Paper Gage Micrometers
Here is a sampling of Paper Gage Micrometers I have picked-up over the years. First vertical row starting from left: 1) Brown and Sharpe No. 230 the oldest in my collection, would fit handily in a vest pocket (early 1900s). 2) Brown and Sharpe No. 230 A much later model with micro tensioning (the smaller dial mechanism on the right to keep from tightening the micrometer too much on softer paper.) 3) Moore and Wright No. 50 Made in Sheffield, England, it has micro tensioning, and a clamp ring for the barrel so the micrometer can be removed from the paper without affecting the measurement. Top right-hand row: 4) L. S. Starrett No. 223M Metric Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring for the barrel. Note the finger ring used with the middle finger for greater ease in handling. 5) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard paper gage with micro tensioning, and clamp ring, an earlier version of the next two micrometers. 6) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring. Probably the newest of my collection as it is larger and clunkier than the other Starretts. 7) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring. The most used model in my shop. Note the more slender finger ring, more like the oldest one at the top of this row. It probably dates from the 1940s or 50s. I use these micrometers to measure the thickness of paper to be printed, and tympans and packing in order to get the press set-up as accurately as possible, and to reduce the makeready time on the press. Most presses have about 1 mm of packing, which in thousandths is 39.37 of an inch. Makeready of course is the process of adding or subtracting packing in order to get the optimum impression. When one starts with a standard thickness of tympan and packing it is much easier to calculate whether altering packing or adjusting the press is the best method of setting up the press for printing.
Paper Gage Micrometers
Here is a sampling of Paper Gage Micrometers I have picked-up over the years. First vertical row starting from left: 1) Brown and Sharpe No. 230 the oldest in my collection, would fit handily in a vest pocket (early 1900s). 2) Brown and Sharpe No. 230 A much later model with micro tensioning (the smaller dial mechanism on the right to keep from tightening the micrometer too much on softer paper.) 3) Moore and Wright No. 50 Made in Sheffield, England, it has micro tensioning, and a clamp ring for the barrel so the micrometer can be removed from the paper without affecting the measurement. Top right-hand row: 4) L. S. Starrett No. 223M Metric Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring for the barrel. Note the finger ring used with the middle finger for greater ease in handling. 5) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard paper gage with micro tensioning, and clamp ring, an earlier version of the next two micrometers. 6) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring. Probably the newest of my collection as it is larger and clunkier than the other Starretts. 7) L. S. Starrett No. 223RL Standard Paper Gage Micrometer with micro tensioning, and clamp ring. The most used model in my shop. Note the more slender finger ring, more like the oldest one at the top of this row. It probably dates from the 1940s or 50s. I use these micrometers to measure the thickness of paper to be printed, and tympans and packing in order to get the press set-up as accurately as possible, and to reduce the makeready time on the press. Most presses have about 1 mm of packing, which in thousandths is 39.37 of an inch. Makeready of course is the process of adding or subtracting packing in order to get the optimum impression. When one starts with a standard thickness of tympan and packing it is much easier to calculate whether altering packing or adjusting the press is the best method of setting up the press for printing.