Shop Talk 11: Vernier Calipers & How To Read Them 

Thanks for the video. I have never see an explaination for a vernier in 50 thousands graduations. Those are some treasured measuring instruments you got there.

I'm not a machinist, in fact, I've never set foot in a _real_ (non basement) machine shop. But i love your channel, and have always been fascinated by it. Trades were strictly frowned upon in my family growing up, so it was never really an option for me to pursue. Sitting here all day at my desk doing IT really makes me wish I'd taken up a real trade and had a useful skill. I really like these videos because they teach me a little bit here and there about the basics. Never in any of your videos do you ever seem to be talking down to the viewer, or anyone for that matter. Makes it really easy to learn and watch. Thanks for making them.

My dad tried to teach me this before and he told me exactly what you just did but I never understood it! Somehow watching this made it suddenly seem so simple! Thank you!! New sub!!

Cheers Adam. I'd learned vernier decades ago, but never needed them that precise during my working career. Useful reminder, came back to me when you showed the lines in alignment.

Such a clear explanation Adam... well done. These shop talk videos are a great addition to your channel.

I thank you for doing this video. I worked in a job shop in college and the manager gave me one of the 14” Starretts as a parting gift. Just pulled it out for the first time in 43 years and needed a refresher on how to use it. Thanks to you I’m ready to go on my new welding hobby.

Just about everything you show is the same stuff I learned as an apprentice in aerospace, some 48 years ago. I learned from some of the old time machinists before me. The tools and methods created by our predecessors, never gets old. The thing about vernier is you don't have to keep checking the calibration and zero'ing the device. If you want to see if your digital is good, use a vernier as a check.

My very first job was in a door,window,cabinet shop, I loved it. Fast forward, I was asked to step in at a machine shop to fill in for a pattern maker who had health problems. Everyone there was more than willing to teach me their trade and in return I was more than willing to teach them mine. In that short amount of time that I was there I learned more from the machinists then I could have ever learned at any school. Great bunch or guys and girls over there. Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to more of these videos.

Just found my old 12in vernier caliper and watching this video reminded me how to use it, thanks great video

Thanks mr Abom for that demo. I'm a woodworker, and I've had a 7" caliper laying around in one of my drawers for years but never knew how to use it properly - I didn't know what the thumb screws were for. Mine's a 7" and a little different from the ones you demonstrate. It has two separate jaws - one for outer and one for inner measurements . It also has a lower imperial scale and an upper metric . As a woodworker, I am happy to work in Imperial or metric - although there's no getting away from the fact that metric is easier to divide into. I see that you have a quality make there - Starret . There's nothing like using quality equipment . Just try explaining to your Wife, why the special order you made ( which will last a lifetime and possibly be handed down to a family member ) cost 4 times the price of the cheap item at the DIY store!

I love the fact that you keep tradition alive. Now everyone wants to use digital measuring tools and to that fact you had to show everyone the first measurement on a digital so that they would believe you. God bless you for keeping your father's and grandfather's craft alive. I'm sure they would be proud of you.

Great lesson. Having a grandad and dad as teachers was the best free education that no amount of money could ever buy a person. Thank you for sharing

You did a good job of explaining how to read a vernier caliper. It can be very confusing if you've never read one before. I just learned this a few weeks ago. I'm 31 and currently going back to school to become a machinist. The way you explained it, falls directly in line with how it's explained in the text book.

You fit the part well & make an EXCELLENT instructor, like calm cool & collected on the delivery(easy to follow)! I would like to see a vid from you on how you remove, install & size a valve guide. Thanks much for taking the time for hosting these instructional vids like nothing better than experienced Americans opening the door for other Americans to both learn & better themselves in the game of life!

I work in wood but, essentially, our jobs are the same and much of what you teach is relevant to what I do as well. Love your channel [recent subscriber] and your ability to explain things in a way that we understand. My uncle was a machinist in the Navy (Vietnam era), he was on the USS Ajax. The dude has tried and failed to teach me how to read vernier calipers a dozen times over the years yet you managed to make it seem simple in a little over 18 minutes. Thanks and keep up the awesome work.

You do an excellent job to make something understandable that others make overly complex with too many words.

