Electronic caliper trick

**mklotz** · Mar 14, 2023, 11:38 AM

If you own electronic calipers that have the feature of being able to be zeroed at any point, here's a clever use of that feature. Let's say you want to measure the center-to-center distance between two equal diameter holes. Use the inside measurement capability to measure the ID of one of the holes. Zero the calipers at this setting. In effect, you've now stored the negative of the diameter of the hole(s) in the caliper's measurement memory. Now use the inside measurement capability to measure across the outer edges of the two holes. Whatever is displayed on the calipers is the center-to-center distance between the two holes - the diameter of the hole(s) has been subtracted out for you automatically. The same trick works if the two holes are replaced by two equal diameter pins and you use the od measurement capability of the calipers.

If you need the center-to-center distance between two *unequal* diameter pins, measure the distance across them and the distance between them. The average of the two readings is the center-to-center distance. Works for holes too.

**bruce.desertrat** · Mar 14, 2023, 04:46 PM

Nice! Simple and automatic!

Now to just remember this trick the next time I have to do this...

**mklotz** · Mar 15, 2023, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by bruce.desertrat

Nice! Simple and automatic!

Now to just remember this trick the next time I have to do this...

I tend to remember such tricks better if I do a few actual exercises of the trick when I first learn of it. Sort of a muscle memory instigating neural memory thing.

**jzanter** · Mar 20, 2023, 02:15 PM

Love it. Thanks!

**mklotz** · Mar 20, 2023, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by jzanter

Love it. Thanks!

If you liked that, you might enjoy some more advanced caliper tricks, such as

measuring a circular object too big to fit in your calipers...

Extending the range of calipers

or, accurately measuring bores with sticks or spring calipers...

Rattle your calipers

**Jon** · Apr 3, 2023, 02:41 PM

Congratulations mklotz - your electronic caliper measurement method is the Tool Tip of the Month for March 2023!

This is an easy and helpful technique that will save time and increase accuracy when measuring distances.

Some more nice tool tips from March:

Epoxy Nozzle Reamers by mklotz
Copycat Threadlocker Detection by tsbrownie
Bandsaw Finger Saver by Make Things
Bench Grinder Balancing by Lets Roger That
Keyhole and Pattern Transference Method by Make Things
Drilling Tips by Make Things
Copper Sulfate as Marking Out Dye by mklotz
PID Control by Claudio HG
Tipper Over Stopper by mklotz
Keeping Parallels Parallel by Topper Machine
Pin Gauges and Soddy Circles by mklotz

mklotz - we've added your Tool Tip to our All Tool Tips of the Month winners post. And, you'll now notice the tool tip award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:

And, you'll be receiving a $100 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Congrats again