Micrometers are some of the most versatile tools in the toolbox and are often the
first tool that inspectors reach for on the
shop floor.
"Micrometers are relatively inexpensive and readily available to the industry," explains Michael Gabrenas, director of research and development for The L.S. Starrett Co. (Athol, MA). "Plus, users can easily be trained to operate them. Also, standard micrometers can typically fulfill the accuracy requirement for most applications. Add the fact that they are portable and easily modified for special applications and you can see why a micrometer is usually the first tool a machinist will reach for when taking a measurement."