A very clear explanation, excellent close up video backing up what you are explaining. Adam, you have a natural talent for teaching. You bring in your machining experience to illustrate your topic. I cannot help but avidly watch your videos enjoying your personality, experience and desire to help others. Excellent presentation. Thank you for what you do!

It's been almost 40 years since I learned this skill. Thanks for the refresher! Great Vid!

I'm from Britain and I use both metric and imperial, but I've never used imperial for precision measurements but I'll now give it a go with my callipers. keep up the great work.

thank you for explaining this! I work at a machine shop and ive been making some hydrologic shafts the last 3 days. they measure 55 inches between the shoulders of the journals. and 57.5 overall length. I have to use a huge set of vernier calipers to measure this and I was getting along fine but knowing all this really makes me feel confident I'm spot on!

I have the same Starrett 12" vernier calipers. I never knew how to correctly use the fine adjust. Thanks Adam!

Great tool video! Good to see the tools looked over as well as the projects. Great channel!! Keep em coming!!

36" Vernier's ABOM size tools. Great video Adam, keep them coming

I’ve been programming/first time running on CNCs for 7 years and I’m no longer going to use the probe to quick check things Over 12” this is so much faster, I hated these before this video....perfect thanks Adam

Adam nice video Its funny what comments really stay with you. And the joy of picking up a tool that was given to you and who it reminds you of.

Since I’m currently taking night classes at my old high school for advanced manufacturing/ cnc machining this will actually help me a lot since I’ve always had trouble reading these and micrometers. Thanks

Good Job Adam it helped me to see how important it is to have that "Touch" no mater what measuring tool your using to get that real accurate measurement. Thanks

Right on that’s always nice having things from family hangin out. Cool right . Tight wire readings finding center set up to find true readings. Doing reverse alignments dial indicators .

Excellent love showing the lock to prevent sloppiness.

Adam those 36" verniers are nice, but many years I worked at a machine shop that had a 10' vernier. It was used for building checking fixture bases for the auto industry whoooo haaa it was a monster. Still loving you show keep it coming.

Excellent training video Adam thanks for all your efforts to help us all.

Hey Adam, i really appreciate the care you take with those gauge blocks and with all your surfaces when you place them on metal to metal its a great muscle memory to get into the habit of. keep everything true. Shows a true professional Cheers Troy

at 68 i have now forgotten something so i can remember this. its taken all that time but now i know how to use my verniers.

I just started a school program for entry level machinists and this video helped me a lot with understanding vernier calipers. Thank you so much!

I'm just starting to do all this I can't thank you enough I watch your videos daily

Many, many thanks for that clear explanation Adam, I feel much more confident reading them now.

Thank you Abom for the instructional video. I haven't used vernier calipers in so long and a new employee ask. I pointed him to this video. Job well done.

Very good presentation and instruction, Adam!!

An excellent lesson from an excellent teacher : ) Thanks Adam !

Thanks Adam...you're always adding to my 'wish list' of tools that I'm jonesing to buy, LOL! These shop talk videos are some really useful info, and I just imagine how special they will be in 50 years time to teach the history of the craft. Aloha...Chuck

Another great video Adam! I really like the shop talk videos. Keep them coming. Gary

The first precision measuring device that I ever got was a "Central" vernier caliper. That was nearly 50 years ago. I still have have it and use to on a regular basis. Great explanation Adam.

thanks adom been a real long time since i used vernier calipers

Thank you. You explain very clearly and no nonsense!

Very well said and illustrated. A good refresher for me. My Machinist Father taught how to read calipers back years ago!! thanks!!!

You explained how to read them so well! Thank you!

I’m a 30 year glazier but I went to school for machining and worked as a lathe hand at a metal spinner early on in my working career. I love watching your videos. It lets me brush up on and see how much I still retain. I seem to remember our shop having and old Italian engine lathe where the carriage moved opposite of what you would expect. For example you’d turn the wheel clockwise to move the carriage toward the headstock. Have you ever seen that?

