hermaphrodite calipers useage

Probably my most popular layout tool. Great for laying out lines parallel to an edge and finding centers of round bar.

I use them a lot when running the lathe. When I have a round bar chucked, I lay out a shoulder e.g. 1/2" from the end of the bar by first taking a black magic marker and touching it to the turning rod in the correct area. This quickly paints a black stripe which dries very quickly. Then I take a rule and my hermaphrodite calipers and set them to 1/2". Then, with the shaft turning, I gently touch the odd leg on the end and scribe with the other end. Good enough for starters. If I need greater precision later I'll use a depth mic and then do a correction (finishing) cut. - GWE

They're one of those things that you don't need very often, but when you need them, they can get you out of a bad place. They're mostly forgotten, but I've used mine quite a bit, sometimes just because it was the most convenient thing handy.

On 13 Oct 2004 07:07:18 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@cableone.net (Douglas Baugher) vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Well, I guess once you have one you never need to buy another one!

***************************************************** Have you noticed that people always run from what they _need_ toward what they want?????

I find mine very useful as other posters have said. Trouble is, I can't find them around anymore. I'd like to buy a few to give to my kids and to put in a couple of other tool boxes.

Pete Stanaitis

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Douglas Baugher wrote:

I find them quite useful, and now have three for different areas of my shop. I find them useful for:

1) Finding the center of a piece of round stock. (Set the caliper to a bit over half the diameter of the stock, then swing the point to scribe arcs around four points at about 90 degree intervals (precision isn't necessary -- rough positions will do), and the center belongs in the center of the sort of pillow-shaped square you have drawn. (Obviously, the closer to half the diameter the more precise your results.) 2) Scribing a layout line a known distance from the end of a workpiece. (Set from the end of a scale, then draw an arc from the end of the other (straight) line (which should continue to near the end). 3) Scribing a line parallel to an edge of a workpiece. (Two ways):

a) Near two ends of the workpiece, scribe an arc whose peak is the proper distance from the edge, then placing a straightedge tangent to both arcs and scribing between the two arcs.

b) (less precise, but quicker): Hold the caliper as close to at right angles to the edge of the workpiece, with the curved tip resting against the edge near the top, and slide the caliper along in that position, with the sharp end scribing a layout line.

4) The above two can also be modified to scribe layout lines relative to an inside surface, by swinging the curved point around so it points outward instead of inward.

There are probably other uses, but these are the ones which I use frequently enough to remember them.

Enjoy, DoN.

I use them all the time. I like them well enough that I rarely pass a chance to buy them used and cheap.

Edge measuring and scribing, center finding, height scribing and measuring (flip them inside out)...

Basically anytime you want to transfer a distance from an edge or shoulder to a plane, to or from a ruler or to another similar condition.

I've made my own by buying inside, outside and divider friction-joint calipers and shuffling the arms for new configurations.

The only good advice I can give you is if you ever find yourself discussing them with old- time machinists, DON'T say her-MAFF-ro-Dite; say MORF-o-Dite. I about got laughed out of the first shop I worked in back in the '60s. (I have no idea how they say it in modern shops.)

-- --Pete "Peter W. Meek"

I bought mine from McMaster. They don't tell you the name but they are starrett. chuck

Not true. I have two or three of them.

Mill

On 15 Oct 2004 02:02:38 GMT, snipped-for-privacy@aol.com (MP Toolman) vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

It was a silly joke. Check out "hermaphrodite"....

***************************************************** Have you noticed that people always run from what they _need_ toward what they want?????

Yes, I am aware of the dictionary definition of the word. I guess I was making a hasty but equally silly comment specifically in reference to tools -- that is a thought something like "if some are good, then more is better, and too many are just enough."

Mill

If not my most used calipers, they sure come close!

Ted