Must Have Measuring Tools

One tool I have not seen mentioned yet but has saved my bacon more than once is a a Starrett tool that resembles a 6" scale. However it is tapered from one end to the other. Reads metric on one side, inch on the other. Sorry I don't know the part number.

USE? You stick it in gaps or narrow openings until it stops and read the opening size by where it stops on the taper. Sure beats dragging out feeler guages and messing with them. If you need a REALLY accurate dimension, use the feelers, otherwise this gizmo is a dream. Came in a batch of used tools from e-bay and I probably owned it for 5-6 years before I took the time to figure out its purpose.

Talley-Ho, time for making SWARF.
Also note: teeny-tiny hook rules........BLJHB.
 
? 6" digital caliper, possibly a 12" as well
? Dial test indicator
? 0-1" micrometer (0.0001" or better)
? 0-6" or 0-12" micrometer set
? micrometer head
? depth gage
? gage blocks (aka Joe Blocks)
? Dial indicator
? Dial test indicator holder for mill spinlde, possibly indicol style
? Magnetic base dial indicator holder
? Comparator stand for dial indicator, you can get ones with an 8x10 granite surface plate
? Thread measuring wires
? telescoping bore gages
? screw pitch gages
? angle blocks
? radius gage set
? angle gage set
? center line gage accessory for caliper
? micrometer anvil set
? surface finish comparator
? Magnifying loupe with reticles
? 230X USB microscope
? large surface plate, height gage, precision squares, etc. is nice to have but large, heavy, and expensive.
? scale with right angle, center finder, and protractor
? Universal bevel protractor
? Sine bar
? master precision level
? pin gage sets, particularly the <0.250" size
? plain inside/outside calipers and dividers
? kill-a-watt meter so you can see how many HP you are running

Please feel free to add to this list!

Best,

Nelson
I don't have ten percent of those.
 
I maybe have half the tools on the list, but you can improvise with a lot of them. For instance if you don't have a comparator stand you can use a mag base on a surface plate.
 
I am not sure Starrett still makes the thin body 6" hook rule. I looked for one but have not found one. Its only about 1/4" wide, great tool. I want a second one as mine has seen a hard life.
 
I think that a coaxial dial indicator is very useful in setting up a lathes tail stock, mill rotary table and boring on a mill.
I have also used it to set up an odd part, in a lathe with a 4 jaw chuck, for boring.
 
I am not sure Starrett still makes the thin body 6" hook rule. I looked for one but have not found one. Its only about 1/4" wide, great tool. I want a second one as mine has seen a hard life.
I found mine at the bottom of a$7 bucket of dull and rustles - bought the bucket
just to get the rules. .......BLJHB.
 
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