chiwia | & | [| { 8 | axees / TECH TIPS Precision Measuring Tools Micrometers: Warning: Never store a micrometer with the measuring tips closed. Thermal expansion and contraction will damage the micrometer. One of the things | noticed while working with someone | observed that the micrometer they were using has never set to zero. See the sketch on the xX right. | was mortified, how can you determine if the parts are good or bad without having your micrometer set to zero? | was told that they just “eyeballed” the reading… why bother using a micrometer then? | asked for the case from the micrometer and the little tool with a C on each end was there (see picture on left). | took the tool and set the micrometer to zero and was told “Wow, | never knew what that thing was for”. There is a small hole on the sleeve that the tool fits into to adjust the zero by turning the sleeve till it lines up with the spindle. To take the readings the ratchet mechanism must be used (some are on the end as shown in the sketch and others are a spring built into the handle). They are designed to control the torque and give consistent readings. To get the reading simply take the number from the sleeve of the lines that have been passed and add the number from the spindle that lines up with the line that the numbers are on. For example the reading on the right would be 11 (from the “A” scale) plus 0.50 (from the “B” scale) plus 0.35 (from the “C” scale on the spindle) making 11.85. Dixie Tech Tips are intended for use by professional technicians, and are not for the general public. They are written to inform technicians of conditions that may exist or as a guide to aid in diagnosing and servicing a vehicle. All references to original equipment manufactures, vehicle manufactures and any other Trade Mark names are for the sole purpose of identifying the vehicle and or part that the Tech Tip applies to. This document is property of Dixie Electric Ltd. and is not to be copied or distributed with out written permission.