One Hand Operated Depth Gauge

I came across this in an old American Machinist Magazine, and thought it would make a simple project, that would produce a handy bit of kit.

This is what I came up with :-

Its very Simple to use

Just press the rod until its reaches the bottom, the spring loaded plunger keeps the rod in place.

Then zero the digi vernier on the thick bar and then take the direct measurement of the hole depth,

I knocked this up in a couple of hours this morning.

Stew

That looks to be an excellent idea.

Brian

Why is it when you swear that you will not add any more to the list of things to do some smart Alec (or Stew) comes up with another thing you want to make.

Nice job Stew.

regards

Should work well, its working principle is identical to my smaller one! (The pin is only necessary if you want to take the probe out).

Today I managed to cross something off my "To-do" list when I turned this:

into this:

Happy days.

Thanks for the drawing Stew.

Jim

Nice Job Jim

Stew

Just a thought, would a 118 degree taper on the end of the pin be better for the depth of a drilled hole?

Depends where you want to measure:- depth of full diameter or to the point also the point is a radius so I guess a pin with a radius would be the way to go. For full diameter simply drop a rod in of known diameter and length and measure to the top of that, but to be honest most jobs wouldn't require that amount of precision.

Stew

Neat bit of kit, but ......

My digital caliper gauge does the measurement directly with a sticky-out bit on the end. No machining required.

John H.

I'v got a depth gauge somewhere, it spans 6" and I made it when I was wood turning 30 years ago, handy for gauging the depth of bowls, and other cup shape turnings.

Ian S C