These new Woodpeckers woodworking calipers have the appropriate tagline of “Measure like a Machinist.”
Woodpeckers took a classic tool for precision measuring tasks, and upscaled it.
The company says their new BigCal calipers combine machinist-level accuracy and furniture-sized scale.
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There are two sizes – 12″ and 24″, both with similar ruler sizes and measuring heads.
As with precision and machinist-style calipers, these can be used for both outside and inside measurements.
Both sizes feature a stainless steel ruler with a dual-scale that has 1/32″ and 1mm markings, and an oversized knob for locking in the moveable jaw position.
The BigCal can also be used as a depth gauge. This works because the opposite side of the ruler has the same measurement scale in reverse.
There’s a scribing notch cut into the end of the ruler.
Woodpeckers bundles the BigCal calipers with a bent metal wall rack.
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The rule is made from stainless steel, and the fixed and moveable jaws are made from red-anodized aluminum.
Introductory Pricing
- 12″/300mm: $80
- 24″/600mm: $100
- Combo Set: $170
Woodpeckers announced the BigCal calipers on social media, but haven’t sent any emails out yet. The website has both slashed-out and discounted pricing, suggesting that the prices may go up after an unspecified introductory period.
Shipping ETA: August 31, 2024
COO: Made in USA
Discussion
They don’t specify the ruler thickness, but it looks sufficiently thick in the videos so as to avoid wobbling.
The BigCal can be used as large-scale calipers, and also for depth measurements. Additionally, it can also be used as a T-square, at least in a pinch.
Woodpecker’s video shows off plenty of uses where precision measurements aren’t needed. In that respect, the BigCal can also be used to transfer measurements without having to read the actual scale, in a similar fashion as with a story stick or marking gauge.
The prices seem reasonable for USA-made measuring tools.
I’m not sold on the design yet, but it looks like it could be useful.
John
Just don’t understand these. So many cheaper calipers that accomplish the same task. These add nothing but cost. I’ve built enough in my days and don’t see a need for these. I was given 12″ digital calipers as a gift and have yet to use them. Those can be had for under $50 and are more accurate. Heck plastic standard calipers will do no worse than these Woodpeckers metal ones. Glorified wall decorations.
Bonnie
Yeah, and wood is just fundamentally not a material that needs this kind of precision at anything over a foot. It’s going to swell and shift and move before you’re done with your operation anyways.
I have a handful of Woodpecker tools that I do like, but the vast majority of their stuff really do seem like solutions in search of problems, and this really exemplifies that trend.
Jared
I don’t know that they “add nothing”. They seem overbuilt for what I’d need, but sometimes I’m willing to pay premium prices for premium tools.
This isn’t one of those times for me personally, but I could see someone wanting these calipers if they do the sort of work where they would be used often.
Fred mentioned some excellent alternatives that would do everything I need – but these Woodpecker calipers do look better.
BigTimeTommy
Plenty of people like to be seen overpaying for Woodpeckers stuff. I don’t understand it but it seems to be a badge of honor for some.
Nathan
Does the thumb wheel actually adjust the measurement like a real caliper? Thing is I have a real 6 inch and 12 inch dial caliper. I’m a little surprised it doesn’t measure in 1/64th or even 1/128th. You with a tag line measure like a machinist. Sorry can’t help be be negative as most woodpecker tools are over priced and ridiculous often. This is one of the first I’ve thought about buying
But what’s wrong with a 12 inch combination square? And I think there are 24 inch ones. I have an empire 12. I guess all said I don’t so much see the purpose of these in any woodwork I do.
fred
My largest combination square is an old Starrett with a 36-inch blade, Currently – that blade alone costs way more than what I paid for the set (head and blade) back in the 1980’s
https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-CB36-4R-Combination-Graduations-Protractors/dp/B0002FUM2E
Dave
Im thinking hard about buying the 24″.
