Tools you hate using or just don’t get on with?

[southernchap]

On southernchap Said:

They key to them producing repeatable results is the ability to snug up the ‘lock’ just enough so they are set to the bore diameter as you rotate them out of the bore, but will remain at that settings afterwards, and that the tightening up of the ‘lock’ to then measure in the micrometer doesn’t alter the setting.

Could you explain the snugging up of the lock “just enough” when the gauge is in the bore and the extra tightening once it is out of it?

I can see no advantage in this and only an increase in the potential for error.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

That’s 15 minutes of my life I’ll not get back!

For me, the problem is setting the tool.  This can only be achieved by “feel”.  The plungers need to be exactly normal to the bore in both the X and Y plane, (side to side, back to front).  The video guy may well achieve ther correct “feel” in one plane by forcing the semi-locked plungers against the bore, what about the other plane?  Check this and one may well lose the setting in the other plane.  The video guy assumes the device finds the other plane for you, it might.  I would much rather be in full control of taking an accurate measurement.  Its interesting that the video guy uses “feel” to fit the micrometer to the gauge rather than the ratchet.  I cannot recall seeing an experienced machinist using the ratchet.

Consider the bore gauge that is a short micrometer head with different length extensions, they start around an inch, my set goes to 12″.  Its very much easier to use than the type in question.  Moving the device side to side, front to back in the bore being measured, (assuming one is stood infront of a lathe, for instance), its easy enough, with a little practice, to get the best fit for measurement.  With a little practice, very accurate measurements can be taken, relatively easy to “split the thou”.  I would like to see the telescopic device achieve that.

My favoured way of measuring internal diameters is, for 3 to 13mm, a small hole gauge, AKA expanding ball.  13 to 25mm , internal three point micrometers, I have three (imperial) mics to cover that range. 25mm and above, as described in the second paragraph.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bill PhinnParticipant @billphinn90025]

“The video guy may well achieve the correct “feel” in one plane by forcing the semi-locked plungers against the bore”

Why would the plungers be anything other than unlocked at that stage?

“ Its interesting that the video guy uses “feel” to fit the micrometer to the gauge rather than the ratchet.”

He’s probably afraid of altering the setting after only lightly “snugging” the lock.

Since the mic ratchet is there to maximise repeatability, I can’t think of any reason why you’d sometimes use it and sometimes not, unless you were dealing with very delicate components or were afraid of moving an insufficiently tightened tool/component or were aiming for a reading you wanted rather than a more accurate one.

 

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