[Farmall] tools

[farmallgray at aol.com]

Mike,
I agree with what you are saying about the plastic calipers. I forgot to mention what I use in those situations.
I have an inexpensive ($6-10) steel vernier caliper for when I only need to measure fractions down to the 32nds.
That works better for me because somtimes I may measure something that is warm enough to melt a plastic caliper.



Todd Markle 

Spring Mills, Pa.



-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Sloane <mikesloane at verizon.net>
To: Farmall/IHC mailing list <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 25, 2009 6:19 pm
Subject: Re: [Farmall] tools


Well, everyone to their own. I have plastic calipers, a set of good 
uality micrometers, a decent dial caliper, and a Chinese digital 6" 
aliper. The nice thing about the plastic caliper is that it can bang 
round in the tool box and not be damaged. The accuracy isn't great, but 
or half of my measurements (diameter of a hose, inside  diameter of a 
ipe, length of a pin, thickness of a brake lining, etc.) it is "good 
nough". For many of my other measurements, the digital caliper works 
ery well, and I found that removing the battery in between uses makes 
he battery last darn near forever.
But when I need to measure things like bearing shells, crankshaft 
ournals, and that kind of thing, out comes the set of micrometers.
I guess the issue is "what are you measuring and why?" If I was doing 
ritical metal machining on a lathe or mill, then I would strongly 
ecommend the best measuring tools you can afford. But for 95% of 
epairs on old tractors, middle quality measuring tools will do just 
ine. If you look at the specifications for those machines, most of the 
umbers are in a range well within the accuracy of middle quality tools.
I am retired, so I have to make do with what I can afford, but if you 
ave more money, there is nothing wrong with the very best. As they say 
n the car ads "your mileage may vary". :-)
Mike
farmallgray at aol.com wrote:
 Bob, I would stay away from the plastic calipers. We have one at work
 we keep under the counter for rough measuring.The jaws that measure
 inside are worn about 1/8". You can buy a fairly decent stainless
 dial caliper for $20-40 that will probably serve your purposes if you
 are not doing machine work.I personally don't like the digital lcd
 calipers. I guess I'm old fashioned. I can see the little gear rack
 in the dial caliper and understand that a gear moved against it and
 know how it works. How do the digital ones work? I don't know. I'm
 sure they are fine and accurate and all; just not my cup of tea. I
 also feel that the fewer tools I have that take batteries the better.
 My luck the battery would be dead when I really need it.LOL! BTW have
 you seen the new motorized adjustable wrench advertised? What a joke
 that is!
 
 
 
 Todd Markle
 
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