Turning Calipers: Need your wisdom

[Chris DiCiaccio]

I have the Rikon Mini lathe and a six piece set of Sorby's basic tools. Don't have any calipers or hollowing tools, so complicated bowls and vases that need hollowing will have to wait. In the meantime I've been practicing on weed pots and between center simple stuff, awl, mallet etc. One shallow bowl. I see that Lee Valley is going to be at the Charlotte, NC show next week and was wanting your input on the following:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=43202&cat=1,43513 and
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=43201&cat=1,43513
For things done on my Rikon (12" swing and 16" between centers) what sizes and which items would you recommend and do you think they will be cheaper at the show?
Thanks!

[tod evans]

chris, a 2$ piece of brass brazing rod will make you several really handy caliper profiles to play with untill you decide witch ones you will use frequently......02 tod

[Jim Becker]

I'm with tod...and that's also what David Ellsworth teaches. Between your fingers and a simple loop of stiff, but easily bendable wire, you have what you need. No need to purchase the fancy ones! BTW, be sure you round off the ends of the wire so that they are smooth and will not damage your workpieces. (Something I've had actually trouble with when using commercial "turning calipers"...)

[Keith Burns]

My 3 cents worth....I use the thickness calipers for bowls and HF. Not very often do I use the others.

[Harry Pye]

Chris,

If the show in Charlotte is anything like the one in Philadelphia a couple months ago, Lee Valley won't be selling anything. They will display a whole bunch of stuff and will take orders but no sales.

You can make a thickness gage out of a wire coathanger for a fewer dollars that those two references.

[Jim Becker]

If the show in Charlotte is anything like the one in Philadelphia a couple months ago, Lee Valley won't be selling anything. They will display a whole bunch of stuff and will take orders but no sales.

This is normal for them...and a number of other vendors.

[Curtis O. Seebeck]

Chris,

You could also do what I did. Find a picture of the double ended type such as B here: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=415 Print out the line picture as large as you want the calipers. Take 2 pieces of 1/8 or 1/4" hardboard and stick them together with double stick tape. Glue the print out to the hardboard and cut out one complete s piece with your bandsaw or scrollsaw. Sand the edges with a sander and remove the pieces. Drill a hole through the middle where the fasterner in the picture is shown. Insert a small bolt with a nut on the other side and use a little superglue on the thread to keep it from coming loose. You now have a set of homemade double ended calipers in whatever size you want. Takes about 15 minutes and a little bit of scrap hardboard. Works great for me.

[Richard Allen]

I use the outside calipers all the time. I started using them 5 years ago and instantly the qualities of my turnings improved.

I also have the spring loaded calipers (large size). Those are my second favorite. I use them on platters all the time.

I also have a set of figure 8 calipers which work fine but I don't use them very offten.

[Chris DiCiaccio]

Well, you were right. I talked to Lee Valley and they told me the only savings at the Charlotte show would be free shipping from Canada, in that no product is brought to the show. They only take orders.

Was at Woodcraft today and ended up buying the last 3 piece "Groz" set they had in the store. Came with vinyl folding storage.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3864

Curtis: I think I will consider your idea on the figure 8 thickness gauge. Great idea.

Thank again to all!