Lloyd Schultz posted: <<Is there a major difference between a micrometer and a dial caliper?>> Dear Lloyd, Yes, there is a difference and your choice of application determines which one would suit your purposes. I started out with a basic micrometer many years ago for measuring tuning pins, but was never satisfied with its operation. It seemed slow and awkward. I finally decided to purchase a caliper, however a digital one! Since that time that basic micrometer has become history for my particular uses. Measuring center pins, tuning pins, bass strings, and music wire are some of its uses with ease of operation and phenomenal accuracy. I even check all new inventory before using in a piano. There are package markings errors in the past, not much, but one time is too much if you try to work with parts that are inconsistent and incorrect and wonder what went wrong. There are also, sophisticated digital micrometers in the marketplace that do all these measurements as well that must equally be a joy to own and use, if not more so. I however, have not invested in one as yet. What an individual is willing to spend is usually the dividing line between wishing to have one of these current state of the art tools and needing to have one to perform the work at hand. Doing the job more efficiently, more timely, and more accurately is always the order of business from my point of view, and is worth the extra expense for the extra results. As for me and my household, I'm hooked. I fully intend never to have to return to the basic micrometer, anymore than I will hopefully never have to return to the typewriter (manual or electric) to compose and print these very words I post. Thank you for the oppor-tune-ity to elucidate. In fact, thank you Mr. Reeves for Pianotech!! Keith A. McGavern, RPT Oklahoma Chapter
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