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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2009 23:26:40 GMT
this goes for both east & west so i'll post here in general we all know that the specs given by some companys aint always that accurate i bet im not the only one that enjoys measuring swords tool number 1 on this list, eveybody has one, the common tape measure; great for length ok for depth not really so good for thickness, especially regarding high shinogi no good at all for things like the depth of a fuller which has lead me to buy; item number 2 on this list, a set of calipers scored from ebay at a bargain price; dual thread tighening action, 3 connected scales; 0-25mm 1/10 scale of that resulting mm and 1/50 scale on top of that again hell im still trying to figure the suckers out, lol and normally i like math... item number 3 doesnt deserve a photo; its a piece of wood that i balance a sword on to find the point of balance. im sure you can imagine it number 4, and what im after right now are some accurate weight scales.... im just not satisfied with my dads old fishing scales, i can get 2.4/2.6/2.8/3lbs etc but its rough as bootle and im not even sure if theyre right... so guys, what inventive tools do you use? if you can, please add to the list id love to get some ideas for scales (and yes before someone says it, i do take this too seriously lol)
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Post by hotspur on Jun 15, 2009 23:55:44 GMT
Great tools for anyone that like to measure things. However, micrometers can be a bit daunting to keep of track of when reading and vernier calipers would be a better bet for most. I have something like three tape measures within arms reach of where I'm typing and two verniers. The cheepo verniers run about $5-$6 and would suit reviewers just fine. Even offered in plastic, look for one that does measure millimeters and sixteenths (or even 32nds) of an inch. These are the F looking devices and a good many also measure depths pretty easily. Even my fairly cheap Helios mechanical dial vernier can be had for less than $20. Digitals are fine but will eventually need a new battery. I don't get too picky with weights and my spring type fishing scale has served me well for years. Digitals are also pretty cheap and these hanging fishing scales are also widely available. My micrometers? Well, I do have three and they stay packed away for measuring thousandths. I feel them a bit overboard for easily discerned measuring. Also handy for the polishers and antique crowd are magnifiers of general array. Loupes of various types are handy to pocket but I find broader lenses nearly as useful for polishing and inspecting marks, what have you. I can see 2000 mesh pretty clearly without them but such glasses are well worth their cost over time. Cheers Hotspur; Mr.Natural would say to use the right tool for the jobCheap Vernier Calipers
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 0:18:19 GMT
"I feel them a bit overboard for easily discerned measuring."
lol i know what you mean, 5.499999999mm is verging on ocd...
im going to fob off the 1/50 scale lol
i enjoy accurately seeing eg 5.5mm though
NICE CALL on the "magnifiers of general array"
they are now on my list.
the thing is with those 'F' calipers you mentioned, i did check em out a while back, found some for like 2 quid, but i wanted to measure to the back of sloping shinogi, and hi, and stuff
i actually picked these old things up for the only bid at 99p (£2.50 p&p) lol
other than that.... yeah... lol.... "its good to measure"
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Post by ShooterMike on Jun 16, 2009 19:29:26 GMT
Put me down as a fan of inexpensive electronic fish scales. They weigh to the tenth of a lb. Which means you can't exactly quote ounces. But saying a sword weighs 2.9 lbs is OK. And who really cares if it's 2 lbs 14 ozs or 2 lbs 15 ozs?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 19:58:45 GMT
not to be over critical but the micrometers is a bit over kill. Its designed for making very fine measurements. It’s accurate enough to measure the thickness of a piece of paper or a human hair. ;D
You will certainly get exact measurements
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 20:08:20 GMT
Bottom line is, you need to go with the tool that best suits YOUR needs- if you need exacting measurements that a micrometer will give you, by all means...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 20:39:23 GMT
KR i didnt intentionally get something that measured so bloody accurate, lol, 1/10 does me fine 1/500 of a mm is, i agree, completely ott. EP exactly! Mike, electronic fishing scales you say? ive never seen them over here, lol, we may be behind.... i'll have a look next time im out nice one!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 14:05:23 GMT
not really so good for thickness, especially regarding high shinogi no good at all for things like the depth of a fuller Calipers will take care of those two measurements quite well. They can also be use to measure inside dimensions. Here is an illustration I put together showing the types of measurements for those who are not familiar with using this type of instrument. The calipers above are are from Harbor Freight. I have a similar pair.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 14:13:12 GMT
Hmm..I need a pair of those myself, actually...as far as swords go these would suit just fine. Much better than a micrometer and with just as exact measurements to boot.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 16:37:53 GMT
A small kitchen scale is good for weighing swords. Mine goes up to ten pounds and does weigh in one ounce increments.
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Post by hotspur on Jun 17, 2009 16:48:24 GMT
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Post by alvin on Jun 17, 2009 16:57:24 GMT
Thank you mucho for that site Hotspur !!! I do like the prices for those measuring instrument doo-dads and also those in the Dremel Tool section. I can see some orders being made. I'd give you karma if you allowed that, but I guess my thanks will have to suffice.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2009 23:50:37 GMT
not really so good for thickness, especially regarding high shinogi no good at all for things like the depth of a fuller Calipers will take care of those two measurements quite well. They can also be use to measure inside dimensions. Here is an illustration I put together showing the types of measurements for those who are not familiar with using this type of instrument. The calipers above are are from Harbor Freight. I have a similar pair. cool thanks! i never knew they did that!
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Post by hotspur on Jun 18, 2009 0:32:12 GMT
Thank you mucho for that site Hotspur !!! I do like the prices for those measuring instrument doo-dads and also those in the Dremel Tool section. I can see some orders being made. I'd give you karma if you allowed that, but I guess my thanks will have to suffice. You are most welcome and I always try to aim towards pleasing. I turned off the karma clock at something like 50. It has always just seemed a bit patronizing to me. I did turn my pm back on though because folk thought I was being more snotty than I really am I am a browsaholic but also generally concerned about hobbyists in general. While a lot of it common sense, a good many just don't have the previous exposure to tools in general. My dual ruled vernier (not unlike the modren plastic thingies) has been kicking around my tool since the sixties. Somewhere along the line (while that one was perfectly adequate for more gross measurement) I acquired a dial vernier for about what the digitals cost now. Micrometer calipers are definitely worth having for more exacting tasks like ten thousandths and hundred thousandths, as are feeler guages but the verniers are good quick tools that are at least better than measuring across a section with a ruler. Although, I have my handy dandy six inch pocket machinist ruler as well and that can measure small pretty quickly (inch and decimal). Thread guages as well as dies and taps come in handy at times too. Wjile we drive on parkways and park on driveways, never forget that seals and bearings are universally inch measurements while spark plug threads will always be metric. Then there are them god awful Whitworth fittings whose wrenches relate to thread width and not driver width. Between an automotive background, then construction and other shops; what I miss the most right now is a sawzall a friend exploded for me. Anyway, happy hobbying. Hotspur; dang, someone has run off with my pole sander too
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