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UNITS IN THIS COURSE

UNIT 1 WORKSHOP SAFETY

UNIT 2 CRAFT HAND TOOLS

UNIT 3 MEASUREMENT

UNIT 4 MARKING OUT

UNIT 5 TASK #1 - WORKSHOP PRACTICAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Para Page

3.0 OBJECTIVES 3

3.1 INTRODUCTION 4

3.2 ENGLISH SYSTEM 4

3.3 METRIC SYSTEM 5

3.4 TYPES OF MEASUREMENT 6

3.5 BASIC MEASURING TOOLS 6

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3.0 OBJECTIVES

The trainee will be able to:

Name two major systems of measurement of length.

List common units of measurement for both systems.

Identify various basic measuring tools.

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3.1 INTRODUCTION

There are two systems used to measure length world-wide, they are the Symmetric,
and the imperial systems. The metric system is the one that is used by most
countries. The imperial, often called the English or inch system, is used in the
United States and Canada. This unit deals with basic measurement. This is defined
as measurement taken with a rule or any other non-precision measuring tool. The
sizes taken can be in metric or imperial units.

3.2 ENGLISH SYSTEM

The unit of length in the Imperial system is the inch. The inch can be divided into decimal or
fractional divisions. The common units and their abbreviations are as follows:

Inch: in.

Foot: ft.

Yard: yd.

Mile: mi.

The conversions from one unit to another are as follows:

12 inches - 1 foot.

3 feet 1 yard.

5280 feet 1 mile.

If an object measures 14" long it can also be called 1 foot plus two inches. This can
be shown as 1 ft. 2in. or 1'2" ( means ft. " means inches).

Measurements below one inch are usually shown as fractions of one inch. Common
fractions are halves (112), fourths or quarters (1/4), eighths (1/8), sixteenths (1/16),
thirty-seconds (1/32), sixty-fourths ( 1 1/64)

If an object measures one foot plus three inches plus five eighths of an inch it would
be written as 'I ft. 3 5 5/8 in., or 1' 3 5/8.

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3.3 METRIC SYSTEM

The unit of length in the Metric system is the metre. The metric system is based on
multiples of ten. The common units and their abbreviations are as follows:

Millimetre: mm.
Centimetre: cm.
Decimetre: dm.
Metre: M.
Kilometre: km.

The conversions from one unit to another are as follows:

10 mm = 1 cm.
10 cm = 1 dm.
100 cm = m.
10 dm = m.
1000M = 1 km.

Parts of a metre are as follows:

Micro 1/1000000 (millionth).

Milli 1000 (thousandth).
Centi 1/100 (hundredth).
Deci 1/10 (tenth).

Unity:Metro - Litre - Gram.

Deka x 10 (ten).
Hecto x 100 (hundred).
Kilo x 1000 (thousand).
Mega x 1000000 (million).

Basic conversions from imperial to metric are as follows:

1 mile = 1.61 kilometre.

1 kilometre = 0.62 miles.
1 yard = 0.91 metre
1 metre = 1.09 yards
1 foot = 0.30 metres
1 metre = 3.54 feet.
1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
1 centimetre = 0.39 in

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3.4 TYPES OF MEASUREMENT

In engineering accurate measurement is very important. This is why we use a

precision steel rule, while other trades use wooden ones.

We must have international standards of length so that we can have

interchangeability. A component made in one country to certain dimensions, must be
the same as one made in another country to the same dimensions. A standard 8
mm bolt, made in Germany, should match a standard 8 mm nut, made in Japan.

Measuring tools can be grouped into either direct or indirect measuring tools. With a
direct measuring tool the size can be taken directly from the tool itself. An engineer's
rule is a direct measuring tool.

Indirect measuring tools, sometimes called transfer instruments, need a direct

measuring tool to read the size taken. Calipers are indirect measuring tools.

Sometimes distances have to be measured between two lines, or two surfaces or a

combination of both. When the size has been measured between two lines it is
called "line measurement". When a length is measured between two surfaces this is
called end measurement.

3.5 BASIC MEASURING TOOLS

Engineer's Rule

Accurate measurement of length is an important part of almost all workshop tasks.

