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ExHempKnight OP t1_j92o92l wrote

Reply to comment by tlove01 in "The longest-lived micrometer than can be bought." J.T. Slocomb micrometers and stand, all fully restored by myself. Each mic is between 70-120 years old, and they're all still accurate. by ExHempKnight

It really is. Since I've started this journey of precision work, I've really gained an appreciation for how important the tiniest of distances really are. And that everything is rubber.

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agnarxrist t1_j939305 wrote

What do you mean by “everything is rubber”?

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ExHempKnight OP t1_j93adnm wrote

Everything is flexible, to some degree. Drop a feather onto a pool table, and the weight of that feather will bend the slate of the pool table. It's a tiny, tiny, TINY amount, but given appropriately sensitive equipment, you will find that there's a deflection.

When you're measuring down to 3, 4, or especially 5 decimal places, even the heat of your breath can distort a part a measureable amount.

Robin Renzetti has a great demonstration of this, if you're curious. Skip to 31:00 for the relevant part.

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phuntism t1_j93g2qp wrote

For those who watch the video: If you skip to 31:00, you need to watch to 35:49, to see why he's doing this testing on his carpet? :)

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zyzzogeton t1_j93of6q wrote

Adam Savage has some interesting discussions about his journey towards precision. Pask has a similar kind of arc as well on his channel. The hallmark of craftsmen is that their tastes become more and more exacting over time. The tools needed to accomplish that become more and more specialized and beautiful too.

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ExHempKnight OP t1_j93wnid wrote

I've enjoyed Adam Savage's journey. Wild to see someone I admire so much, have the same kinds of struggles and learning experiences that I have.

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