FINALLY! Calipers made for woodworkers!

Choosing the right caliper can really change the way woodworkers measure all sorts of stuff!

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[jtlong]

Metric woodworkers are not just overseas; we are here in the US too. Doing math in tens is so much easier than dealing with fractions. I get it if you are already invested in lots of imperial tools, but if you are in the US you can do metric, and I’m attempting to set up my shop that way. For instance, when I bought my SawStop, I ordered a metric tape to replace the imperial that came with the saw. Clinging to the imperial system is doing the US wood-working community a disservice, since the US is the only industrialized country in the world still on the system, and most all large US manufacturers went metric years ago. By the way, I LOVE your channel and have learned so much from you! You should think about converting some tools to metric as you replace them! ;)

[Ngun]

I used both the imperial and the metric system all the time. I am from Europe but your opinion on how you think we precive our system as superior ( is miles apart from the reality. I am stating the majority don't think like that, so I hope this changes your opinion by a good multimeter or two, both systems are warranted. My shed is 15 ft by 13 ft and 10 feet high at its highest point, the roof sheeting was 4.75 metres long, window I used was 40 inches by 40 inches, door was 6ft 6 inch by 5 ft 4 inch wide, we use milimeters and cm because we are not thought inch fractions like the usa, the common person will use both unless you work on a big job site.

[MnktoDave]

I bought a moderately priced 12" digital caliper a few years ago, to use on one specific job. I thought I'd only use it somewhat occasionally after that, but ever since I've had it, I've found tons of uses for it, and it's been a really handy tool to have around the shop! I'm so glad I made that purchase, and highly recommend getting one. It was money well spent, and I've never regretted it.

[joewrosenthal]

I have used a machinist’s dial caliper for decades. However, after seeing this video, I ordered the Fastener-Cal digital version you recommended. No more mental gymnastics or scribbling on a notepad???

I’m a chemist, so the metric system is no mystery to me. But I just consider myself “bilingual”, and happily do woodworking using the English system without guilt!

[ofar]

One add to your testing of the calipers for accuracy at the end of your video. I am an engineer and one thing that is just as important in gauges is not just accuracy, but repeatability. Some more expensive gauges have tolerances for repeatability so that if you measure the same dimension repeatedly the measurement is consistently accurate. In woodworking it is not as overly critical, but is important in quality control situations in industry. We measure both accuracy and repeatability using a statistical technique called a Gauge R & R. Anyway love your videos!!!

[markbryan]

Being the son of a former machinist and having spent some time in the metal working industry myself, I am comfortable with decimals. But it is still easier to work in fractions most of the time. I had never heard of a caliper that rounds down. That is a great idea! I may get one. Thanks James!

[hkbondar]

Excellent piece of content, Jim. I just bought your favorite digital caliper on the strength of your review -- the ability to resolve only down to 1/32" and the ability for the device to "remember" where it was when you turn it off and on again. Both of those features will save me a lot of time. Thank you for all you've done to educate the woodworking community throughout the years -- you are a treasure.

[asbrand]

Cracks me up listening to a UK woodworker video, where they talk about a 4x8 sheet of 20mm plywood. ;-)

[animalgriff]

I’ve been checking out calipers for a week or so, and you just demonstrated everything I wanted to see. You put a lot of thought into these videos and it shows. I’m sold on the $30 one. Unless you’re calibrating equipment or something lifesaving, I couldn’t justify $100.

[donaldguilbault]

I grew up when in the 70's the US decided to try metric and it went over like a lead balloon. Now we suffer with both systems and it costs me double because of router bits, drill bits, wrenches etc. being in both scales. I have learned to love the metric system because of building cabinets using it. The metric cabinet is so simple and standardized. I use the Festool LR32 system frequently which makes errors much less likely because it registers on both ends of the panel so no matter which end is up or down it's the same if you build using the 32mm standard. I like that it is a little more accurate without using 32nd's in fractional scales which always confuse me. Try dividing cabinets parts into several equal sections using fractions...mind numbing even with a construction calc. My Saw Stop has metric scales so I love to use it. I wish we had gone thru the conversion. The excuse was no one understood it and it would cost too much to retool our factories etc.

[allenwc]

Well, I did not know that fractional calipers existed. I have been using my dial caliper since I bought it in school in 1980. One makes assumptions and learns to deal. Now I have purchased a brand new fractional dial caliper thanks to you. I can’t wait to stop doing thousandths to fractions in my head!

[stevehood]

In Aus, when we changed from imperial to metric, tape measures with both scales were (and still are) common, one guy came back from site with a markup with dimensions like one thousand two hundred and seven sixteenths because “it just worked” still makes me smile 45 years later. I would imagine that most American who measure stuff are able to use metric as needed? I avoid the battery type tools as they’re always flat when I need them, I’ll now start taking the battery out. Thanks for the tip.

[andrewbrimmer]

Thanks James once again you come to our aid through your videos

[pattyofurniture]

One reason I'm glad I worked as a QC inspector in a machine shop before I got into woodworking. I love using my calipers to get the most precise dimensions possible

[timberrecycling]

brother, you're blowing my mind with that fractional dial caliper! you deserve an extra-cold cold one for turning me on to that tool

[jscotcha]

I was a machinist for a while and our CNC's worked in decimal inches to the nearest 1/10000 of an inch. Our end mills and drills were in inches and it didn't take long to learn that .0156 was 1/64th or that .3125 was 5/16th etc. when we used our calipers that read in decimal inches.

[VitalityMassage]

Ok! I just bought the dial style. Thanks.

[BB-wjdv]

I love all my machinist gadgets in my woodworking shop. Being ultra precise prevents a lot of errors that would otherwise slow down production. Granted my shop centers around a CNC machine. The right combination of understanding wood movement and pre-planning your projects down to .005" has made my shop life so much simpler.

[richardsolomon]

I absolutely love my mitutoyo absolute digital calipers! They are accurate and repeatable.

[joeframer]

Nice find for the fractional calipers....