$50 Mitutoyo calipers at Wal Mart

[itchyTF]

The reason I'm asking is because my calipers crapped out and I need a new pair.

What crapped out in particular?

 

[Gil P.]

These calipers are NOT unused. The indicator needle has skipped a couple teeth as shown by the"zero" being at 9:00 rather than 12:00. A chip or some kind of debris got into the teeth of the frame and the lower jaw caused the indicator to jump that tooth or teeth.

Here is a link to the Facebook market posting. There is a video of the calipers being opened and closed. What do you think? It looks like the dial doesn't line up perfectly in zero.
Starrett 120 Facebook

 

[Gil P.]

What crapped out in particular?

A set of Lymans. The digital readout starting giving me random numbers until it eventually stopped turning on.

 

[Cnsane]

As to the Starretts, the dial is a quarter out of time. If they're new then under the foam should be an instruction sheet and a small shim that is used to put them back into time. Starrett would probably sell you another shim. Also, it's known to not store calipers with the jaws completely closed. Always leave a tiny gap. And always wipe the jaws before you check zero,,,

 

[SeabeeKen]

Why would you trust that Chinese place?

The same reason most others do, CHEAP

 

[markT]

Lots of fake Mitutoyo's out there. Be careful..
I bought a set of two Makita 6 Ah batteries for a great deal off ebay. Both are bad both are fake.. Now ebay has no record of my purchase.. Lesson learned..

 

[Gil P.]

As to the Starretts, the dial is a quarter out of time. If they're new then under the foam should be an instruction sheet and a small shim that is used to put them back into time. Starrett would probably sell you another shim. Also, it's known to not store calipers with the jaws completely closed. Always leave a tiny gap. And always wipe the jaws before you check zero,,,

Thanks for the info. I offered him $130 for them if they are in good shape.

If the shim isn't there ill offer him less or pass on them.

 

[Gil P.]

The calipers seem to be working well. No shim behind the foam and there's an empty cutout in the foam. Is the cutout for the shim?

Can I time it without the shim?

These are much higher quality than my old calipers.

 

[Gil P.]

He also offered me a starrett dial indicator. Can this be used to measure neck concentricity?

Im debating on the merits of neck turning for tactical matches.

 

[Rset]

Only one comment on this post, and it's that China is a huge country with 10's of thousands of manufacturers. Some of the highest quality products in the world come from some of these manufacturers. Also, some of the most incredible junk comes from others. Much like manufacturers in the USA. You might not want to lump all manufacturers in a country in the same group.

 

[gmr4]

Purchased a Mitutoyo set on Amazon 6 months ago… a great deal…. But they were counterfit . Got my money back asap and bought from MSC Industrial who was one of the companies Mitutoyo recommended when I called.

 

[jpjulian]

Here is a link to the Facebook market posting. There is a video of the calipers being opened and closed. What do you think? It looks like the dial doesn't line up perfectly in zero.
Starrett 120 Facebook

I spent 15 years in Q.C. before changing careers. Precision instruments were my job. Those are not new calipers. The zero should be at 12:00 not at 9:00. The lower jaw and indicator needle have jumped a couple teeth. The dial has been rotated to align with the needle. If those calipers are being represented as new, there's big time fibbin' goin' on...... period.

 

[Lead Slanger]

I guess I'm a simpleton. I think of calipers as a comparator. If I'm really concerned about it, I'll get out a micrometer.

Good calipers will measure really close. In my experience, most people don't know how to use them correctly.

 

[Gil P.]

I spent 15 years in Q.C. before changing careers. Precision instruments were my job. Those are not new calipers. The zero should be at 12:00 not at 9:00. The lower jaw and indicator needle have jumped a couple teeth. The dial has been rotated to align with the needle. If those calipers are being represented as new, there's big time fibbin' goin' on...... period.

Are the lower jaw and indicator jumping teeth what caused the zero to be at 0900?

 

[Shooter13]

Thanks guys. I almost never go to Walmart. I didn't know they sold fake stuff. Chinese company? Makes sense.

I clicked your link and it came is as my sign in, I'm saying gtg

 

[jpjulian]

Are the lower jaw and indicator jumping teeth what caused the zero to be at 0900?

Yes. Some kind of debris got into the teeth and the jaw was run over it causing the tooth gear to jump a tooth or more. It's usually a chip in a machine shop. It can easily be returned to zero by someone familiar with the process. I won't try to describe how here.

 

[DShortt]

Good calipers will measure really close. In my experience, most people don't know how to use them correctly.

I agree.
I'll still say if I'm concerned about .001" +/- then I'll be getting out a micrometer.
And the majority of machinist will agree.

 

[Gil P.]

I measured a .264 bullet with the Starretts. I got .264 on the calipers almost dead on. That's good enough for me.

 

[Gil P.]

Yes. Some kind of debris got into the teeth and the jaw was run over it causing the tooth gear to jump a tooth or more. It's usually a chip in a machine shop. It can easily be returned to zero by someone familiar with the process. I won't try to describe how here.

Thank you. I watched a YouTube video on the process for getting the timing back to where it should be. It seems easy enough.

 

[DShortt]

I measured a .264 bullet with the Starretts. I got .264 on the calipers almost dead on. That's good enough for me.

Um.
Bet it's not .2640.

And if it matters not to you, then no worries.