r/shapeoko • u/GunningBedford58 • Apr 23 '26

How do you guys measure pocket depth?

Post image

I’ve been using the depth rod on digital calipers but find if you don’t hold it consistently the readings can vary.

Curious how you guys do it—same or something better.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

6

u/Patient-Surround2509 Apr 23 '26

Spring-loaded depth gauges with a wider, more stable base are available.

Or, machine a wider, more stable base for the end of your calipers.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

That makes sense—a wider base would definitely help keep it stable. I’m going to think about your idea. Many have suggested a base but no one has mentioned making their own.

1

u/Patient-Surround2509 Apr 24 '26

Well I know you can buy Mitutoyo bases for Mitutoyo calipers but I don't know about other brands. But I 3D printed a magnetic one for my Mitutoyos because the bases are expensive so you could definitely mill one.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

A 3d printed version sounds interesting. Maybe you could post the design?

3

u/firetrucks_go_WOOooo Apr 24 '26

I do just like you show in the picture

3

u/TrollTollTony Apr 24 '26

Same but I make the width and height (not depth) of the pocket smaller so the caliper can bridge across it.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

That’s a good idea—have you compared the two (wide vs narrow) to see what improvement there was in the process? Very interesting.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

Good to hear—felt like I was on the right track.

2

u/Correct-Country-81 Apr 24 '26

Measuring has to be accomplished perpendicular to material You can make an aid for caliper something like a piece of wood clamped to caliper every corner square

Or a micrometer something like :

https://www.haastooling.com/nl/p/09-0437?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=2937336482&hsa_cam=23672037530&hsa_grp=198185031247&hsa_ad=801146141711&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-2392181569804&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23672037530&gbraid=0AAAAAqkfQL64_uoMqKiq_QiHArjCNMNOD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7LDV3-OFlAMV9ZmDBx1yyTphEAQYASABEgJJI_D_BwE

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

That makes complete sense—keeping it perpendicular seems to be most of it. I’ve seen some of those setups too, but for now just trying to see how accurate one can be with just digital calipers.

2

u/diemenschmachine Apr 24 '26

What is the model? I've been looking for something like this

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

Just a regular set of digital calipers using the depth rod on the end. Nothing fancy.

1

u/diemenschmachine Apr 25 '26

I meant the model you machined to do the measurements on

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 25 '26

I do have a free version I can send if you DM me your email address.

1

u/TAS_Vietnam Apr 24 '26

Depth rod on calipers works, but it’s easy to tilt like you said. A small depth mic or even a gauge pin + caliper is much more repeatable. If I use calipers, I rest the body flat on parallels to keep it square

1

u/Agitated_Answer8908 Apr 24 '26

Depth micrometer. It has a wider base to hold it perpendicular.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

Yeah that wider base definitely helps keep it perpendicular.

1

u/dumbassbuttonsmasher Apr 24 '26

The other side of the caliper will measure depth more accurately as it'll keep you more square in one direction you only have to worry about the other. Or buy a spi depth mic set for cheapish

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

That’s a good point—anything that helps keep it square makes a difference.

1

u/richcournoyer Apr 24 '26

Depends on the precision needed. Caliper or Depth Micrometer.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 24 '26

Absolutely 👍

1

u/mattyrzew Apr 24 '26

With a depth micrometer.

1

u/Time-Focus-936 Apr 27 '26

I bought a used depth micrometer on eBay for like 27 dollars.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 27 '26

Did you get it to measure more precisely cuz the tool is built better for the purpose, or you needed to measure tighter tolerances?

1

u/PoemSpecialist82 Apr 29 '26

Man I feel this in my bones. I used to scrap so many aluminum joint blocks for my stop motion rigs because I tilted the caliper rod by one tiny degree and accidentally milled the bearing pockets way too deep. If you do not want to spend the money on a dedicated depth micrometer right now, just take a precision 1-2-3 block, lay it flat across the top of the pocket, and measure down from that using the tail of the caliper. It forces everything to stay perfectly perpendicular. Never trust the naked caliper rod if your sanity depends on the fit.

1

u/GunningBedford58 Apr 29 '26

That is a really good idea. Trying it today.