Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi

Is anyone using a carbon fibre vernier caliper ?

Is steel any better ?

John

If you're talking about a 6" caliper, which is what most are using for guitars, then just about any caliper will do. There's no great benefit to going really high-end on them, a $25 digital caliper will serve you well. I can't think of any benefit to a CF caliper over steel except solvent resistance; the CF is slightly less stiff in cross-section and it's harder to make an accurate caliper from composite.

Rather than a Vernier (though, as a mathematician, the scale does please me deep down inside), I'd get either a dial or digital caliper. The reason I say this is because you can knock a Vernier out of alignment (absolute position...and it's really annoying to reset them) whereas you can reset your zero with a dial or digital (and so you're fine so long as the relative accuracy is good).

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I consider a metal dial caliper one of the most important tools that I use for luthier work.Would be lost without it and would not even consider not having one at hand. As Bob said verniers are seldom used nowadays. Slower to read especially for aging eyes.Have seen the non metal calipers and would only consider them for rough work such as checking rough stock etc. I think if you acquire an inexpensive metal dial caliper you would not be disappointed. Take care.
Tom.

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I have 6 inch and 4inch calipers. I like the 4's the most. They are under $20.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Agreed with everyone except I much prefer digital to dial in a dusty shop. Not everyone's experience?
Rick

I have all three.

When the batteries die on the digital, I pick up the dial.
When I drop the dial, I pick up the Vernier.
When I get annoyed with the Vernier, I buy batteries (and a new dial caliper)

My Vernier reads +3 thou, but it always works...I'm getting better about dropping my dial caliper...the current one's setting the record at 18 months old without a drop!

I enjoy using the dial most, for some reason, but the digital is definitely the most useful for getting stuff done. It's the same price for either at most places now.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services