The most important measuring tool in every machinist's or engineer's toolbox is vernier calipers, and your day is never complete without using them. So, we know you might work overtime to choose the best vernier caliper in the market.

To lessen your working time, here’s our guide that explains- What is a vernier caliper, its types, what to look for when buying them, and our top recommendation with maintenance tips.

What Is a Vernier Caliper and Why Is It Important?

A Vernier caliper is a precision measuring instrument used to measure an object's length, inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD), and Depth. It has two scales (main scale and vernier scale) that help to measure even the smallest distance.

 But what makes the vernier caliper more important?

Accuracy - A normal ruler measures only in millimeters, but a vernier caliper can measure up to 0.01mm or 0.001 in. Besides, it can measure any cylindrical or irregular workpiece.

Long-lasting - They are sturdy and can resist any magnetic fields and shock. This makes them last for decades with proper care.

Versatility - As we said before, it can measure length, width, depth, and step measurement, making it versatile in precision measurement.

Easy to use - They are compact, so they are easy to carry around, and they need minimal maintenance

What Are the Different Types of Vernier Calipers?

With time, everything evolves. So do the vernier calipers. Today, there are many types of calipers available to meet your specific requirements for precision measurement in CNC. Let’s discuss the three most common types of calipers here.

 Vernier Calipers:

The Vernier caliper is an analog type caliper. It consists of two scales, a main scale and a vernier scale. After placing the workpiece between the jaws, add the values that are shown on the two scales to get the measurement. They are made up of stainless steel and are resistant to harsh conditions.

But, sometimes it's hard to read the measurement without a magnifying glass. Plus, manual measurement can lead to human error.

Dial Vernier Calipers:

Dial calipers are also analog type, but instead of a vernier scale, they have a dial gauge. It works on a rack and pinion mechanism, so it is easy to read the measurements, compared to vernier calipers.

They are less expensive than a digital vernier caliper.

However, they are less resistant to shock and magnetic fields due to their intricate parts.You need to calibrate them regularly.

Digital Vernier Calipers:

Digital calipers are more accurate and are mostly used as a precision measuring tool in CNC. They have a digital display that shows the measurement directly in both the metric and imperial systems.

They have a battery, and you can zero them at any given point. Nowadays, many digital calipers come with Bluetooth data transmission, so you can easily transfer the data to your computer.

Yet, they can’t withstand higher temperatures or humidity, and your battery may die in a year.

What Are the Main Parts of a Vernier Caliper?

Main scale - They are fixed to the beam and marked in centimeters and inches.

Vernier scale - The slidable scale that helps to measure the small distances.

Inner diameter jaw - The two smaller jaws present in the upper part of the scale are used to measure inner diameter.

Outer diameter jaw - The bigger jaws help to measure the outer diameter. The left jaw is fixed to the beam, and the right jaw is attached to the slidable vernier scale.

Depth rod - a thin rod is given at the end of the vernier caliper to measure the depth of the workpiece

Lock screw - a small screw on the slider is given to Lock the position when you take the measurement.

Build quality - To make them long-lasting and corrosion-resistant, the vernier caliper’s body is made up of hardened steel or tool steel with a satin chrome finish. High-end vernier calipers have smooth sliding movement for an accurate reading.

According to the type of caliper, the indicator will differ. For example, in a digital caliper, instead of a vernier scale, a digital display is attached to the screen to show the measurements, and a dial gauge will be present in the dial caliper.

How Do You Choose the Right Vernier Caliper for Your Needs?

As an engineer or a machinist, you need to look for certain qualities to buy the best vernier caliper on the market.

Environment: Before buying a vernier caliper, assess what kind of work you do.

·  Are you a hobbyist or machinist?

·  Does your work demand higher precision?

·  Do you do heavy or light work?

For example, if your work involves coolant and accumulates dust, you might need a coolant-resistant digital caliper.

Resolution/ least count: The least count of a vernier caliper is 0.02mm, and digital calipers have a resolution of 0.01mm. Buy calipers with an accuracy between 0.01mm to 0.02mm.

Size: The size of the product you work with is important when choosing your vernier caliper. Mostly, calipers are available in sizes 150mm,200mm, and 300mm.

Material: Choose calipers that are made up of hardened stainless steel. It has high durability and can withstand wear and tear.

Jaws: Make sure the jaws are parallel to each other and no gap between them.

Smoothness: The scale should move smoothly without any tight or loose spots.

Brand: Look for branded vernier calipers, because they provide high-quality products with excellent service.

Battery: Buy a digital caliper with a good battery. This way, you prevent electrolyte pressure and leakage. Some cheap digital calipers use energy even after you turn off the caliper, this will drain your battery soon.

Digital display: Always choose digital calipers with a good LED screen and check if it's visible in sunlight.

What are the Top Vernier Caliper Brands to consider for your application/industry?

A good branded vernier caliper will last you for a lifetime. They deliver precision measurement with minimal maintenance. The most used top brands are Mitutoyo and Insize.

Mitutoyo vernier calipers are the standard for precision measurement tools. This brand is based in Japan. They spent years on research to produce high-quality measuring tools. But they are expensive.

Another brand that delivers high-quality precision measuring tools on a budget is Insize Vernier calipers. They are a great choice for normal use.

Apart from that, any brands with an NIST Traceability certificate are good to go.

We selected a few branded vernier calipers based on your application. Here they are:

Industrial and workshop purpose:

Most industries require high-precision measurement, and they involve dirt and coolant. It’s better to invest in a good top-branded coolant proof digimatic vernier caliper.

Our choice is the Mitutoyo IP67 Waterproof Digimatic Vernier-500 Series.

Educational/ Research Purpose:

For better understanding and learning about precision measurements, choose an analog vernier caliper.

Our choice is the Insize Vernier Calipers-1205 Series.

DIY and hobbyists’ Purpose:

If you mostly use calipers for DIY purposes, like watch or bicycle repair. You don’t need to invest in expensive calipers. Go for a dial caliper.

Our choice is Insize Digital Vernier Caliper/1108 Series or Mitutoyo Dial Vernier Caliper-505 Series.

How Do You Maintain and Care for a Vernier Caliper?

1. Check if the caliper reads zero when the jaws are closed. It will help you detect any tiny chips stuck between the jaws.

2. Never store the vernier calipers completely closed or drop them because a sudden impact might affect the accuracy of the tool.

3. Apply oil to the beam and sliding scale; it will improve the sliding motion, and wipe them off before using the caliper.

4. In a digital caliper, turn off the battery or take it off when not in use.

5. Do not store the caliper in high temperatures, high humidity, or direct sunlight.

What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid When Buying a Vernier Caliper?

Let's say you are ready to invest in a good, branded vernier caliper, you need to be aware of certain factors.

Calibration requirement- Vernier calipers need regular calibration. Always buy calipers with calibration documents, or else, you will get inaccurate readings.

Fake or knock-off vernier calipers- When you opt for a knock-off caliper, you will never know how accurate it is over time. They might not do well in temperature variations and might break within a year. Without any warranty, you will lose your money.

With block-to-box, you will reduce this risk. Because we source products from the original brands, all other products have all the required certificates to meet the quality standards.

Which Vernier Caliper Should You Buy?

It depends on your requirements. But our final advice is:

Always look for accuracy and quality of the product.

Compare different products with different sellers.

Here at Block-to-box, we are ready to deliver good-quality products to your doorstep.

Check out our collections here:

https://blocktobox.com/

 

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