For future reference, we are looking at adding a class on measuring to the metalshop’s catalog.
A fairly recent donation filled up that red husky cabinet with thickness gauges, ball gauges, dial indicators, and a bunch of nifty magnetic stands for the mills among other things… though, we’re a bit lacking on the caliper side.
There’s also a slot in the end that fits on the head of a nail. Not exact, but close enough for a number of things.
It can be used to measure out circles as well.
For me its measure twice, wonder why they are different, measure again, get distracted, month later wonder why there are pencil marks all over the place.
Saw a thread on garage journal asking why nobody made high quality tape measures. From his description of high quality, I took it to mean fancy. Like cnc machined aluminum case and stainless hardware. I thought, why would anybody want to lose something that expensive!?