I cant find a 24″ caliper that can measure both outside and INSIDE dimensions at that price. Cheaper ones lack the INSIDE capability or are only 12″ long. If you want both outside and inside capability at 24″, they are more expensive. Of course they have better resolution also.
If you look at the WoodRiver ones mentioned below, they show a picture measuring hole spacing on a machine using them. That is a perfect use for a caliper that large. But the inside measuring capability is lacking on the WoodRiver calipers.
The compromise is the 1/32″ resolution on the Woodpecker calipers.
If someone can show me a cheaper caliper that is 24″ long, can measure outside and INSIDE dimensions and is cheaper, I’d buy it today.
Dave
Stuart
Fowler has one for $200+
https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-085-024-Stainless-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HDMQQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
There’s one from “Precise” for $100, but I’m not familiar with the brand.
https://www.penntoolco.com/precise-heavy-duty-large-vernier-caliper-24-600mm-lc-024/
Both have the inner jaws machined into the outer jaws.
fred
Garrett-Wade sell this one:
https://garrettwade.com/product/garrett-wade-black-calipers
Lee Valley sells this:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/marking-and-measuring/calipers/58730-48-inch-transfer-caliper?item=09A0115
Jared
Good alternatives!
Scott K
I’ve never heard of Garrett-Wade before, but I like the look of their caliper for a gift. It seems like they have a really large range of products – are they generally high quality?
fred
When I knew the company, they were located in Manhattan on 6th Avenue just north of Canal Street. They were one of the first places that sold Lie-Nielsen planes in the 1980’s. They now have a presence in Brooklyn NY and Ohio. Once mostly a woodworking tool store – they seem to have morphed into a mail-order (now Internet) emporium for both tools and gadgets (sort of a lesser Lee Valley – without LV’s Veritas manufacturing arm).
Another – Brooklyn-based company of note is Tools for Working Wood :
https://toolsforworkingwood.com/
sparsparkster
They began to sell using a catalog about 1975. I remember them fondly, they sold what I considered high value woodworking tools. They sold themselves as a teaching tool business. For a while they tried to sell their catalog for $5 refunded with a purchase that didn’t last long. I wish I could remember their slogan it was really quite good.
I trusted them to sell the best. When they stated this is a quality tool I believed it.
They sold Inca power equipment back then and I trusted them enough to purchase a saw, planer and small bandsaw.
That was then and this is now. Their quality claims are not what it once was, but the world has changed.
I don’t know their business so I assume they had to roll with the times. Shame it had to go that way.
Dave
I have purchased the Garrett-Wade socket brace and a set of WWII reproduction screwdrivers they had on special and I have not been happy with either.
But that caliper is looks nice and is cheap enough. Very hesitant to purchase it from GW however.
Dave
Scott K
Thanks – I think I’ll try the Lee Valley version
fred
You got me to look at that “socket brace” and it sure looks cheaply made. The exposed ratchet mechanism was the hallmark of “cheap bit braces” back in the day when that tool was THE cordless drill. I have several different bit braces – branded Irwin, Millers Falls , North Bros., Stanley and Yankee. The North Bros. one that I have is the smoothest operating. You still see some on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166522297311
BigTimeTommy
GW is mostly cheap garbage marked up for hipster purchase
Koko The Talking Ape
I’ve been looking for that cheap Lee Valley guy! Thanks!
Chris
Pass.
Without any sort of vernier/dial, these don’t amount to any more than a really expensive marking gauge (without a marking point). Please find me a “Machinist” that measures to the 32nd of an inch.
A 10 second search found these for $35 with a real scale.
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-24-aluminum-vernier-caliper
Robert
If I wanted calipers that large, this seems the best alternative all around.
Stuart
That has 1/16″ markings with 1/128″ vernier scale.
Is a fractional vernier scale useful here for working with wood? For example, is it helpful to have a measurement of say 15-3/16″ plus 5/128″.
