What will be the reading of this vernier calliper?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reading of a caliper, with participants debating whether it is a vernier caliper or a dial caliper, and the interpretation of the measurement displayed. The scope includes technical clarification of measurement tools and potential user errors in reading measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the tool in question is a dial caliper, not a vernier caliper, and provide a reading of 6.34 mm if the dial is zeroed.
  • Others note that the main scale appears to be in centimeters, with subdivisions into millimeters, leading to confusion about the correct unit of measurement.
  • One participant suggests that if the main scale is marked in 10 mm multiples, it indicates millimeters, while if marked in single digits, it indicates centimeters.
  • There is a correction regarding the reading, with some participants stating that the measurement cannot be 6.34 cm as it is less than 1 cm.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of user awareness and common sense in interpreting measurements, suggesting that a significant measurement error should be questioned.
  • One participant shares a tip for improving focus in photographs of measuring tools, indicating a practical aspect of using calipers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct reading of the measurement, with conflicting views on whether it is 6.34 mm or 6.34 cm, and whether the tool is a vernier or dial caliper.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the scale markings and the user's interpretation of the measurement, which contribute to the confusion in the discussion.

Micheal_Leo
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That is not a vernier caliper, it is a dial caliper.
If you zeroed the dial before the reading, it reads 6.34 mm.
It is very close to 1/4" = 6.35 mm.

Each mark on the bar is one millimetre. The reading is just over six.
The dial turns once every two millimetres.
The even millimetre zero is at the top of the dial.
The odd millimetre zero is at the bottom of the dial.
 
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Baluncore said:
That is not a vernier caliper, it is a dial caliper.
If you zeroed the dial before the reading, it reads 6.34 mm.
It is very close to 1/4" = 6.35 mm.

Each mark on the bar is one millimetre. The reading is just over six.
The dial turns once every two millimetres.
The even millimetre zero is at the top of the dial.
The odd millimetre zero is at the bottom of the dial.
so 6 on main scale and 0.34 on dial . on main scale i am seeing cm scale
 
Micheal_Leo said:
on main scale i am seeing cm scale
That appears to be subdivided into 1 mm divisions.
The 5 mm mark is slightly longer, as will be the 10 mm marks.
If the 10 mm multiples are marked 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... then it is in centimetres.
If the marks are 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 ... then it is in millimetres.
 
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Baluncore said:
That appears to be subdivided into 1 mm divisions.
The 5 mm mark is slightly longer, as will be the 10 mm marks.
If the 10 mm multiples are marked 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... then it is in centimetres.
If the marks are 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 ... then it is in millimetres.
got it thank you so 6.34cm
 
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Micheal_Leo said:
got it thank you so 6.34cm
That measured distance is less that 1 cm (10 mm), so it can’t be that value.
 
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@Micheal_Leo -- One tip for improving the focus of your cell phone pictures is to tap the screen of your phone at the location of the image that you want to be in focus. Do that tap just before you take the picture, to indicate to the phone and camera what part of the image you want it to focus on. :wink:
 
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Micheal_Leo said:
got it thank you so 6.34cm
No, it's 6.34mm. No instrument, however accurate, is useful without the user's common wisdom, sorry to be so blunt.
 
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apostolosdt said:
No, it's 6.34mm. No instrument, however accurate, is useful without the user's common wisdom, sorry to be so blunt.
It should be second nature to check the likelyhood of ones first reading. A factor of ten in measurement error should scream at the user. Using a twist drill of known size is an easy way - anyone with a calliper is sure to also have some twist drills; you don't need anything as posh as a feeler gauge.
Playing with measuring tools is a good habit to acquire; constant re-assurance about the sizes of things is bread and butter for a machinist (of any skill level).

My ex wife (a teacher) recounted the announcement at a sports day that the "Boys' 100mm race is about to start". ~We all knock PE teachers but . . .
 
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