What's this thing called?

[Mike G]

Does it exist? Or does it just exist in my imagination?

I found myself using dial callipers to do the job this thing would do, if I had one: measuring the outside of one piece of wood so that I could transfer its width to the other half of a half-lap joint. The inside-out element of the pointy end is important because one end would press into the knife-cut on one edge of the joint, enabling a knife to be placed against the other end.

 

[Mike G]

That wouldn't work. These would:

 

[novocaine]

double ended outside outside caliper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Proops-Woodtur ... B07VLH6M6P

 

[Mike G]

Thanks Dave. I thought I hadn't dreamt it up.

 

[novocaine]

you dont see them much these days, but I guess for wood turning they would perfect. for engineering turning it tends to be screw limited calipers. I like them, I have a fair few pairs. :lol:

 

[Mike G]

.......screw limited calipers.........

What be they?

 

[novocaine]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-FAIC ... th=1&psc=1

it's got a screw it's a caliper.

 

[Woodster]

I don’t need them but these look quite good for wood turning jobs.

https://hopewoodturning.co.uk/tools-han ... ipers?c=12

 

[Mike G]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-FAICALOUT8-Outside-Caliper-8IN/dp/B0001IWQK8/ref=asc_df_B0001IWQK8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310864933873&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5333881642922631891&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007200&hvtargid=pla-348831885346&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

it's got a screw it's a caliper.

Ah, right, that's what they're called. I've got a couple of those. I guess I could file points onto the end (mine are rounded).

 

[novocaine]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faithfull-FAICALOUT8-Outside-Caliper-8IN/dp/B0001IWQK8/ref=asc_df_B0001IWQK8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310864933873&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5333881642922631891&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007200&hvtargid=pla-348831885346&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

it's got a screw it's a caliper.

Ah, right, that's what they're called. I've got a couple of those. I guess I could file points onto the end (mine are rounded).

erm, no they aren't called that, but it's what they are.

they are often called spring calipers, opr just outside calipers though, if that's any help.

 

[Mike G]

I've realised that that's not what I need at all. What I need is this:



That way the outer dimension of the wood you are measuring produces an outward facing point to go into your scribed line, and another point to guide your knife.

I'll bet that doesn't exist, or have a name!

 

[Pete Maddex]

Just transfer the measurment between inside and outside calipers.

Pete

 

[Mike G]

Well, as I said, I used my dial calipers and that did the job beautifully. However, I wondered what would have been used centuries ago, and if such a thing were still about.

 

[Alf]

Are we trying to discover "Inside Outside Callipers"? :eusa-think:

 

[Paisawood]

I've realised that that's not what I need at all. What I need is this:

View attachment 1

That way the outer dimension of the wood you are measuring produces an outward facing point to go into your scribed line, and another point to guide your knife.

I'll bet that doesn't exist, or have a name!

It exists, but I don't know what it's called or where I bought it!

 

[Alf]

And Bingo! They're called Inside Outside Callipers. Which sounds like what Mike is looking for, but seems too obvious and easy an answer. Mike?

 

[Mike G]

Bingo!

That gives me a search term for Ebay and FB Marketplace. Thanks.

 

[AJB Temple]

My dad (engineer) used to call these pipe calipers. I have some as it happens. Somewhere. Ancient obvs. Various sizes.

There is a similar engineering tool which is basically a pair of dividers, with rotary ends so a foot can be turned to do inside and outside measurements.

 

[Doug]

I don’t need them but these look quite good for wood turning jobs.

https://hopewoodturning.co.uk/tools-han ... ipers?c=12

They are excellent for measuring wall thickness the built in scale means you can read the measurement directly off the tool.