1983 Suzuki GS1100ED --- "Big Boy"

I've always referred to those as a micrometer (I pronounce it ... My-crom-mih-ter) and/or "micrometer gauge". I didn't know the correct term is Vernier Caliper. Learn something new every day.

It's not, vernier caliper is actually a specific type of caliper, not a micrometer. It's kind of like the difference between a digital caliper and a dial caliper, although it's a step "below" dial calipers. Slightly difficult to read, most likely why dial calipers are so popular, not sure why OP wants one, but to each their own.



There are however vernier micrometers, which along with reading down to the thousands, read down to the tenths, or .0001".

this mic, for example (assuming this is a 0-1" mic), is reading .2558"

That's crazy. I went into an O'Reilly's a short while back and asked the lady standing by the door if they had a vernier caliper. She walks behind the counter, stands in front of her computer and looks at me and says very earnestly "what make and model car sir?"

I've always referred to those as a micrometer (I pronounce it ... My-crom-mih-ter) and/or "micrometer gauge". I didn't know the correct term is Vernier Caliper. Learn something new every day.

Originally Posted by Flaming Chainsaws
Yeah... I wish I picked a different career path. I'll look around.

As far as being an automotive tech in this day and age ... Good Luck finding employment! My best friend is a Master ASE certified tech, along with a couple other certs and when he got laid off from a shop, (it ended up closing). It took him 11 months to find a decent paying shop. When he was let go he was making $35/hr. During the search he was offered $15 maybe $18. Finally found a place that offered him $25. AND after being employed again for 1.5yrs he is moving to another shop that offered him $35/hr plus bonuses. (All this is in the state of Connecticut. So taking for what its worth.)

Since the economy has taken a direct path to the crapper, lots of shop owners are trying to get by paying good qualified techs half of what they are worth and those just beginning (like you) even less. IF they decide to hire you. You will have to do lots of foot work to find employment. Once you are employed, even more to find a good shop. Unless you luck out. I wish you the best!

Yeah... I wish I picked a different career path. I'll look around.

I've been in the automotive business wrenching for 20 years and am down to 7 ASE's right now. (2 expired)

It's not an easy field to be in, good benefits are hard to come by and since pay is productivity based it's easy to work yourself to death. It's always long, hard, dirty hours, but if you're fast you can make good money.

Problem is most guys can only be fast so long before they get burned out, or injured. I ruptured 2 discs in my back a few years ago that I'm not recovered from. I was out of work for over a month, and my employer did next to nothing for me. When I finally got back, and they saw I could no longer make the production numbers I used to they quickly transferred me to a location that did mostly tires (that I can't do) so I couldn't make any money and was forced to quit.

If you decide to continue down this path I highly recommend you take extremely good care of yourself physically. You're young now, and may not think it's important, but try asking all the guys I know with bum knees, hands, backs, elbows, and whatever else that find it hard to earn a living now.

I have a Mitutoyo. Didn't realize it was a good name, I got it from my brother.

Is his name Ned Flanders? And how did you "get it"?

I have a Mitutoyo. Didn't realize it was a good name, I got it from my brother.

I have the ubiquitous digital caliper that I bought at Canadian Tire.
It is great for checking to see if things are widely out of spec but if you are machining of need to verify measurements in which cumulative inaccuracy will lead to disaster then you need good tools.

You also need to know how to use them and take proper care of them.
I cannot measure well and recall the day in machine shop when the teacher embarrassed the class by having them measure parts. No one did it well or in a professional way.

CT has 1 inch micrometers for15 bucks stay away form these unless you want a throw away tool. Torque wrenches are another item that has a market flooded with dubious quality equipment. No one here is making spaceships but I refuse to believe a 40 dollar wrench can be accurate or durable.

Just now? Let us know if it's good or not .

Got the bike started today. Low on gas . Fuel tap seems to be clogged as well. Fuel flows slowly on prime. But the gas tank is super clean inside . I'll check it out. I may have to buy a new fuel tap though.

Will do. I bought it mostly to measure out steering tubes and bearings for fork swaps.

Just bought that one, I'll let you know.

Just now? Let us know if it's good or not .

Got the bike started today. Low on gas . Fuel tap seems to be clogged as well. Fuel flows slowly on prime. But the gas tank is super clean inside . I'll check it out. I may have to buy a new fuel tap though.

I think once you get out of the high dollar ones it's a crap shoot. And for that price if you get some use out of it it's worth it.

Haha! Speaking of calipers, I need one of those. Wonder if those eBay ones are any good?

I know about the Mitutoyo and Starrett calipers but not in my budget.

What you think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/6-inch-LCD-Digit...item4156fcb5ae

Just bought that one, I'll let you know.

I can't imagine that there's any measurements you'll do that require the type of accuracy that comes with the $200 Mitutoyos. I've used these cheapies for gen and motor brushes in wind towers, and they're "close enough"

That's crazy. I went into an O'Reilly's a short while back and asked the lady standing by the door if they had a vernier caliper. She walks behind the counter, stands in front of her computer and looks at me and says very earnestly "what make and model car sir?"

Haha! Speaking of calipers, I need one of those. Wonder if those eBay ones are any good?

I know about the Mitutoyo and Starrett calipers but not in my budget.

What you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-inch-LCD-Digital-Vernier-Caliper-Microme-ter-Guage-/280632276398?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4156fcb5ae

I went to O'Reilly's 2 weeks ago and saw that they had a Now Hiring sign at the entrance. So I asked for details. Submitted my application and resume but I was told that I was not qualified. I am certified in SP/2, ASE, AYES, ACDelco, student of the year and student of the quarter (2 times!) at an automotive school, have a history (although short) building and racing Toyota's (which make up most of the cars on the road today).... Forgive me if I'm being a bit cocky but I believe that I am more qualified than that dip**** that has no idea what some people are talking about. He makes up excuses just so that someone else that knows what they're talking about to help the customer.

That's crazy. I went into an O'Reilly's a short while back and asked the lady standing by the door if they had a vernier caliper. She walks behind the counter, stands in front of her computer and looks at me and says very earnestly "what make and model car sir?"

For what it's worth I have been turning wrenches full time since 07, I have had 7 jobs since then, due to shops shutting down, moving, Saturn closing, and a number of other issues, however when **** starts to hit the fan I print off a bunch of resumes and go door to door at any place that I would work at, if possible I fill out the application there. I have not been without a job since I started in this field. Just my .02 I work with so many idiots, hate to see someone who seems to be worth a damn give up now.

[chef1366]

Do you have a test light and a basic understanding of electrics? I've mapped my way through a few burnt harnesses and just rewired them.

FC, don't get down about your career choice. Good techs are ALWAYS in demand. I have worked for Toyota for 22 years. We always have at least 1 high school kid here shadowing a tech.
If you really want to become an auto tech and like Toyota you should really look into thier T-TEN program. We have a couple techs here that went through the program and it really helped them, not to mention opens other doors within the company.
Your shop teacher should be setting up summer jobs in dealrships for you guys.
Youg people with ambition and work ethic enough to learn this trade are getting hard to find. Seems like you have that.
PM me if you want more info