How to Reset a Dial Caliper
Calipers are measuring tools used most often by machinists and engineers. They are easy to use and can be accurate up to .0005 inch in some cases. In order to assure that your reading is accurate, you may need to calibrate, clean and reset the calipers to the zero position. Once you have done so, you must also make sure that you have marked the date so that you know when you have done the reset. Handling and debris can cause inaccurate measurements, so it is essential to reset your dial calipers whenever necessary.
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Instructions
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Clean the dial caliper off with a clean cloth and some acetone to remove stubborn debris that has become stuck on the moving parts. Squirt some acetone on a clean cloth and wipe down the slide to make sure that the measurement dial can accurately display its location as the caliper is being used. Slide the thumb wheel back and forth quickly to clear any debris on the movable jaw as well.
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2
Slide the caliper's movable jaw until both that jaw and the stationary jaw are touching, which would be considered the zero position. Hold the calipers to the light and look for a gap. If there is one, open the jaws and re-clean the front of each jaw and repeat until no gap is seen. This will assure accuracy after the calipers have been reset.
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3
Loosen the top screw on the dial which will allow you to reset and adjust the bezel, resetting the calipers to the zero position. If there is no gap and the needle is pointing to dead zero, there is no need to reset them. If the calipers are closed and the needle is not pointed at zero, move the bezel until the needle is squarely positioned at the zero marker.
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Place a small gauge block in between the two jaws to make sure that the calipers are measuring correctly. Gauge blocks are accurate within .0001 inch, so they can be used after a reset or calibration. Make sure that the calipers are measuring along the entire length of the slide as close to the maximum possible measurement. Use gauge blocks and other calibration blocks, including 2-4-6 blocks, to check for overall accuracy, which should be within .001 inch.
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References
- Photo Credit caliper image by laviniaparscuta from Fotolia.com