Thanks, i never would have known the fine reading on the calipers, always thought i knew what i was doing until someone comes around and shines some light

Thanks abom Im just a hobby farmer and all of my digital calipers broke but I had a starrett pair of verniers that I was able to read and make the parts I needed to keep equipment in the field love your content your a very humble and an excellent teacher

Great video. I am self taught on this and I learned a lot about what I was doing wrong, Thanks Adam.

good stuff Adam, great to see the big callipers out,keep em comin

Perfect! Your video gave me an idea... I took a pic of the reading and zoomed in. Made it much easier to read. Thanks Adam!

Thanks for taking the time Adam, much appreciated ;)

Excellent instructional video with very clear close-ups.

thank you! I've got a few digital calipers and a dial that make it easy but I was given a real nice brown and Sharpe a few years back and never figured out how to use them. you are the man!

Nicely explained. Your teaching skills has improved from your earlier videos. I look forward to upcoming vids.

Thank you! And it feels better when you mention your Dad and Grandad. The old timers had it going on! I was a fighter pilot all my life and am just learning how to measure with calipers, etc. This helped alot. Oh ... and now I have vernier envy as well ... lol.

hi my name is troy I have been watching all of your videos I think you're an awesome person you explain things well and show people who don't know how to do what you do do them an inkling of an idea of the amount of work you do too I think it's awesome keep up the good work

Very simply, thank you! You broke it down very clear and nicely explained your methods. I very recently was given the task of calibration certification for my shop, never knowing how to read dials, vernier, height, or micros. Your Shop Talk 18 on how to clean and rest a dial was very helpful and this video made it click for me on understanding how a vernier is read. *Liked and subscribed!

Thanks for sharing. Reading Verniers have always been a struggle for me, I don’t use them much.

A good job explaining as usual. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

Great video. Lots of folks scoff at verniers and call them 'very nears.' They are in fact extremely accurate when used properly.

Great explanation. I learned how to use these in high school auto shop. We learned how to use both dial and vernier but for the most part we only got to use vernier. Because of knowing how to use these the first time I ever picked up a tenth mic I knew how to read it with no further instruction. I still use vernier calipers in my racing endeavors because they are more durable while in the pits.

Thanks Adam, I am a metric man and your explanation was so easy to understand as I always go for a digital vernier when I have to do imperial

I really dig the Starrett calipers. Most folks don't know how to read them.. Great video!!

Thanks Adam, Just got a nice pair of Starrett 14" Calipers from Jack and your video surely answered my questions about using them accurately.

Very cool Adam. Thanks for your time.

another shop talk, this is becoming a habit. and I like it! Adam, great explanation on reading a vernier. a classic tool that can be very accurate in the right hands.

Very good explanation Adam about the use of larger vernier calipers (especially the just touch it and the feel the touch of 180, squaring and perpendicular and getting that touch) so one can get an accurate measurement.

Beautiful 36" tool makes my heart beat faster. They are heavy because of all the gold they cost. Thank you Adam. I would be willing to bet that there have been more things build in the world using vernier scales then the newer stuff!

Excellent video as ever, it's nice to find somebody who emphasises the importance of good setting up and measurement. I've never liked the casual way that too many people use verniers for marking steel: even with marking compound, there will be damage. What I find myself wondering is the best way to transfer a measurement from a vernier- or for that matter from any other kind of calipers- to Jennies for marking out: I can see how it could be done with a surface plate and height gauge but there must be a better way.

Thank you Adam ! Your video has just taught me (finally after so many years ) how to properly place and read the vernier calipers. In fact I will be relying more now on the analogue than the electronic ones .

Wow Adam, what a neat shop talk. Those big calipers are awesome. I am not a machinist I spent my life on the fire dept. and am proud to say I retired as chief. But I have always been fascinated by the machinist's trade and am thoroughly enjoying the videos posted by the RU-vid group of machinists. You were the first I stumbled on to and have remained my favorite. I am a target shooter and reload the bulk of the ammo I shoot. I use a caliper in measuring my ammo as it is reloaded. Thanks for this very helpful video that others beside machinists are going to find very helpful. Keep up the great work. I am waiting on my "indicate" T-shit to arrive, ha.

I always wondered how you read a vernier and now I can see how. Not saying I could pick one up and read it, but it sure gives me a better idea of how to. Adam, A very good in-depth video and thank you so much.

