I found a little treasure the other day. A digital caliper that gives fraction-of-an-inch readouts on the screen. It's the "FastenerCal" model. Very handy for tip tube size measurements when you have to make that pesky translation from mm to 64ths of an inch to get a tube size for a top (why are we still doing that?). It only goes down to 32nds but it's simple to double the top number and Bam - tube size. It's from a company called igaging if you want to find one for yourself. It has other modes too. For people trapped in the zone between Imperial and Metric measurements. Maybe everyone has these and I'm behind the curve.

I have their "EZ-Cal" model. Price is right.

I like the Fuji TS21C for tube sizing better but calipers are nice for lots of jobs.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Jim,
Another Caliper with 1/64th fraction display on the screen.

[www.amazon.com]



Here is another caliper with 1/128 inch fractions
[www.amazon.com]

Here is another caliper with 1/128th inch fractions.
[www.amazon.com]


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Thanks for opening my eyes Jim. I had no idea that any of the calipers could display an answer in fractions.

Take care

Ultimately, the metric system of measurements is MUCH easier than our imperial system. The metric system is a “base 10” method to measure; 1-10, 10-100, 100-1000 and so on. Our system is a jumbled mess, 16oz = 1lb, 16 fl oz = 1 pint, 128 fl oz = 1 gallon, 12 inches = 1 foot, 3ft = 1yard, 5280ft (now there is a nice round number) = 1mile; all cause for confusion and difficulty in computing. But the one thing so many Americans find most important, MONEY, is a “base 10” system! How come 16 cents doesn’t = a dime and 128 cents = 1 dollar?
U.S. industry (auto in particular) tried converting over quite a few years, but all fell short of the ultimate goal. Actually many, if not most, fasteners on US autos are now metric. I don’t think the machining industry in the US ever tried converting at all; everything is still based on 0.001in. Therefore, I admit to sticking with the inch system for my machining as well as other measurements so as not to be confused by jumping back and forth. I simply have a “Decimal Equivalents” chart mounted at eye level right next to my mill that converts decimals of an inch to fractions, mm, number and letter drill sizes. I use my calipers to measure how many thousandths the tip of the blank is and look at the chart to convert to 1/64s. The nice stiff plastic chart costs less than $5.00 from McMaster Carr.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

We really missed the boat not converting to the metric system, it would be ingrained by now! Have gave Canada a "head fake" and they went ahead.

Phil Erickson Wrote:
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> We really missed the boat not converting to the
> metric system, it would be ingrained by now! Have
> gave Canada a "head fake" and they went ahead.

Phil... Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act in 1975...and then we ignored it.

But metric is the way to go when working out guide spacing projections.
I will put the first guide from the tip at 10cm and the butt guide 55cm from the middle of the reel seat.
Then progressively space the rest 12cm,14cm...etc...etc adjusting the butt guide if needed.
Now this is not how I always do it...but this works most of the time.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2022 10:29AM by Chris Catignani.

Chris, I think you meant cm rather than mm. I also find spacing guides using the metric system much easier than dealing with fractions of an inch. For my entire working career as a scientist we used the metric system exclusively for everything we measured, including temperature.
Norm

Norman Miller Wrote:
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> Chris, I think you meant cm rather than mm.

Yes...your so right. Funny thing...I have two old rulers (made in USA) that are labeled MM and the hash marks are 1,2,3...etc.

Those of us in the machining industry just keep bulgering along. It is ultimately a shame, though.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I know that the metric system is easier but I know imperial. I have to use both in my real job so thank you Google conversions. For tip diameter measurements I just use that plastic tip device with the holes in it and the measurement by them. I have never bought an electronic caliper that did not break or just quit working but I have dial calipers that I have had for over twenty years.

I have never had a digital caliper fail… because I have never owned one! The same medium-quality dial caliper I have owned and used for >30 years works just fine! Same for my micrometers, depth and height gauges.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Mark Talmo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have never had a digital caliper fail… because
> I have never owned one! The same medium-quality
> dial caliper I have owned and used for >30 years
> works just fine! Same for my micrometers, depth
> and height gauges.

DITTO!

Mark, they are handy for quick and dirty go/no-go stuff. Like is that shaft 15/16", 25mm, or 1".

The EZ-Cal is works and I needed something anyone could use. My personal is a Fowler....and yup it probably is 30 years old LOL!

Russ in Hollywood, FL.