using calipers as scribes?

[IAMSatisfied]

I suppose one could modify calipers with some brazed-on, sharpened, carbide teeth from a saw blade.

This $27 tool is kind-of a marriage between a caliper and a carbide edge scribe:



https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Par...tag=mozilla-20

[Retro Steam Tech]

Hi,

I have several cheap (£9.99) Chinese digital calipers and, yes I use them as scribers so I tend to agree with Crusty. I would also say this, I once tried to drill a small hole through the fixed jaw of one of these cheap calipers and none of my drill bits would touch it. So they may be cheap but they are also extremely hard.

[tonyfoale]

Desbromilow,

I am with you 100%. Makes me cringe. Many of the workshop "how to" videos are not examples of good practice for using tools/instruments in general.

[Bony]

Some high end calipers like Mitutoyo offer carbide tipped ground legs with a fine edge made for scribing, I have one. Nevertheless I prefer to mark out using spray on blue and scribe a very delicate line to preserve the tip.

[Hoosiersmoker]

I bought a cheap caliper specifically for scribing small layouts. It was mentioned that you use the correct tool for the job... I bought them as a scribing tool so...

[mlochala]

I don't like seeing it. It bothers me to see people do that. Makes me believe they have no appreciation for the true purpose of the tool. But, that's just me.

[Hoosiersmoker]

mlochala

As I stated, the purpose of the cheap calipers I bought was specifically to use them as a scribe so, technically I am using them for their true purpose

I have a set of Starrett calipers for measuring and I would never use those for scribing... It's not what I bought them for.

[NeiljohnUK]

My shop teacher would......(insert proper punishment). I was severely chastised for using a 12 inch adjustable as a hammer.

Mine would have had a fit if you had an adjustable spanner, correct size spanners only!

[Unkle Fuzzy]

Cresent Hammer

[Crusty]

Hi,

I have several cheap (£9.99) Chinese digital calipers and, yes I use them as scribers so I tend to agree with Crusty. I would also say this, I once tried to drill a small hole through the fixed jaw of one of these cheap calipers and none of my drill bits would touch it. So they may be cheap but they are also extremely hard.

FWIW - I've had acceptable results using Dewalt glass drilling bits from the big box store drilling into hardened steel.