Magnetic couplings are popular with many modellers who desire the automatic uncoupling of rolling stock in their...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How do magnetic couplings work?Read more -
Can Dapol rolling stock couple to Graham Farish rolling stock?Read moreModern Graham Farish and Dapol rolling stock should in theory couple together with little problem. This is thanks to...
-
What are the common DCC decoders formats?Read moreAs the DCC standard is still evolving, there are several different sizes and formats for DCC decoders.To give you...
-
How can I best clean my brushes after using enamel-based paints?Read moreCleaning brushes after using enamel-based paints can be a bit trickier than cleaning them after using water-based...
-
What does "DCC ready" mean?Read moreYou may have noticed that in more recent years whenever you purchase a new locomotive that there is a little label on...
Why is a caliper useful for scale modelling?
A caliper is often an essential tool, yet one that can easily be overlooked or underutilised. While you may relegate the caliper to the depths of your toolbox, only to be retrieved once in a blue moon, for others it is an indispensable instrument without which their craft would be severely hindered.
So what is the role of the caliper in your world of modelling? Simply put, the caliper is a precision measuring device, crucial for the accurate recreation of scale models. In its most common form, it resembles an adjustable spanner, with a ruler-like scale positioned where the handle would be on a traditional tool.
Calipers allow you to meticulously measure the dimensions of reference materials, parts, and components with a level of precision that would be virtually impossible to achieve with a standard ruler alone. The accuracy of modern calipers can be as fine as 0.005 millimetres (1/200th of a millimetre), making them ideal for capturing the intricate details of a 1:72 or 1:48 scale model.
They come in a variety of forms, from high-tech digital models to more basic, compass-like designs. The digital calipers offer the ultimate in precision, with easy-to-read displays and the ability to switch between imperial and metric measurements. The simpler, mechanical calipers, while perhaps not as technologically advanced, still prove invaluable for quickly measuring parts and ensuring parts fit together seamlessly.
Calipers can be used in two primary ways. First, the "jaws" of the caliper can be used to grip a component, such as a scale engine part or a tiny bolt, to precisely measure its width, depth, or other critical dimensions. Alternatively, the caliper can be placed into a gap or opening, with the jaws expanded to snugly fit the space, thereby allowing you to accurately measure the inside dimensions of an assembly or structure.
Whether you are scratch-building a scale model from raw materials, or carefully assembling a highly detailed kit, the humble caliper is an indispensable tool. From ensuring the correct proportions of a 1:32 scale aircraft to meticulously fitting the components of a 1:24 scale car, the caliper is a versatile instrument with countless applications.
So what is the role of the caliper in your world of modelling? Simply put, the caliper is a precision measuring device, crucial for the accurate recreation of scale models. In its most common form, it resembles an adjustable spanner, with a ruler-like scale positioned where the handle would be on a traditional tool.
Calipers allow you to meticulously measure the dimensions of reference materials, parts, and components with a level of precision that would be virtually impossible to achieve with a standard ruler alone. The accuracy of modern calipers can be as fine as 0.005 millimetres (1/200th of a millimetre), making them ideal for capturing the intricate details of a 1:72 or 1:48 scale model.
They come in a variety of forms, from high-tech digital models to more basic, compass-like designs. The digital calipers offer the ultimate in precision, with easy-to-read displays and the ability to switch between imperial and metric measurements. The simpler, mechanical calipers, while perhaps not as technologically advanced, still prove invaluable for quickly measuring parts and ensuring parts fit together seamlessly.
Calipers can be used in two primary ways. First, the "jaws" of the caliper can be used to grip a component, such as a scale engine part or a tiny bolt, to precisely measure its width, depth, or other critical dimensions. Alternatively, the caliper can be placed into a gap or opening, with the jaws expanded to snugly fit the space, thereby allowing you to accurately measure the inside dimensions of an assembly or structure.
Whether you are scratch-building a scale model from raw materials, or carefully assembling a highly detailed kit, the humble caliper is an indispensable tool. From ensuring the correct proportions of a 1:32 scale aircraft to meticulously fitting the components of a 1:24 scale car, the caliper is a versatile instrument with countless applications.
Posted in: Kit building
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Related posts
-
Do I need to wash my plastic kit?I personally wash all my plastic kits, I use warm soapy water (Washing up liquid) and a light rub over with a nail... - What is Milliput?Milliput is a two-part epoxy putty. There are two different colour rolls in a box when these are mixed together it...
- What modelling tools do I need to get started?Most modellers have an extensive tool kit, a tool for every eventuality. But when first starting a scalpel or a...
- How do I remove parts from the sprue?The short answer is carefully. The best way is with a sprue and plastic cutter but always be mindful of exactly...
- Do I need a cutting mat?It is not essential to have a cutting mat, but it is a good idea. It saves getting in trouble with your significant...