Shopmade Tool: Accurately Measure Bores With an Indi-Calipers

Last modified: March 6, 2024

One of the most accurate ways to measure a bore is with a dial bore gage, but these can be really expensive and seldom used tools.  A nice Mitutoyo dial bore gage set is almost $400 as I write this.

I loved this gadget by gbritnell I saw on HMEM to adapt a DTI to the task:

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Precision measuring tool with dial face and Vernier scale.

A dial indicator gage on a light blue background featuring a round base, circular knob, and extended stem with fine teeth and a small hole.

Dial indicator gage with rotating dial and needle measuring small distances or clearances.

Pretty slick!

Snap gages are cheap, but take a lot of "touch" to be accurate.  Dial bore gages are one of the best metrology tools for bores, but they're costly.  These guys fall somewhere in the middle, but closer to the dial bore gage.  They'll need to be calibrated against a reference, but once that's done, they'll be quick and easy to use.

Dial bore gauge with black case and white face, featuring a silver stem and circular measuring mechanism.

Dial bore gage...

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