Bahoukas received a beautiful collection of calipers and micrometers recently to add to some we already had. It’s a wonderful collection.
Don’t know what they are?
Calipers
Calipers were used as early as the 6th century BC by the Greeks and Romans, according to Wikipedia.
A caliper (British spelling also calliper, or in plurale tantum sense a pair of calipers) is a device used to measure the dimensions of an object.
Many types of calipers permit reading out a measurement on a ruled scale, a dial, or a digital display. Some calipers can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points, but no scale. The tips of the caliper are adjusted to fit across the points to be measured and the dimension read by measuring between the tips with another measuring tool, such as a ruler.
It is used in many fields such as mechanical engineer-ing, metalworking, forestry, woodworking, science and medicine.
from Wikipedia
Micrometers
The first ever micrometric screw was invented by William Gascoigne in the 17th century, as an enhancement of the vernier; it was used in a telescope to measure angular distances between stars and the relative sizes of celestial objects.
from Wikipedia
A micrometer, sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a device incorporating a calibrated screw widely used for accurate measurement of components in mechanical engineering and machining as well as most mechanical trades, along with other metrological instruments such as dial, vernier, and digital calipers. Micrometers are usually, but not always, in the form of calipers (opposing ends joined by a frame). The spindle is a very accurately machined screw and the object to be measured is placed between the spindle and the anvil. The spindle is moved by turning the ratchet knob or thimble until the object to be measured is lightly touched by both the spindle and the anvil.
Micrometers are also used in telescopes or microscopes to measure the apparent diameter of celestial bodies or microscopic objects. The micrometer used with a telescope was invented about 1638 by William Gascoigne, an English astronomer.
from Wikipedia
Here’s a detailed video with information for both inside and outside calipers and micrometers. Most likely, more than you ever wanted to know unless you’re a user of these great instruments. But a perfect primer for appreciating these amazing instruments.
Now that you know all you ever wanted to know about calipers and micrometers, stop in and visit to view our collection. Rain or shine, yep, we’re watchin’ for ya!
