years I used these often The largest was 4 feet long ! 😱😱😱

[@worstworkshop]

You really should have put an affiliate link to a digital caliper here. This was a great ad for one.

[@StumpyNubs]

I have made several videos promoting digital calipers. But some people like to learn other things. It's a skill worth preserving.