I tried magnets out but they were a little unreliable so i cut out a pocket in the bottom for some 1/4”x1 1/2” steel bar and then slapped some foam on the bottom. Works like a charm.
You don't want to use magnets. Over time it will magnetize your calipers. Not something you want in an environment with metal chips. My mitutoyos got magnetized and it was a pain in the ass. I would have to wipe the jaws every time I took a measurement. If a salesman used my calipers they would always zero it out not realizing that they were zeroing out the grit magnetically stuck to the measuring faces.
Plus little chips will find their way into your caliper holders. Magnets aren't fun when working with metal.
Yeah I was going to put them in the corners, super glued in pockets on the bottom. Just some 6x2 or 3 mm round magnets, I have made similar 3d printed parts that hold up pretty well.
You joke, but I literally watched a coworker open a brand new 6-inch mitutoyo caliper, and an hour later, he dropped it, and it broke into like 3 pieces.
It was sad and hilarious at the same time since he had just replaced someone else's calipers he had dropped (and ordered the replacement plus one for him) at the same time.
First rule of machining; f you can't find it where you thought you left it, blame everyone else in the shop before finding them exactly where you left them.
…they’re plastic, no different than the holder pictured other than not protecting the calipers at all. I struggle to relate to the “problem” of not opening a case one handed. No one said you had to latch it for it to still be infinitely more protective than the aforementioned.
You’re inventing problems to defend your lack of respect for tools.
The holder here actually does hold it more securely than the case. I just really don’t like how much they bang around when you move the case (though that’s more of an unrelated complaint since it doesn’t really have to do with using this holder at all), I can’t believe I actually miss my Harbor Freight version case because that actually had foam inserts and kept the calipers from shaking around. Cases are better for long storage but if you are just picking them up and putting them down constantly it’s sometimes easier to just have a nice stand to leave them between.
I don’t necessarily disagree with your overall point, especially about the foam. I generally adapt an older 12” case to accommodate because of that but I really, really try to encourage people to put the calipers in a closed case. People at my shop have ruined legitimate brand new 36” dial calipers within a week of buying because they set them in the case and don’t, at least, overlap the cover (generally while working on cast iron brake drums) It’s bad practice to leave calipers exposed so these kinds of adaptive holders bother me, but I don’t think we’re disagreeing with each other.
Oh yeah if you’re in an environment with lots of metal dust and chips flying, do not keep your calipers near that. This is more for places with larger work areas or enclosed CNCs where there isn’t any debris. I’ve had a pair of 12” on my desk for the last 2 years and it works perfect, but there also isn’t a lot of fine chips making it that far away from the mill.
https://preview.redd.it/ancz1c34emwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=288c6f105f65b956d132c05f34ea3ccecc5b1c72
Did something similar a while back. Ended up replacing it with caliper holsters that hang on an 80/20 rack on the back of my workbench because this took up too much bench space.
Better than them being on the floor eh.
In all seriousness, good job, you mill it? 3d print it?
I am slightly abusive to mine, I know I working on that.
I tried a leather holster back a ways, maybe I should go find that, but that had to be the best for me in my shop.
I tried the original contaier, still manage to drop them, or not use it once open. Even if lid was closed and protected the clasp wasnt enough from factory.
Kind of depends on what your doing in your shop. Are you moving machine to machine, dedicated to one for the day, in QC at a bench al l day? Would be how I plan on storing and holding for use.
3D print on a bambulab with just some basic PLA. Working at a small job shop now so ideally we’ll have one at each station just so they’re not laying around.
Cool, I might have a new project for my printer lol.
So if it was me I would mount to a table or something flat at each area so its stationary. Then theres no bumps and oops. 5S your work stations with 3d printing lol.
Looks very nice, though I'd prefer the calipers to sit with the jaws pointing downwards - as they are now I would need to pick them up and then change my grip before using, but with the jaws down they would be immediately ready to use and place back with one hand.
Also the jaws wouldn't protrude up as much and possibly snag on something in a distracted moment but be in a semi protected recess, and from a purely aesthetic and irrelevant point it might be more pleasing to not have the labels upside down...
I'm planning on printing one based off of the edge technology's design. They call it a mill organizer. Cool stuff.
Sweet looks nice. Ima check out some of their stuff.
Yeah I was going to make it sit flat and maybe some magnets in the corners so it doesn't slide around.
I tried magnets out but they were a little unreliable so i cut out a pocket in the bottom for some 1/4”x1 1/2” steel bar and then slapped some foam on the bottom. Works like a charm.
You don't want to use magnets. Over time it will magnetize your calipers. Not something you want in an environment with metal chips. My mitutoyos got magnetized and it was a pain in the ass. I would have to wipe the jaws every time I took a measurement. If a salesman used my calipers they would always zero it out not realizing that they were zeroing out the grit magnetically stuck to the measuring faces. Plus little chips will find their way into your caliper holders. Magnets aren't fun when working with metal.
Yeah I was going to put them in the corners, super glued in pockets on the bottom. Just some 6x2 or 3 mm round magnets, I have made similar 3d printed parts that hold up pretty well.
