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Properties
Height gauges are usually mounted on flat, heavy bases. An adjustable scriber tip, used to measure an object's height, slides up and down along a scale that measures distance. A fine-tuning wheel enables increased accuracy and readout is either by a dial or digital display. Many height gauges enable measurement of an object by using the top and bottom of the scriber. Height gauges can measure objects and also mark lines on them.
Dial and Digital
Dial and digital height gauges each have different advantages in measuring. A height gauge using a needle in a dial provides a clearly visible readout and is ideal for spotting changes in heights along a surface. Digital height gauges offer higher accuracy; some digital height gauges are accurate to 0.001 inch. Digital height gauges also have the advantage of being able to convert different measuring scales.
Measuring Techniques
The measuring techniques for dial and digital height gauges remains the same. Before measuring anything, clean the surface of the object and the height gauge to ensure accuracy. Once clean, set the approximate height using the scriber and the measuring scale. Once the scriber is gently resting on the object, lock it in place. A thumb on the fine-tuning wheel makes the final adjustment, before locking the tuning wheel. The reading is available on either the dial or digital readout.
Tips and Maintenance
Because height gauges make precise measurements, cleaning and regular maintenance is essential for accurate use. Scribers need cleaning after use, either with a damp cloth or using oil. If the scribers detach, storing them in a box should prevent damage. Temperature in storage and in use should range between 41 degrees Fahrenheit and 120 degrees Fahrenheit and nonhumid conditions provide better accuracy. For continued calibration, use a single solid object with a known height, preferably metallic or insusceptible to height changes through ware, which the height gauge can use as a benchmark.