> Paul, > I was informed by several machinists that you should NEVER store your > calipers or micrometers in the "closed" position. Due to the expansion > and contraction of the metal the "frame" will warp, if you do. Of course > you should wipe the micrometer or calipers with a very light oil to > prevent any corrosion. Also, I'd advise that you store your mics & cals > in the box they came in. This will keep the dust and abuse away, IMO. > > Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon) As far as I know, I haven't ruined either caliper or mic by storing them closed, possibly because I don't store them closed, but storing them slightly less than closed hasn't been noticeably detrimental to their accuracy through a lot of years in often less than benign circumstances. Since it doesn't cost anything to not find out the hard way that storing them closed is harmful, I remain a slightly open storer. Hey, why would I risk a $15-$60 precision tool over a period of 20 years determining the veracity of a single premise when I can more nearly immediately risk a $50,000 piano testing a whole different set of generally accepted premises and learn a lot more much faster? No contest! On a positive note, I can report a conspicuous lack of corrosion on the jaws/anvils when (but not necessarily resulting from) storing them open. The fact that these tools are often made from stainless steel could be significant, and should be factored in. Seriously, not having done it any other way, I can't say from experience what the penalty might be for storing jaws closed. Ron N
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