The engineer's precision steel rule is one of the most frequently used measuring
tools in the workshop. They can be engraved with either imperial or metric
graduations, or both. They are made from hardened and tempered spring steel. A
workman should take care of his rule. The end, or datum face, must never get
damaged or the rule is useless. It should never be used as a scraper, a screwdriver,
or for removing swarf from a machine surfaces. After use it should be wiped clean
and lightly oiled to prevent rusting. The accuracy of a rule depends largely on the
skill of the craftsman. The way the eye sights the line will affect the accuracy of the
reading. (See Figure 3.1).

Figure 3-1

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A metric rule usually comes in lengths of 15 cm and 30 cm. The measuring accuracy
of a rule is up to 0.2 mm. On a metric rule the longest graduation lines represent
centimetres. The centimetre lines are divided in to ten smaller graduations
representing millimetres. Some rules have smaller 1/2 MM graduations between the
mm graduations. (See Figure 3.2).

Figure 3-2

Steel rules in imperial units are usually either 6 or 12 inches long. The measuring
accuracy of a imperial rule is up to 1/64th- It is common for imperial steel rules to
have four different sets of graduations, one on each edge, front and back. (See
Figure 3.3).

Figure 3-3.

The main disadvantage of steel rules is that they are often too short. To measure
longer lengths a tape rule is used. Tape rules are made of thin, flexible steel which
can be rolled into a metal case. (See Figure 3.4).

Figure 3-4

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Calipers

Calipers are indirect , or transfer instruments, because they do not have a scale to
measure distances. Measurements are taken by transferring the distance between
two faces of a component to a steel rule. There are two main types of measuring
calipers, inside and outside callipers. (See Figure 3.5).

Figure 3-5.

Calipers can be either firm or spring joint. Spring joint are usually for fine work, and
firm joint for larger sizes. (See Figure 3.6).

Figure 3-6

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The accuracy of calipers depends on the operators sense of feel, this comes with
practice.

The inside of a hole, or width of a slot, is measured with an inside caliper, by firstly
placing the points inside the hole. Then setting the calipers with the thumb screw
which holds the points in place. (See Figure 3.7).

Figure 3-7

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To check the size, the caliper is placed against a rule. There are two good ways to
read the size accurately. One is to line-up one of the caliper points with the ten
centimetre line, and then read off the size. Remember to deduct 10 cm from the
reading. The second way is to stand the rule on a good flat surface against a piece
of metal 901 to the surface. Place the calliper points against the rule and read off
the size. (See Figure 3.8).

Figure 3-8

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The method of using the inside caliper is important. As previously mentioned, it
takes a lot of care and practice to master the skill (become good at it). (See Figure
3.9).

Figure 3-9

Outside calipers work the same way as inside calipers except they are used on
outside dimensions of a piece of work. Outside calipers are also used to compare
two pieces of work, to make sure that they are the same size. (See Figure 3.10).

Figure 3-10

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The outside caliper is used mainly for checking diameters and widths, etc. When
you are cutting a piece of material it is easier to set the caliper to the correct size on
the rule first. Then check the cut with the pre-set calipers. Although skill is needed to
read an outside caliper, it is easier to use that an inside caliper. When the size is
checked against a rule one point can be placed against the end of the rule. (See
Figure 3.11).

Figure 3-11

Gauges

There are several types of special gauges used to measure or check component
dimensions. Gauges are used to make fast, fairly accurate checks to see if a
dimension is correct, or for high precision measurements.

A depth gauge is an instrument used to measure depths, such as shoulders of a

bore, or tee slot etc. It consists of three main parts, thin rule, a base (with datum
face), and a adjusting screw.

Feeler, or thickness gauges, consist of several thin metal leaves of different

thickness'. Each leaf has a common pivot which holds all the leaves together. The
thickness of each leaf is marked on the face. The pivot allows individual leaves, or a
combination of leaves to be selected, to check a required thickness. (See Figure
3.12).

Figure 3-12

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Feeler gauges are used to measure gaps, such as the gap on a spark plug. (See
Figure 3.13).

Figure 3-13

Screw pitch gauges, discussed in unit 2, are used to determine the pitch or
number of threads per inch of a screw or bolt. The gauge consists of several thin
metal leaves. One edge of each leaf has teeth which matches the different screw
threads. The pitch or T.P.I. is marked on each leaf.

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