Taking measurements with calipers
Now that we have a general idea of what we want to accomplish, it’s time to take some measurements. If you already have calipers, then you are one step ahead of those of us who had to use a tape measure to get decent dimensions. For those who don’t have calipers, you can get some cheap ones at any art store or online.
What are calipers?
Calipers are tools that measure the size of an object, typically of mechanical parts, with higher accuracy than tape measurement tools. There are two different versions of calipers – a digital one and a manual version (see Figure 6.8). I would suggest getting a digital one but if you’re on a budget, a simple, manual two-dollar one will work just fine. I would also recommend getting a metric version since having a round number, rather than a number and a fraction, can make your life easier when taking measurements.
Figure 6.8 – A manual caliper
Calipers...