Tool Recommendation: 6" Dial Caliper

Why this indispensable device measures up

For today’s subscriber-only post, a practical tool recommendation. With a fun twist. ~JRC

---

---

Okay, so I'm on another tool kick, and this has me thinking about my go-to implements, those devices I reach for consistently as I bang out projects in my shop. I couldn't live without several of these, like an X-Acto knife, my Starrett 12-foot tape measure (and its 3.5-meter twin), an automatic center punch, and my favorite mechanical pencil, the Pentel P207 0.7 mm. But something that might top even these essential maker tools is my 6" dual scale dial caliper.

What makes this tool stand out? Well, a caliper is the best everyday tool for measuring something within tiny fractions of an inch or millimeter. This exactitude is not always needed, but when getting it right means dialing in the measurements, a good dial caliper is unbeatable. Better still, having one handy lends itself to measuring stuff for no other reason than "just because." And what you learn in doing so opens up a whole new dimension in how the made world is made. (Like Legos! Read on to learn more.)