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Thread: Double Ended Caliper

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Pleasant Valley MD. U.S.A.
    Posts
    566

    Double Ended Caliper

    Hello everyone I'm trying to find a set of Double Ended Calipers that will let me read in deep vessels say 14" - 16" deep or deeper, I know I could make a pair but thought there may be a set available this size that is reasonable in price. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thank you in advance.

    Bruce


    My Handle is Splinterz25 on most forums.

    Jack Of All Master Of None

  2. #2
    Take a look at Pierre Martel calipers.
    Pete


    * It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep for life - Sister Elizabeth Kenny *
    I think this equates nicely to wood turning as well . . . . .

  3. #3
    Use a bent wire caliper -- coat hanger wire (the substantial black ones, not the current flimsy things) is good, or clothesline wire. It's what David Ellsworth uses for hollowing. Bend the wire into a loop or whatever shape allows you to reach the inside and outside. Set a convenient gap between the open ends, somewhat wider than the maximum thickness of the wall. As you run one tip down the profile on the inside, the space left on the outside will change depending on the thickness of the wall. Cheap, infinitely adjustable. If one doesn't serve, cheap and easy enough to make another.

    Various threads here talk about wire caliopers -- e.g., https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread....aliper-pattern

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Cookeville TN
    Posts
    338
    I don't know the name of the one I use but I have been looking at the Martel calipers because I think they are a lot better. I don't like coat hangers for deep vessels. It's too easy to flex the wire. I bought some 3/16" steel to make one for a vessel I needed to measure. Most of the time now since I'm not piercing I just use my laser on my captured bar for thickness. I am switching to a Visualizer system that I'm trying to build. That is the way to go for hollow vessels I think. What's confusing to people. You are not seeing the cutter like an Xray. while the cutter is outside the vessel you draw around it with a plastic overlay to protect the screen. What you when you put the cutter inside is the drawing of the cutter but it shows you exactly where it is. If you draw a circle outside the cutter for the wall thickness you want you really nail the thickness and you never have to stop the lathe or readjust a laser to get an accurate measurement.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpHdjFFs1bc
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCg7jXCesEA&t=34s

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Roseville,Ca
    Posts
    455
    Switched from a laser to the CCTV camera a year ago. I use it to gauge the thickness of hollow forms as deep as my hollowing rig will currently go (about 24”). As stated above, it allows me to adjust the thickness accurately.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Cookeville TN
    Posts
    338
    Here is the website to order the Martel calipers. Steep price but really nice calipers.
    https://www.martelhooktool.com/ENG/U...ls_usa_EN.html

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Cookeville TN
    Posts
    338
    Here is a better description of the video hollowing system.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pidLwThKHSw

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    E TN, near Knoxville
    Posts
    12,298
    Quote Originally Posted by JohnC Lucas View Post
    Here is the website to order the Martel calipers. Steep price but really nice calipers.
    https://www.martelhooktool.com/ENG/U...ls_usa_EN.html
    I like the design of the Martel but they are too expensive for me. I have the design sketched in my notebook and when I get a free day I plan to cut out the pieces from stainless steel with the plasma cutter and make a couple. I think I have the sheet stock. I'll probably make a template from plywood. Maybe you want drop by and make one too. (perfectly legal and no ethical issues if made for personal use)

    JKJ

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Atikokan, Rainy River district, Ontario
    Posts
    3,540
    I have a couple of these and am pretty happy with them

    http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/pag...513,43550&ap=1

    Calipers.jpg
    Have fun and take care

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Pleasant Valley MD. U.S.A.
    Posts
    566
    Thank you everyone for your input on these Calipers they are all quite pricey, Leo has seem to have found the least priced one and I like the design of this one as well w/ the straight leg: I thought there might be some for around $30 but I guess I was dreaming.


    My Handle is Splinterz25 on most forums.

    Jack Of All Master Of None

  11. #11
    Have you seen the Tompkins Gage'T? It will work on turnings up to 20" diameter or deep and the price is pretty good at $70.
    Bill

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Cookeville TN
    Posts
    338
    I turned a 54" Hidden stave construction Gun lamp and needed to be able measure the wall thickness. Of course the sides were straight so it was easier. I simply bolted to piece of thin wall conduit together with about 3" of space between them. I left 4" between the two bolts. I just used all-thread and nuts to hold them together. Then put another short bolt that stuck out about an inch for the inside of the vessel. The after I inserted it I just measure the gap between the wood and the outside pipe and got my wall thickness.

  13. #13
    Leo I too have these in both sizes and just bought the Martel one based on a demo by Glen Lucas last weekend. The are really great for me the one size, smallest does most of my pieces except I still use bent wire for my very small hollow forms.
    Pete


    * It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep for life - Sister Elizabeth Kenny *
    I think this equates nicely to wood turning as well . . . . .

  14. #14
    Dwight, I switched about 4 months ago from laser to video. At first I was using an old laptop and the set-up made it less than desirable. I have now permanently installed a monitor and the camera and can set it up as quickly as the laser so now the laser just sits around gathering dust. My video system fits on both of my favourite systems and I can get it up and running in about 1 minute.
    Pete


    * It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep for life - Sister Elizabeth Kenny *
    I think this equates nicely to wood turning as well . . . . .

  15. #15
    Pete, What camera did you buy?

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