digital calipers

[lockpicker69]

hi
i have been thinking of getting myself some digital calipers for a while now only problem is all the ones i have looked at are to wide to fit inbetween some cuts on mortise keys and i dont want to go ahead and file them down without first asking peoples advice on here
thanks richard .

[freakparade3]

Filing them down would ruin the accuracy. Check out some locksmith supply websites, they have ones made to measure keys.

[Shrub]

You wont file them they need to be ground,

You dont need to alter them,

Go to your loical Aldi to find them around £7-£8 each they are the cheapest but more than adequate,

To measure mortice keys you only need use the tips of the tool which have angles machined on them anyway, you can also measure the sizings from the top of the stem to the bottom of the cut,

Either way we all manage so i suggest you will as well, if you struggle to comprehend this let me know and ill stick a pic up for you but please dont ask unless your realy not sure as ive other things to do,

[lockpicker69]

my normal calipers fit in ok but all the digital ones i have seen are tapered out meaning i cant get them between say a number one cut and a deep number 6 .ground or filed i was just asking if anybody had done this ? i opened up the box in aldi/netto i cant remember which shop ,but what i did remember was they was very poor quality ,i cant see them lasting very long unless anybody knows otherwise ,also there was no fine adjustment wheel on them and the lock wasnt very good .
been looking at these .what do you recon?


http://www.jlindustrial.co.uk/AGMT5-001 ... oduct.html

[questions]

i picked up 6in digital off ebay for less than 10 dollars and been using it to check root depths on all my manufactured keys and it comes within a thousandths of an inch. I just got done impressioning a american lock with serrated top and bottom, and spoolerated pins. Without the digital caliper, it would have been alot harder with the serrated pins. So im pleased with my 10 dollars well spent. Hope it keeps its accuracy.

[marv711]

The digital ones can be a pain. The batteries go out cost you 5 or 6 bucks every time. My case is not tight so the 'on' button gets hit and days later you find that the battery is dead. I am going to find a nice analog one or if you could find a solar one it would be cool.

[Shrub]

been looking at these .what do you recon?


http://www.jlindustrial.co.uk/AGMT5-001 ... oduct.html

They are the SAME as the ones Aldi sell,

I gave you my advice or did you not read it? if you read it why ask others for advice as if you havent

Digi calipers DO fit,

Aldi calipers are cheap but very much up to the job,

I can measure a max depth cut on nany key against a zero cut on any key with mine,

A bad worker always blames his tools, a good worker is one who learns how to use his tools,

If you want to be that accurite and have somthing nice to play with i advise you go and buy a More and Wright 0-25mm micrometer and then get the tips for measureing small bits, you may find you need a 25-50 once the bits are on but youll never have any issue measureing anything even cuts on a mortice key

[Shrub]

While im here, what keys you measureing?

Most can be read with a 6" ruler and good eyesight,

[Raccoon]

I own this set I purchased from Brockhage

http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=471

They've been very reliable, and at $23 USD.

[jimmysmith]

check out harbor fright tools. its a tool stoe.. they carry digital calipers for cheep... come in a nice case to.

[Shrub]

LP69, im sorry if i sounded a bit harsh on that one i didnt mean to be,

Basically dont worry we all use unmodified calipers quite werll, if you want a few pics of how to do it ill sort you somthing out this weekend,

Have a go with a cut key and list of depths for it and see if you ca replicate the sizes,

[lockpicker69]

no probs shrub .
i have taken a few pics of some new didgi calipers i have just got from lidals,i am real chuffed with them £8.99 with fine adjustment .i am going to start a database of all the cuts on mortise keys and yes please i would like you to post them pics .i will upload mine 2morow at band praci to night
richard.

[globallockytoo]

Here's a challenge for all you engineering types.

Design and build your own caliper for mortise keys.

I built one in trade school 25 years ago...out of brass...making my own screws and bolts with a die....tapping my own threads....turning brass rod down on a lathe....worked brilliantly...till my tool box got nicked!

They are quite simple to make...just time consuming but the sense of achievement is worth it.

[freakparade3]

I'd like to add for those of us that are left handed take a good look at the micrometer/caliper before you order. I have the digital micrometer from Foley Belsaw, I have to put it in a clamp to be able to use it or the window is backwards.

[Shrub]

Should have got a manual mike