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Dial Calipers

.22 L.R
Does anyone know if its okay to oil a Dial Caliper. I am talking about putting just a couple of drops of some type of synthetic oil on the "teeth" of the rack. I have one that I picked up and it operates a little stiff. I thought that this might help. If this is not a good idea let me know. I don't use it in any sort of dusty conditions. It's only used for talking various readings in regards to general hobby gunsmithing.[?]
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Comments

22 comments

Date Votes
  • FrancF
    I do it to mine all the time, Just as long its not the cheap-o plastic ones.
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  • MVP
    Not a good idea.
    If you do not work in a controlled environment there is dust in the air.
    If I needed anything I would use graphite sparingly.
    I have been useing precision measuring inturments for years and never have needed to lube them.
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  • kristov
    Personally advise against this. These devices are desinged to funtion without lubrication and oilling them could cause an inaccurate reading. If you absolutely have to use a lubricant I'd suggest sewing machine oil, which is a narrow cut lubricant which leaves little or no residue.
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  • daveald
    agree no oil for normal circumstances but if its stiff put a couple drops on it free it up and clean it off.
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  • FrancF
    LOL, This is not a class 10 clean room were talking here guys. Calipers in a garage. My Starrett Calipers still get cleaned.
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  • kristov
    Point taken Franc [:I]
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  • tobefree
    Having worked in a tool crib for 13 yrs...never mind... just follow link!!!
    http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-1620-TOOL-INSTRUMENT-OIL/dp/B000KUA2FI
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  • dongizmo
    http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/6070
    quote:For maximum protection and lubrication of measuring tools, precision instruments and light machinery and guard highly finished tools, parts, machine surfaces against rust.
    [;)]
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  • heliman
    If it drags like that it must be tweaked somehow. I have used dial calipers and micrometers for years and that has been my experience.
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  • MVP
    quote:Originally posted by heliman
    If it drags like that it must be tweaked somehow. I have used dial calipers and micrometers for years and that has been my experience.

    That was my thought or his lock screw is dragging.
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  • spurgemastur
    Midway's selling digital calipers on sale for $13 this month.....not sure if you have to get their flier to get that deal or not.

    That's assuming you're buying the argument that your dial calipers are somehow tweaked, as somebody above suggested.
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  • Zebra
    quote:Originally posted by heliman
    If it drags like that it must be tweaked somehow. I have used dial calipers and micrometers for years and that has been my experience.


    Agree 100% One of my first jobs was an calibrationist.
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  • FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by Zebra
    quote:Originally posted by heliman
    If it drags like that it must be tweaked somehow. I have used dial calipers and micrometers for years and that has been my experience.


    Agree 100% One of my first jobs was an calibrationist.


    I have lent out a few sets that were abused (Mitutoyo's, not my good ones[:D])anyway, guys getting grinder crap all over them etc that is the #1 thing. If they are not destroyed, light lube then a blow J of air, reset the zero and you will be within the .005 -+
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  • heliman
    Geez, .005"? I overhaul turbine engines, .0005", +/- .0002" are the tolerances I work with. I only use calipers for rough measurement. Micrometers mainly. Calipers are good for reloading and such activities, but not fot precision measurement.
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  • hunterws
    for working within .005, calipers are great.

    I've found if they move rough, its because some gunk got in the rack & pinion movement of them. Set the dial all the way down to 0.

    Take your air hose, blow out the gear teeth.

    Oil gear teeth liberally ... then blow off excess with air hose.

    Then move the dial from 0 - 6"/12" all the way out, back and forth.
    If there is still a smidge of debris, repeat until it goes smooth.

    I graduated machine tool in '93 [8D]
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  • Cutiegirlracing
    Go for it. It's a Caliper. If it has to be that precise then your using the wrong tool anyway. Calipers flex and are not going to be as accurate as a micrometers.
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  • gruntled
    I'm going to have to get me one of those new-fangled things. It's getting harder every day to read the Veneer calipers I've had for the last 46 years since I used to work at a spring company.
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  • tsr1965
    Working in a calibration lab, I happen to know that there is a little set screw on the top side of the caliper that adjusts the tension. Since starret makes calipers, mikes, and everything in between, I would say just a little speck would work well. If they get dirty(high pressure spray type), use break cleaner to clean them, and re-oil them.

    best
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  • dongizmo
    quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
    Midway's selling digital calipers on sale for $13 this month.....not sure if you have to get their flier to get that deal or not.

    That's assuming you're buying the argument that your dial calipers are somehow tweaked, as somebody above suggested.

    Everyday....
    http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/17282
    Don
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  • barto
    Most high-end calipers have a tiny little friction adjusting screw on them somewhere.
    Mght look around a little for that.
    [^]barto[^]
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  • mango tango
    NEVER OIL!
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  • dongizmo
    From Starrett:
    http://www.starrett.com/pages/74_precision_measuring.cfm
    quote:Maintaining Calipers & Micrometers

    Caring for calipers and micrometers is mostly an issue of common sense. These tools are delicate instruments, constructed to exacting tolerances and designed for long service. Keep them free of foreign particles whenever possible and when not in use, store them in their appropriate container. If you allow them to be left unprotected on a bench, they will probably be damaged.

    A light coating of high-grade instrument oil will also go a long way to extend the life of the tool. A note of Caution, resist the urge to spray the tools with some of the protectarant type oils. Instead, these products are designed to place a coating on the material so as to resist rusting. Were this coating to attach to the threads or teeth of the micrometer/caliper you will notice a change in the calibration. If the tools are to be stored for a period of time, the placing of a silica gel pack into the toolbox draw will also help to retard rusting.

    How often do you check the devices? With the advent of ISO certification this may be already predetermined by individual companies but a rule to follow on micrometers and calipers is to periodically throughout the day, close the measuring surfaces to assure that you are on zero.

    With mechanical tools you are not so apt to be far away but the addition of the floating zero to the electronic tools makes this more important as the button could have inadvertently been pressed.

    Recommendations for calibration, again, your company may have established a frequency for checking calibration but I would like to pass on a brief guidline on the subject. If a tool is under the control of an individual and is used in a normal measuring capacity (not abrasive), it normally needs to be checked by a technician once a year. If the tool is loaned from a central tool crib and is in use by many individuals. We recommend twice a year service.
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