Outstanding! I spend so much time using my Mitutoyo Digimatic that I forgot exactly how to use my old Brown and Sharpe 570 25" Inch vernier. Well, I just came across a 6.184" inch cylinder piston. Crap. Too much for the Mit. Better go check RU-vid. Found you video here and cleared me right back up. Forgot how much I love this old tool. Thank you so much for the video!

Great info, keep the videos coming

I have watched a lot of your machine shop stuff. This one is exactly what I have been trying to learn. You make it so simple and easy to understand. Thank You so much. Yes I am one that has to buy the cheap stuff.

Ok, that is amazing. Whoever came up with that idea (I assume Vernier) was a genius. Thanks for the lesson!

Seven years later I'm watching this because I bought an 18" vernier caliper. Found it on the auction site for $35 and it's in new condition. They start at around $275 new and dial calipers that size are really expensive. I'm volunteering my shop and skills for a historic restoration project and found myself needing to accurately measure items between 12"-18" regularly do I could make reproductions. Having taken drafting in college (early '70s) as an elective I learned how to read the vernier on a drafting machine, I found the 1/1000th vernier pretty easy to read when taking a measurement but setting it to a precise measurement seemed to be a little more of a challenge. Then is finally clicked. Go past the inch, go past the tenths and past the .050 mark if necessary. Find the thousandths mark I need and move that mark to the right until it lines up with the first line it comes to.

Awesome video Adam.... You are a good teacher......👏

Thanks Adam for this great information. I’ve always used a digital vernier calliper because I didn’t know how to read a normal vernier, this video has helped me a lot thanks John

Great video Adam, that info is very helpful, I appreciate it! Jason

Awesome video. If you can find a ring gauge with the measurement on it. You can quickly learn the feel of the telescoping gauges, mics and vernier calipers. Thanks for the wonderful videos and sharing you knowledge and experiences.

Excellent. Bought a Starrett 14-1/2 Master vernier caliper recently. Thank you.

Love the videos Adam, I'm a CNC machinist but learnt the skill on manual machines. Watching your videos helps keep my memory fresh so I don't forget manual work. 100k subscribers for 36th birthday would be awesome :)

I use your granddad's technique all the time. When I need to turn a small part I set the calipers for the largest diameter on the part, then lock the jaws and use them as a go-nogo gauge to hunt through the material rack looking for a piece where the jaws won't quite go over.

Very nicely done Adam, I still have to go to the 42" calipers from time to time, the only thing now is I use a small magnifying glass to read the Vernier. As you mentioned before with the rite feel they are very accurate.

Hey Adam, I just got my do you even indicate bro shirt in yesterday and the whole shop crew got a good kick out of it at work today. Great idea on the shirt, i'm glad I caught it in time.

Great stuff and I really like the shop talk videos !

love those calipers way more accurate and reliable. keep up the great videos!!

great video as always. been watching through your videos. keep up the great work

A wealth of information Adam......Thanks Jon

Good work Adam, I still have my 6"vernier and 0-1"micrometer both Moore and Wright from the first day I started my apprenticeship back in 1968. I started my career as a machinist in the aircraft industry, over here in the UK the vernier is known in the singular, i.e. 'vernier calliper', The journey man that taught me how to read it, affectionally called it a 'very near' calliper. Looking forward to the next episode.

great reference video adam thanks for sharing

I thank you for this video. This why I watch RU-vid. You did a great job teaching.

Very nice Adam. I use an old Bendix caliper to find the right small drill bit. I keep the smaller bits that have been resharpened in tin cans. If I need a more precise measurement I'll use a digital pair. Very educational, keep em coming.

Thanks for the video(s). To be honest: I am used to use Vernier Calipers since more than 30 years and when I read the title of your video I thought that I couldn't learn anything - well I was wrong and picked several useful hints from your excellent video - even as a "metric guy" ;-) In my opinion you are not just a master of your trade but also an excellent teacher! All the best Harald

Damn I saw that box in the first few seconds and knew that was a big ass tool! Beautiful piece of work in that box, Adam. Cherish it and the history behind it.

Awesome video Adam. Always found the verniers confusing to read but man you explained it perfectly.Jim

thanks Adam, that's about exactly how the old timers showed me back when. sure would like to see a shop talk about carbide inserts & holders in the future. taker easy