4 replies to this topic

[Chris Barnes]

The new rules using the caliper extensions, I feel, are a positive technique in tech. However I have a question in the technique to make the measurement.
There are several sets of contacts to use in making the measurement, mainly a. Point and a flat surface. Which is the recommended contact to use? I am concerned if the point is used. The measurement can be altered, based on the human pressure used in making the measurement. If too much pressure is applied the point could penetrate the paint and penetrate into the plastic, resulting in an incorrect thickness measurement. The flat circular contact should not protrude through the paint, providing a potential thicker measurement.
Using the extensions is an improvement in. Making this measurement still could have an inaccurate value. I personally think there will be less variation using the flat contact, however it still could be a little inaccurate. I think it could take the human element out of it.

I am not trying to cause more drama. As an ex reliability engineer I always wanted to make a measurement repeatable.

[Dominator]

Hi Chris,

 

The attachable jaws seen in the photo of the original post come with multiple sets of anvils.  I tried all the various anvils with the kit and mixed some (round and flat for example).  The most consistent measurement I found were using the two rounded anvils.  You are correct that with a dial v.s. ratcheting micrometer  there will potentially be a human factor.  That being said no one is out to "crush bodies".  The only goal was to have a rule in place to address the bodies being pulled from thinner material and to have a more level field of racing.

[Chris Barnes]

I totally agree and thank you for the hard work and effort you made to get this done. I have received my set from Amazon today but havent got to make any measurements. I Thank the BOD to clarify this. There are too many opinions in racing these toy cars and you guys get no reward for doing this hard work. Thank you

[Jay Guard]

Hey Chris:

 

Thanks for the appreciative words, we on the IRRA BoD have really worked hard to try to come up with a realistic way to check the Stockcar bodies.  The caliper adapters really work well and I've found that adding an extender (silver part-see below) to the anvils allows you to check any body, even the uncut ones.  As you well understand it's imperative that the anvil on the concave side is rounded, the anvil on the convex side can be rounded, slightly rounded, or flat.  Nonetheless it still takes a bit of "feel" to get consistent measurements.

 

[S.O. Watt]

Dom. Its not a ratchet, its a torque limiting clutch.