How to keep caliper tips from cutting into fin?

[Slalom.Steve]

My caliper tips are super sharp (as I believe most are), and they easily cut a little notch into the front of the fin when measuring length.

Any tips on avoiding this? Can I use a diamond file to dull the caliper tips, or would that throw off the measurements too much?

[swbca]

You could soften the edge of the caliper tip a very slight amount, or you could do nothing. Either way it will not make a difference in your skiing. If you believe that,  doing nothing would be my choice.   A third choice would be to fill the notch in the fin with the original JB weld. It has the best bond and is almost black.  Just make sure you shape it to match the fin's edge, or you might suspect the epoxy could affect your skiing.  

 

[BraceMaker]

Just be gentle.  I wouldn't modify the caliper they are sharp because they are square and hard edges on the caliper this prevents them from bending or wearing in use.  The fin is probably anodized it is likely pretty hard just be gentle with your hands and you shouldn't gouge the fin badly enough to matter.

If you must a very fine stone like a garnet or diamond hone on the corner of the file might round it a smidge but the reality is just don't push hard enough into the fin to gouge it and you'll be fine.

[Horton]

Just be careful. 

[DW]

You could do a jaws to tips conversion, measure via jaws, convert to tips for true fin length.  Verify every so often, the slight variation will be within measurement error.

[OTF]

If your squeezing on your calipers hard enough to make impressions on your fin you’re not getting the measurements you were trying for anyway. Just be consistent and delicate, you are going to record the numbers and make adjustments anyway right? As long as you know where you started and use the same process when you make a move you’re still moving it the desired amount right? They are supposed to be a precision tool. Think of them as 1000 grit sandpaper and your tape measure is 80 grit.