When using a micrometer, do you use the ratchet?

We are only asking the important questions today. Do you use the ratchet??

Top Comments include:

• “Consistency is key, and really that's all that matters. If you can get the same measurement with whatever method you use, then it's a good method. I personally prefer the friction thimble, but I can get the same results using the ratchet types we have around the shop as well.”

• “I never use it. I "feel" the set.”

• “50 years as a machinist. Never used the ratchet”

• “Try it on a Gage Block, with feel and then Ratchet or Friction. Then you know the most accurate method of measurement.

  I worked a lot of Aviation/Mill Spec where tools got calibrated on regular intervals. Depending on the technician in Calibration, tools would read plus or minus a tenth depending. Multiple clicks of the ratchet can give different readings. Know where you stand, and if having an inspector check your work, be prepared to provide the Gage to confirm your Micrometer reading.

  An inspector with a heavy hand, cranking down like a C Clamp, can make an easy job become a real pain.

  That's the beauty of Indicating Micrometers and Bore Gauges, it neutralizes the difference in everyone's method of feel.”

• “When I first started I was fortunate to be able to work with a retired machinist who also taught at a local vocational school. He taught me to practice with standards both with the ratchet and thimble. You should get the same measurements by hand as well as 3 clicks on the ratchet. Eventually you will get the feel. Another old trick he taught me was never to look at your mic when your taking measurements. If your looking at it, you might be coerced into giving it a little bit more or less. Try it. Best of luck.”

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How would you do this???

This post reach 90K+ people and quickly generated over 700 comments. Here are a few of them…

• “Bolt it to a 90 degree angle plate held in the 4 jaw or on a face plate”

  • “yep that's the way to go. Angle plate bolted to a face plate. Depending on size of lathe, may need to remove bed gap to accommodate angle plate”

  • “yep and a counter weight maybe to balance it, weld a support bar from the back of the flange your machining and bolt on the faceplate somewhere to stop vibration.. bit of mucking around but can be done”

• “Could grind a profile into a piece of round bar, weld it to the back of the bend in the pipe, grip the job on the flange, machine round bar true with the flange then swap round and grip on the machined bar. Cut it off and polish it up when done.”

• “I would hold it to a CNC mill table, vertical or horizontal. You don’t even have to use a face mill for the roughing cuts; circle mill it close and then finish with a shell mill or even an endmill”

• “It's not going to the moon as you said ,, Send it to inspection and determine if both faces are proper on 90° ,, Then, a gasket should work .. The machining is all ready done and material is already thick enough to avoid distortion. Welding Setup Skills is the key here ... You're just adding a more complicated machining setup and cost..”

• “I was a machinist for over 33 years. Have to make several parts very similar but not exactly like this. We had the elbow part scaned. That had a shop that my brother worked at mill 6 pieces out of graphic. Them we burned a filter in our ramEDM machine. than bolted it to a vise where the jaws bolted .Than milled it in a vertical mill. Turned out great.”

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