I'm new to turning - which calipers do I need?

[Ed Popiel]

Hi all,

First of all, I really enjoy the pix and topics in this forum....great stuff!!!

I just ordered a new Delta 46-460 and am going to make my own stand: http://www.cranialstorage.com/Wood/lathe_stand.html

I've been trying to find decent calipers to use but I'm not sure what size I need and which ones to buy. Most books I read say 6 inch ones but there are alot of 8 inch ones for sale out there. I was thinking about the harbor freight set: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-technical-measuring-set-94447.html
but are these a waste of money or will they serve me well?

Is it worth spending the money on Lee Valley's or Starrett calipers? Will these help me start out turning better, or should I just buy the set from HF?

And....What in the heck would I use dividers or a compass for in turning? I guess I just need some practical advice.

Any help sure would be appreciated....


Thanks,
Ed

[Ryan Baker]

The only thing in that set that is useful for turning (IMHO) is the caliper on the right. Round off the tips so that they are safe to use on a lathe, and they are useful for setting diameters. The "inside" points on the top can be used to mark diameters too, but you should see someone do that before you try, because if you do it wrong you will get the calipers thrown back into your face.

If you are going to do bowls or hollow forms, the most useful caliper is a simple figure-8 caliper for checking thickness. (If you get into hollow forms, you will need a number of tools and techniques to measure thicknesses without).

Dividers/compasses are very useful for a lot of things in turning -- first and foremost is marking out rounds in rough blanks for positioning or for rounding out on a bandsaw first, etc. Something like this http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-locking-wing-divider-96439.html will serve that need very well.

There is no reason to buy expensive calipers for this type of work. Just pick something that moves freely, and has lock-down screws.

[John Keeton]

The most used calipers in my shop are the Harbor Freight digital calipers - I use them for all my hollow form, lids, finials, etc. The third set over would come in handy, too, for transferring measurements, but when you need a tight fit - digital!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Those will work fine. I have been using that set for 6 yrs now. The only thing I would add would be a figure 8 calipers like this http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Measuring___Calipers___Double_Ended_Caliper___doub le_end_cal?Args= and that would be the 7" one. These have served me well.

[Jamie Donaldson]

You will need to practice training your "digital calipers," your fingers, to judge bowl wall thickness variations. The HF set will assist in some bowl and spindle turning, and the price is right.

[Robert Henrickson]

What about the bent wire 'calipers'?

[Ed Popiel]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I'll be getting the HF set.

I'll also check out the digital calipers when I'm there.

Robert,
Can you explain how you use bent wire as calipers? Don't they move?

Thanks,
Ed

[Brent Dorner]

Got this one for Christmas, thought it was cheap for such great reviews. 4.5 stars on Amazon is pretty solid for 136 reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Stainless-Digital-Caliper-Extra-Large/dp/B000GSLKIW/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I16ZGYNQ8DY002&colid=510V5N43RJFR

[Robert Henrickson]

Robert,
Can you explain how you use bent wire as calipers? Don't they move?


Coathanger wire (the older, heavier ones are best) or galvanized clothesline wire do the job.

See Jamie Donaldson's post ands photo in
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?178889-Deep-calipers-quot

bob h