How to use a caliper?

The analog caliper is an indispensable measuring instrument in jewelry making. It allows you to easily and accurately take the external and internal measurements of your cabochons and all the small objects needed to create DIY costume jewelry. You can also measure the internal diameter of the beads, very useful to choose the wire you need!

It has two graduated parts: the ruler which is fixed and the vernier which is mobile. The accuracy of the ruler is in millimeters and the vernier is from 0.02 to 0.02 mm.

But how to take a measurement with a vernier caliper? This is what Lucie explains in this video.

Measuring length and width with a caliper

Step 1: Put your piece between the two nozzles. Be careful not to place it at the end of the calipers, as this will falsify the measurement.

Step 2 : Move the vernier with the wheel to block your part without forcing.

Step 3 : Tighten the locking screw to hold your part.

Step 4: Take the measurement indicated by the ruler. It should line up perfectly with the zero mark on the vernier.
If this is not the case, that is, if your measurement is not precise (the line falls between two measurements), the first number to remember is the one on the ruler. Then look at the vernier scale. You will have to look for the line that coincides exactly with the line on the scale of the ruler. Then add this number to the one you have previously taken.

Step 5: Once you have taken your measurement, loosen the screw to release your part. Do not pull on your part as this could damage it.

Measuring the internal diameter with the caliper

Step 1: Put the two small opposing jaws located on the upper part into the piece to be measured.

Step 2: Move the caliper until it touches both edges of your piece, always without forcing.

Step 3: Tighten the locking screw to hold your part.

Step 4: Read the measurement indicated by the ruler and/or vernier.

Step 5: Loosen the screw to release your part.

For more convenience (or to avoid wasting time), there is the digital caliper solution. Its digital display screen makes it easy to read and more accurate. Just remember to change the battery from time to time, otherwise you may not be able to measure your parts.
Analog or digital, it's up to you to choose according to your affinities!