Height Gage Base and Scriber

[jjr2001]

No modification to the caliper as many of this type of mods will do. The caliper
is still fully useable as a stand alone measuring tool.

This height gage adaption uses brass,1018 steel and a 3/16" HSS tool bit.
It is as accurate as the digital or dial caliper that you use for the measuring tool.

The base is brass since I did not have a block of steel large enough for a good base.
No modification or damage of any kind is done to the digital caliper.
It has the full 6" range of the digital caliper.

Two brass tipped screws were made to lock the caliper into the base.
Two brass screws lock the scriber assembly to the caliper jaw.
The scriber parts are made from 1/2"x3/4" 1018 steel.
Horizontal member is 1.750" long and the vertical is 2.100" long.
I made the base large enough that it would enclose the caliper jaws to protect them
from getting nicked or nicking me!
When I extend it above the base I have a bit of plastic that protects the exposed
internal jaw.

Just a note on the jaw thickness. I found that several of my 6" imports have the fixed jaw at 0.125".
However some have a thickness of 0.137" like the digital caliper that I used.
My 8" dial caliper (Yussa) has a thickness of 0.127.
I made my base a close sliding fit for the 0.137.
I prefer the close sliding fit but I don't see that a loose fit would be a problem.
A brass shim could be added to make up the difference.

Also note that the sliding jaw will need the extra width cut for clearance.
Just measure your caliper and get the slot dimensions close.


All in all it was a very rewarding project and will make my layout work faster.

Cheers, JR

[dave_rupp]

Great Idea JR: I just happen to have an HF 8" caliper looking for a home such as this - Good Work!
Dave

[jjr2001]

Thanks Dave, you will be very happy with the build. I just looked at my 8" dial vernier and found that the jaws on it will be a perfect fit in my base.
Cheers, JR

[olderdan]

Very nice work Jir and so useful, if it was me I would just cut of all the caliper parts you dont need and leave it set up, these things are so cheap these days.

[jjr2001]

Thanks Dan, I have cut up some of the import type for special use before so I am not against that.
However this one is my "best one" so I like to think I can use it for other purposes also.
In addition I have a couple of dial calipers that just may come up against the cutoff wheel!

Cheers, JR

[PJs]

Nice Build JR! The other advantage I see is storage...just take the caliper off the base and it stores flat. My 12" digital I got a few years back came in a big'O cheap box but does protect it. Yours could easily go back in the original box.

PJ

[jjr2001]

Thanks PJs, good point. My focus changes from time to time and it will be nice to box it up and safe store it in the tool box.

Cheers, JR

[DIYer]

Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Height Gage Base to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Height Gage Base by jjr2001

tags: stand, height gauge

[old_toolmaker]

jjr2001,

That is a very good idea!!! The zero is able to be reset at any point. Thanks for posting the pictures.

[jjr2001]

Thanks Dick, The digital caliper has several advantages over all of the earlier types.
I think zero setting and the ability to use either metric or inch units are two of the best.
It does not "jump the rack" and give a really bad reading. ( I have had this happen with the dial type).
Also easier for these old eyes to read!

Cheers, JR