As you say, 1/32″ is far from typical machinist tolerances – that’s more than 0.03″. Frankly, if you’re working with wood and fractions, 1/32″ is okay. That’s just a little better than working with mm (~0.040″).
Tomas
Got a shipping notice for these. They’re over 2 months early! Should be here Monday the 13th.
Koko The Talking Ape
Pretty nice!
Lee Valley sells “Bar Gauge Heads” for $17 that does some of what these caliper things do, both inside and outside measurements. You rip your own 1/4″ x 3/4″ strips of wood to fit, any length you want. They work fine, but there are no ruler markings of course.
They used to sell something similar, but instead of rigid metal or wood bars, they used a coil of metal tape, like the tape from a tape measure. Two plastic hooks or gauge heads slid along the tape. Cheap and very handy, because the extra length just rolled up on the side. Sadly, they seem to be gone forever.
TomD
Short description has “Woodpeckers launched a new measuring.”
I was hoping for something to finally replace the foot/inches and cm/mm fight, but no. 😉
Bonnie
Bring back cubits! /s
Stuart_T
And Roman numerals!
Stuart
I use Roman numerals on occasion. They’re useful for I) lists, II) headings, and III) other things.
I also use unary numeral system for tally marks. I had to count out how many of 24 types of things I had. The unary system made it far easier than otherwise.
Stuart
Whoops! Thanks – *fixed*!
BigTimeTommy
This is the only place I’ve ever seen “Woodpeckers” and “Prices seem reasonable” in the same blurb 😂
Nathan
Yeah seeing the Garret wade one I take back what I said. For the milled Al and the all it’s not as bad a price as other woodpeckers stuff
Meanwhile I’ve used a folding carpenters rule and a combo square for most things.
Sky
Its a shame they don’t have decimals on metric and whatever factorial for Freedom units. I need to know 10.7 vs 9.8mm
Peter
I am not sure why some people get worked up over companies like Woodpeckers.
If a product of a company is too whatever I just move on since I am obviously not in the target market.
Plain+grainy
I think we are lucky to have an Ohio company, that constantly turns out innovative tools. If they are no help to you, just look elsewhere. I have a few Woodpeckers tools. Each has many possible uses for me, i love their multitasking ability. I think mass producing quality tools is extremely expensive, so their high prices are probably justified. I think I would have added a grove with multiple sliding fingers, which could mark more story stick measurements.
Stuart
The aluminum parts are machined from solid aluminum and then anodized.
You’re paying for the materials, machine time, design efforts, and customer service, and maybe a premium that supports the business and their product development and experimentation.
kent_skinner
“Measure like a machinist” all the way to 1/32″. LOL
Woodpeckers makes some nice gear, but a low resolution, stupidly expensive caliper is 100% not on my list of woodworking tools.
Plain+grainy
I guess there’s a woodworker machinist, and a metal working machinist. 1/32” probably is adequate for most woodworking applications.
fred
In fact – for some of my woodworking/furniture making I do the first bit of rough measuring/dimensioning then I use things like jigs, fences, stops and templates to cut pieces to the same dimensions. I guess you could make a batch of cabinets, cases or drawers by measuring, marking and cutting each piece individually to the 1/64 or 1/32 of an inch. But it is easier and more consistent to just replicate one piece after another after the first piece is cut.
Plain+grainy
The measuring is needed when replicating an existing piece of furniture. Or when fitting a built in piece into an existing space.
fred
Yes indeed – but even then, sometimes templating beats measuring. Before there were laser/computer measuring systems for countertops, we used a combination of Masonite pieces and hot glue to fabricate exact fitting templates from which we’d build the snug countertops.
In my cabinet making – the toughest thing for me is the measuring and hand fitting needed for making inset (especially double) doors with equal reveals all around. I start with what I think is precise measuring – but almost invariable I need to sneak up on the fit that I want. IMO full overlay doors are always easier.
Plain+grainy
If your working from plans that is. You can get away without measuring if the furniture is within reach.