Is this micrometer outdated? Worth fixing? Is it missing parts?

[FastKat]

I have an old Brown & Sharpe 1 inch micrometer. It is in good condition with it's share of wear. I am trying to decide whether I should keep using it or buy a new micrometer... maybe a really cheap Chinese one, maybe a digital one, who knows. Not looking to spend a lot of coin.

I have two problems with this one:

1) I cannot calibrate it. I see that you are supposed to stick something pointy into the tool but when I do that nothing happens. I think it might be frozen?

2) Is it missing a rachet end? Is that what goes in the threaded end? I think some of the newer micrometers have ratcheting ends that act like a torque wrench, letting you get a consistent pressure on the workpiece every time, leading to a more repeatable measurement.

Those are really my only two gripes. Should I try to fix this one up, or just get a new one?

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Re: Is this micrometer outdated? Worth keeping? Is it missing parts?

Send it to me.

 

[Lt1cobra]

I'm no expert but shouldn't it be a 'friction turning knob' at the very end of the handle?

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Brown and Sharpe are still around, but I'm uncertain how good they are at helping out with old tool repairs.. brownandsharpe.com

Those look to be good ones to save, as it appears they have carbide (wear resistant) measuring faces.. One easy and inexpensive way to clean this up would be to unscrews the thimble / spindle and turn the "boggered" up end on a lathe.. Doing that and provided the thimble turns freely, and once checked against some gage blocks, you should be good to go..

Here's a picture of what the typical "ends" look like, one on the left is a ratchet slip the other appears to be more of a standard non slip end..

Good Luck..

 

[sometoyotaguy]

Use it as is and find a decent one on eBay. I bought a nice starret for $30 or so.

 

[bob15]

I'm no expert but shouldn't it be a 'friction turning knob' at the very end of the handle?

Many do not have friction knobs on the end. Personally, I try to avoid them....have no use for them.

To the OP: I would look for a good (even an all pieces there and spins smoothly) used Starrett or even better a good B&S on ebay.

 

[Whitworth]

If you have an actually need for a micrometer the answer is that's a 50 cent item at a garage sale and not worth the effort.

Gary

 

[sonvolt]

I would look for a used replacement, whether it be B&S, Starett, or Mitutoyo

 

[leg17]

I have two problems with this one:

1) I cannot calibrate it. I see that you are supposed to stick something pointy into the tool but when I do that nothing happens. I think it might be frozen

Will that little wrench rotate the barrel sleeve to line up the ZERO?

 

[FastKat]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So what do you do - just try to turn the knob to the same torque every time?

(This one came from eBay!)

Many do not have friction knobs on the end. Personally, I try to avoid them....have no use for them.

To the OP: I would look for a good (even an all pieces there and spins smoothly) used Starrett or even better a good B&S on ebay.

Ah hah, the little wrench will turn it! I was pushing in there hoping for something to release, but you just use the hole to pull. It's now zeroed in! Thanks!

Another question while we're here - what is the purpose of the grey sleeve in the below picture. (It is usually covered by the thumb wheel.) It has two notches in it which line up with the notches in the other end of the wrench.

Will that little wrench rotate the barrel sleeve to line up the ZERO?

 

[sberry]

Easily replaceable from a couple different directions.

 

[Steinmetz]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So what do you do - just try to turn the knob to the same torque every time?

(This one came from eBay!)



Ah hah, the little wrench will turn it! I was pushing in there hoping for something to release, but you just use the hole to pull. It's now zeroed in! Thanks!

Another question while we're here - what is the purpose of the grey sleeve in the below picture. (It is usually covered by the thumb wheel.) It has two notches in it which line up with the notches in the other end of the wrench.

the sleeve is used to adjustably limit the thread backlash.

 

[FastKat]

Very cool, thanks for the info. My micrometer is now zeroed and has the backlash adjusted.

I think what I have now is going to work. Though the ratchet wheel would be nice, I rarely measure into the ten-thousandths, so getting the perfect tension on the workpiece probably isn't a priority right now. I think I can get close enough by feel.