How to Zero a Micrometer

Here is a quick video on zeroing a micrometer. The same process applies whether it is a metric or a standard micrometer. This micrometer has .0001" increments as opposed to .001", so it has the vernier scale as well. Pretty easy still, but keep in mind that you need to line up the 0 on the vernier scale as well. The micrometer that I am using is from the Anytime tools kit available on amazon: Anytime Tools Professional Machinist Inspection Tool Set: DIAL CALIPER / MICROMETER / Stainless Steel Ruler

[joefarr]

Such a simple thing and it's been driving me nuts how to figure this out - plus I wondered what the spanner thing was for. Thanks.

[mat_haas]

Helpful video, thank you. In addition, to zero a mic that is extremely far out of spec and putting the thimble zero in a poorly visible spot (over the top or around the other side), the spanner wrench has a small side, which is used on the ratchet stop keyway to loosen the ratchet (which your mic in the video has), then pop the thimble back toward the ratchet, and bring the thimble zero to your preferred orientation before reassembling/resnugging the ratchet. Again this is for extreme cases, but it covers ALL adjustment with the addition to your video. Good share sir!

[computername]

Got a very old mic from an old engineer and the barrel wouldn't move. The video confirmed that that's definitely how it's done, so this gave me confidence to increase the "persuasion". With the barrel clamped in the 4-jaw and a mallet, I got it to shift. After a few times ging back and forth it can now be adjusted normally. An old tool saved from the bin. Thank you!

[ericm]

Nifty video and exactly what I needed to confirm how this is done. Thanks for taking the time to post the video, guys like you make my life just a little easier.

[marcmckenzie]

No doubt it can be discouraging to have under 50 "likes" when you took your valuable time to make a video, but this was quite valuable to me and I'm adding it to my Reference folder. Today my first micrometer arrived - something I've wanted for a very long time (50 years!) - and it's a Fowler that almost looks the same as what you used here. It took me a minute to realize that mine is the cheaper version that goes to 1/1000th of an inch, while the one you demonstrated goes to 1/10, 000th (i.e. why can't I find those last numbers he has?). Good learning experience. Thank you!

[mebordernoneya]

This was exactly what I needed. I watched several other videos and none of them showed how to adjust my micrometer set as they were showing for a different style of adjustment. This will work for VEVOR branded micrometers like mine. Very much appreciated!

Something to keep in mind is that the standard gauges in some of these cheap micrometer sets are not exactly to size. Mine are all 0.0008-0.0020 off of true size making the micrometer very hard to adjust to true size.

[idaholewis]

Thank you for the Video, I just ordered the same Micrometer (or at least it looks identical) I’m trying to study up on Using one. Dial Calipers are all i have ever used

[hansevers]

Nice video, but I like to make one remark. Before you start calibrate you have to clean both or all contact surfaces with a piece of shammy leather. Even when you have a set of precision gage blocks it’s necessary to clean everything perfectly before calibration and when it’s possible take care aboutthe temperature.

[brianjohnson]

I thought that I knew how to zero a micrometer WRONG ! Didn't know about setting the micro adjustment . Thank you very much

[tommyme]

Very informative video. My micrometers came with zero instructions. I couldn't figure out what the little wrench was for, I couldn't figure out how to zero the micrometer. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

[craigwilson]

All theses years I always wondered what that bar was for lol. Now I know thank-you great video

[tasmedic]

My micrometer is good quality, but when I opened the case, no instruction manual! Thanks ever so much for helping me get the thing calibrated.

[peterx]

Many thanks, this video was really helpful. have noticed the same small hole on the right side between the ratchet and the thimble. The other side of that little spanner perfectly fits in. What is it for?

[derekkchung]

Not trying to negate your effort for such good video but questions I have. There is another hole on the nimble end and the spanner wrench has a smaller hook at the another end. Is that meant for making other adjustment of some sort? If so, what? Torque of the clicking?

[thetruthexperiment]

Cracking down on small channels. 3 years ago. That is definitely when it started.

[tolgacool]

Thanks a lot. My new mitutoyo was slightly off right out of the box and the barrel wouldn't turn easily. So I thought I'd check out if this is actually how it's supposed to be done!

Gracie mille!

[hahkay]

thanks! just bought polish mics for a jdm honda motor rebuild and gonna get it done thanks to this vid!

[budsodalsky]

thank you for this and the link to spanner

[AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

Not to be a troll, and I only just learned this myself, but Mitutoyo suggests turning the ratchet 1-1/2 to 2 full turns to exert constant measuring force. Until I read this in the insert with my new micrometer today, I had always done it like you do in this video – just a few clicks.

[rufuscoppertop]

Thank you. Very cool. I like it. I needed to see it. I've just zeroed my micrometer.