Adam Savage's New Precision Dial Calipers!

Adam revisits the topic of calipers in this quick show and tell, recapping the many different ways he uses dial calipers in his machining work and builds. But it's also the first time in almost 20 years that Adam has also bought a new pair of dial calipers for the shop, and takes a moment to share this beautiful set of six-inch Starrett dial calipers!

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Shot and edited by Josh Self

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[charleskilo]

"Stand back, I'm about to bring out the good stuff!" is such a funny but relatable feeling about tools.

[SevenDeMagnus]

First time I knew about that my digital caliper can measure a step, after using it for 25+ years.
God bless.

[micahcrewson]

I absolutely like that part where you talk about a string and b string. 21 year old machinist and I bought used tools to start and have slowly be getting ne tools, but I still use the old ones the most because I don't care about the way they get treated compared to new ones, if you use it, it goes back in the box right after use

[JEBavido]

Your loving handling of the new calipers reminds me of a young cellist I knew who was so respectful of his cello that he would always wash his hands before handling it.

[josephalexander]

You are leading a charmed life, when Browne and Sharpe are your dispensable tools. I consider them in the same class as Starrett and Mitutoyo.

[lonniestringfellow]

I've used Mitutoyo and Starrett calipers for the last 26 years working in the QA department for an engineering company. Both make wonderful products.

[WalnutandSteel]

I have my late father’s Mitutoyo calipers he had used as a machinist since the late 70’s. Use them almost daily.

[adammcinnes]

I have an entry level digital caliper, and it has made different projects so much easier and a better outcome than I would have gotten with just a ruler. I was installing a switch to the side of a plastic electronics box, and I use my caliper to measure and mark the cutlines. This past Christmas, I got my girlfriend a pendant, and made a presentation box with velvet lining and made extensive use of my caliper to mark everything out to make sure that it all fit (and it turned out great). Calipers are a surprisingly useful tool for so many things.

[cris_j]

I just love the enthusiasm for a well-made tool. Completely relatable.

[jasonb]

Generations of my family have worked at Starrett Tools - love seeing that logo in the video! Grew up knowing all about calipers, micrometers, indicators, and machinist rules. They make good stuff - great choice!!

[EricMichalsen]

quality tools have what I call a “mechanical umami” … they just feel good your hands and in their use

[rwozin]

Oh can I relate, Starrett tools are and have been my everything for so many years. Thank you for all your time and effort.

[f.s.]

Thx for sharing this moment and the love.
Every two years I get a new mitutoyo
and I love the moment when you pick up a high quality caliper out of its Box.

[kaydog]

Repointing your calipers can be done on a horizontal precision grinder if you know someone with one. Or you can carefully point them on fresh new lapping stones.

[RightOnJonCrane]

I’m happy to see you are staying with the dial and not going digital! ✨ Reading a measurement on a dial gives a greater understanding of metrology! 🙌

[Warshipmodelsunderway]

I just got a new pair of Fowler 4” dial calipers for my bench. I really like that size for model work, and you can get them with different dial colors; I find white on black a tad easier to read.

[mytube]

Lovely! I love calipers. Only have the regular "slide rule" style, but use them a lot.

[snakesocks]

The plain old vernier scale calipers will always hold a special place in my heart.

[billyc]

I bought a pair (w/the faux leather case) while I was still working as a machinist 15 or so years ago. Although that is no longer my career, those calipers remain with me (well, in the Gerstner tool chest in my home shop)!