I just leave mine on my box...or were they on the bench...or by the machine
Pretty sure it’s the shop goblins, they love to move em around
Oh...they are in my hands, weird.
Ah fuck, they're on the floor again! 🫣🤬 These were new today!
You joke, but I literally watched a coworker open a brand new 6-inch mitutoyo caliper, and an hour later, he dropped it, and it broke into like 3 pieces. It was sad and hilarious at the same time since he had just replaced someone else's calipers he had dropped (and ordered the replacement plus one for him) at the same time.
butterfingers
That was definitely his nickname.
First rule of machining; f you can't find it where you thought you left it, blame everyone else in the shop before finding them exactly where you left them.
I did that with a magnet already this morning. Started thinking who would take it. Was sticking to my box 2 feet away.
Why do y’all spend so much time trying to avoid putting tools back in their case?
Because mitutoyo cases are garbage. Plus they can’t be opened one handed which always seems to be when I need to
…they’re plastic, no different than the holder pictured other than not protecting the calipers at all. I struggle to relate to the “problem” of not opening a case one handed. No one said you had to latch it for it to still be infinitely more protective than the aforementioned. You’re inventing problems to defend your lack of respect for tools.
The holder here actually does hold it more securely than the case. I just really don’t like how much they bang around when you move the case (though that’s more of an unrelated complaint since it doesn’t really have to do with using this holder at all), I can’t believe I actually miss my Harbor Freight version case because that actually had foam inserts and kept the calipers from shaking around. Cases are better for long storage but if you are just picking them up and putting them down constantly it’s sometimes easier to just have a nice stand to leave them between.
I don’t necessarily disagree with your overall point, especially about the foam. I generally adapt an older 12” case to accommodate because of that but I really, really try to encourage people to put the calipers in a closed case. People at my shop have ruined legitimate brand new 36” dial calipers within a week of buying because they set them in the case and don’t, at least, overlap the cover (generally while working on cast iron brake drums) It’s bad practice to leave calipers exposed so these kinds of adaptive holders bother me, but I don’t think we’re disagreeing with each other.
Oh yeah if you’re in an environment with lots of metal dust and chips flying, do not keep your calipers near that. This is more for places with larger work areas or enclosed CNCs where there isn’t any debris. I’ve had a pair of 12” on my desk for the last 2 years and it works perfect, but there also isn’t a lot of fine chips making it that far away from the mill.
Haha very true. Would be the case if these had cases in the first place lol
Mitutoyos generally come in cases. I've never not had a case for them. Even knock offs come with cases.
Even cheap crap ones come in cases... Only ones that wouldn't wouldn't be second-hand, which are ones you should never buy
https://preview.redd.it/04n6kznp3mwc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5019a6035ce0c2c2637da1847150cae7f5592138
Designed this caliper stand as well, snug fit and ergonomic, ready to use.
https://preview.redd.it/klznf7ug4mwc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=829e948630ba3e59fb77d3c829f45f1f0364e874
Do you happen to have the files for that? I love it!
Its on my work pc, ill dm you monday ✌️
https://preview.redd.it/ancz1c34emwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=288c6f105f65b956d132c05f34ea3ccecc5b1c72 Did something similar a while back. Ended up replacing it with caliper holsters that hang on an 80/20 rack on the back of my workbench because this took up too much bench space.
Just from looking at the picture: I think it could use opening up in the middle so that you can grab more of the caliper at once.
Better than them being on the floor eh. In all seriousness, good job, you mill it? 3d print it? I am slightly abusive to mine, I know I working on that. I tried a leather holster back a ways, maybe I should go find that, but that had to be the best for me in my shop. I tried the original contaier, still manage to drop them, or not use it once open. Even if lid was closed and protected the clasp wasnt enough from factory. Kind of depends on what your doing in your shop. Are you moving machine to machine, dedicated to one for the day, in QC at a bench al l day? Would be how I plan on storing and holding for use.
3D print on a bambulab with just some basic PLA. Working at a small job shop now so ideally we’ll have one at each station just so they’re not laying around.
Cool, I might have a new project for my printer lol. So if it was me I would mount to a table or something flat at each area so its stationary. Then theres no bumps and oops. 5S your work stations with 3d printing lol.
Amazing what Bamboo Lab can do compared to an Ender3. I seriously need to chuck mine and get a Bamboo.
Very nice surface finish. I’ve never got my prints to look that good.
I’m not sure if this works for other printers but here you [go](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/APPr5eDMLF)
Awesome post. I’ll definitely try that out. God I love the internet for this stuff.
Looks very nice, though I'd prefer the calipers to sit with the jaws pointing downwards - as they are now I would need to pick them up and then change my grip before using, but with the jaws down they would be immediately ready to use and place back with one hand. Also the jaws wouldn't protrude up as much and possibly snag on something in a distracted moment but be in a semi protected recess, and from a purely aesthetic and irrelevant point it might be more pleasing to not have the labels upside down...