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Thread: Thickness calipers

  1. #76
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Buddy a thread on calipers probably isn't the place for this but look down this page and you will find one map of the top and back of a 1923 Loar as measured by Bill Bussman.
    Bill Snyder

  2. #77

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    Here's mine:



    Steel frame, sandblasted and painted, with a digital caliper from Lee Valey.
    Stringed Instrument Fiddler

  3. #78
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    So I just finished my Harbor Freight Gauge caliper. It's the first "wood" project I've ever done in my entire life basically. It looks kinda crapped, but I'm a programmer... working with real "objects" is exciting as hell -- but definitely new.



    The bolt that creates the bottom of the caliper needs to be reinforced. But I was so excited that I just got it operational tonight. I was so proud of myself when it was able to measure the thickness of a piece of paper -- between 3 and 5 thousandths of an inch... however, those numbers reveal variability in the device -- and are thanks to the accuracy of the gauge.
    Collings MT
    Weber Gallatin Mandocello

    Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests. -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

  4. #79
    Registered User D18dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    One more thickness caliper (late to the show). Might as well add it to the thread for prosperity. Built out of scrap birch plywood for the base and the caliper. Capped with a scrap of oak and scrap walnut. The gauge was $15 at harbour freight.
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  5. #80
    Builder-In-Training Steve Etter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Well if Dave can be late to the show, surely I can too. Here is mine. Like many others, the dial indicator is from Harbor Freight as is the large C-clamp that it is attached to. I cut off the one end of the clamp to give myself a surface to which I could bolt the indicator and then used a bolt in the other end for a reference.
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    http://lutheriefromscratch.blogspot.com

    Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein

  6. #81
    Registered User Rob Grant's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    The first image below is my favorite, cheapest and easiest to use thickness guage.

    The other two images are of the homemade device I use to calibrate the first one with.<g>
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    Rob Grant
    FarOutNorthQueensland,Oz
    http://www.grantmandolins.com

  7. #82

    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Well, well, musta been caliper making weekend! I broke my beloved International violin caliper that I've had for over 30 years. Just slid off the end of the bench.
    So, I got a caliper off ebay, went digital and started making this:



    Body is a scrap of Coco, and has a nylon screw threaded into the bottom. Still need to figure out the flipper part, but need to drill a hole into the stem for a pin. Nice thing about it is that it reads in inches (guitars) or mm (mandolins).

  8. #83
    Registered User Peter LaMorte's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Here's mine made from a piece of corian.

  9. #84
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    I just found this online . . . kind of late in the chat but a good option I think --
    http://www.axehandle.net/gpage.html
    Steve

  10. #85

    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Finished the caliper yesterday. Cannibalized the lever from the old IV caliper. Took 4 cobalt bits and 2 hours to drill the hole in the SS indicator shaft for the pin!

    Let's hope this one doesn't jump off the bench!

  11. #86
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Too pretty Hans. But then it will get "distressed" some before too long. That will take some of the pretty off and leave some handsome.

  12. #87
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Cool oak table, Hans. Calipers are pretty spiffy too.

  13. #88
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Just a bump since there is another thread on these started.
    Bill Snyder

  14. #89
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Snyder View Post
    Just a bump since there is another thread on these started.
    Glad you did -- I never saw that one before. If anyone ever need evidence to support the phrase "need is the mother of invention"...... I don't really need a thickness calipers but after reading this I'm going to make one! Off to Harbor Freight
    Bernie
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    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  15. #90
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Just a thought... I am always looking for ways to raise money for the tech club at school. If I prototype a pattern for cutting out a wood caliper that was ready to pop your own 2" dial indicator into would anybody be interested? I think I could make a profit for the tech club using 2 thicknesses of 1/2" baltic birch plywood and a thinner laser cut lever to raise the indicator. In a nut shell, CNC cut the frame similar to Han's design and laser cut the lever out of thinner plywood. Ready to pop your dial indicator into. $20-25 bucks +shipping?????? I could certainly cut them out of a hardwood which would look better, but this would add to the cost. If there is enough interest, I will prototype one. I would be willing to send the prototype to someone for testing and critique. Checks payable to my school tech club... not me.

    Thanks, Matt

  16. #91

    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    See that Harbor freight has a nice digital dial indicator for under 30 USD.
    Regards,
    Kip...
    Blessings,
    Kip...

    If you think you can or think you can't... you're likely right!

    Eastman MD515, amid many guitars and a dulcimer.

  17. #92
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thickness calipers

    Looks like the throats on these shop built calipers ranges from ~12" to more than 18" -- anyone care to venture what the ideal size would be if someone wanted to do tops and backs ranging from mandolin to mandocello size?
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

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