Repairing My Dial Caliper

The Dial Caliper is like a third hand to me. I use it in almost all of my hobbies particularly woodworking and metalwork. Last week, it caught on to my shirt and fell. The pointer on the dial was knocked loose and the end of the depth rod was damaged. I repaired or reset the pointer mechanism and flatten the damaged end of the depth rod. I then honed the tip back to its original length and verified the accuracy of its measurement. I got it to within one one-thousandth of an inch which is accuracy beyond my needs. I'm happy to share my experience in this repair.

[@nefariousyawn]

Some people might just toss the whole thing and buy another cheap one. I appreciate your resourcefulness.

[@MrAlexanderk69]

thank you for the video !!! It was very useful for me !!!

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

You’re welcome.

[@dannywilsher4165]

That was enjoyable to watch. Mine is a Starrett but it probably works about the same inside. I wouldn't be afraid to take it apart now that I watched you. Thanks, Will!!!

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

You’re welcome. When it broke, it removed the fear from me. How worst can it get? Let me know how you did.

[@dannywilsher4165]

@@willshomeworkshop9386 If I ever take it apart, I will certainly make a video...

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

@@dannywilsher4165 I will watch it if you do. Good luck.

[@brianjohnson217]

Thank you for your interesting video regarding repairing the dial caliper. I'm always very carful with my measuring instruments but the next time one gets accidentally knocked off the workbench and goes wildly out of zero it won't end its life in the waste bin.

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

You’re welcome. I too am careful but accidents do happen. I’ve had that caliper for a long long time. I’m just happy that I was able to fix it.

[@user-tj2mw8fd1y]

Благодарю за наглядный видеопоказ разборки стрелочного (циферблатного) штангенциркуля. Становится понятен принцип его действия. И этот ремонт похож на ремонт механических часов. Здесь главное - не сомневаться в своих силах, и всё получится.

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

Thank you for stopping by and watching my video. When I dropped and damaged my caliper, it was not usable anymore. I didn’t risk much by opening it up. If I fixed it, good for me. If not, I didn’t lose anything. Life will always give you problem or opportunity. It’s how you respond that matters.

[@henrytupper6959]

I have an assortment of defective dial calipers. Is there much difference from make to make ? Have you done a video on dial indicators ? Thanks it is helpful.

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

I've only fixed this kind of caliper. So I wouldn't know how other brands do their mechanism. I broke this one when I dropped it so I was either going to fix it or throw it away if I couldn't. Luckily I was able to deduce how the mechanism worked. I have a Mitutoyo that was given to me by a friend. I hardly use that one as it's expensive and also metric. I don't feel brave enough to open it. As for dial indicator, no, I haven't had a chance to break one or fix one yet. I hope to keep it that way..
Thanks for watching my video.

[@devanshusharma7118]

Are both the pinion gears in tension with the bigger gear wheel?
In my calipers, the spring between one of gear is coming out.

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

I called the two gears the pinion gears but I was wrong. The two brass gears should actually be called the drive gears. The pinion gear is the one on the spindle shaft to which the pointer attaches to. It is actually behind the plate and is not readily visible.
Anyway, yes, the two drive gears have to be in tension to function properly. Behind the brass gears are springs that will maintain the tension. Once that spring is damaged, you can’t maintain the tension. The spring is very delicate so probably not repairable.

[@devanshusharma7118]

@@willshomeworkshop9386 Noted. okay then there is problem with one of drive gear spring. Thanks for the help. I will try my luck with the local watch repair guy... let's see if he can fix that.

[@devanshusharma7118]

@@willshomeworkshop9386 just to confirm, the two drive gears should be spring loaded 'individually' with the smaller gears mounted on them. Right?

[@willshomeworkshop9386]

@devanshusharma7118 When I repaired my caliper, I didn’t dismantle the gears to actually see the setup. But from my deductions, the two drive gears are connected by springs to another set of drive gears behind.
The second set of drive gears is then meshed with the pinion gear on the spindle which will be in the middle of the mechanism.
Thats how the pointer is always maintained in tension with the two front drive gears. If anyone can repair the springs, I bet a watchmaker can. Good luck.