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Author Topic:  What kind of caliper do you use for measuring string gauges
Larry Lenhart


From:
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2017 9:31 am    
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I bought a digital caliper at Lowes and couldnt get it to work and took it to the local music store, and they couldnt either. What brand caliper would you recommend I order...none of the local stores seem to have anything.
Thanks in advance...wasnt sure where to post this, but hey, I was trying to measure the gauges of strings on my new Fender Custom T8, if that counts Smile

would this work ?
https://www.amazon.com/VXB-Bearing-Electronic-Digital-Measuring/dp/B0045DTPJA/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499966729&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=VXB+6+Inch+Lcd+Digital+Vernier+Caliper%2Fmicrometer+Guage+150
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2017 9:52 am    
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That'll work. That's what I use. For wound strings, just be sure you're on top of the windings.

Accurate down to 0.001. Close enough. Good as any mic in the same category.
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Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 13 Jul 2017 9:55 am; edited 2 times in total
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2017 9:52 am    
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That should work but I still use an old dial caliper.
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Larry Lenhart


From:
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2017 10:24 am    
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Thanks guys, I ordered that one.
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 13 Jul 2017 8:37 pm    
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I use a "micrometer" it's much more consistent.


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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 14 Jul 2017 12:05 am    
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Dom Franco wrote:
I use a "micrometer" it's much more consistent.



I've been a machinist for 50 years and DOM is right on! In my book a micrometer is the best. I will say the calipers that Larry posted the link to work very well and are very reasonable. We used to get them once in a while for free where I work since we order a lot of bearings. The calipers were used pretty hard by everyone and held up very well. Measuring strings, I'm sure they will out last the buyer.
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David M Brown


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 14 Jul 2017 6:01 am    
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The OP's link is to a micrometer very much like the one I've been using for many years now, from Stew-Mac:

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Calipers/Luthiers_Digital_Caliper.html

Mine is a much older model, but it works well. It has a special tip for measuring fretwire, etc.
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Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 16 Jul 2017 10:57 am    
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Best for me is the micrometer (veneer or digital). They are both very accurate, IF you DO NOT over tighten them. Use the slip clutch on the end. ALSO, make sure that you adjust the 'zero' point. Keep the faces of the measuring surfaces clean (no rust, corrosion, or anything visible that could affect the accuracy by + or - .0005.

Thanx,
Jim
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 18 Jul 2017 6:40 pm    
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I still use a 1 inch "mike" ! Lots of stuff left over from my tool maker days...
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 18 Jul 2017 8:01 pm    
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A Micrometer, with its much larger polished perfectly flat measuring surfaces will always be more accurate than the thin knife edges of a pair of calipers. (more contact area)

But that being said, the calipers are plenty good enough for string gauges with a .001 +/- tolerance. It's not rocket Science.
I have a background in Aerospace, and Precision Turbine Engine mechanical Inspection.
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David M Brown


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jul 2017 6:11 am    
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Dom Franco wrote:
A Micrometer, with its much larger polished perfectly flat measuring surfaces will always be more accurate than the thin knife edges of a pair of calipers. (more contact area)



If one is careful with the blades of the calipers, you can get reasonably accurate results. Thanks for pointing that out.
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Michael Maddex


From:
Northern New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jul 2017 9:43 pm    
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I use a Standard 0.0"- 1.0" Micrometer. It never occurred to me to use any thing else.
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