Best calipers for reloading

[Jerry Snyder]

I have been looking at upgrading my cheap digital calipers which I have had for 20 years or so. I have heard good thing about the Mitutoyo brand. I see a large price spread between the ones online at EBAY auction site, vs. the ones from industrial sellers, such as MSC direct.

Are the one on the auction site knock offs? I don't mind buying once, crying once. Just checking what you all use and is it worth the investment.

Your thoughts please.

 

[kyotekiller25]

I bought a nice set of used difital Mitutoyos on ebay for like $60

Trick with ebay is you have to look at all pictures and the description, to make sure they're not fakes. If the price is too good to be true, chances are they are fakes. Youtube has videos on how to spot the fakes also.

 

[round]

Do you want digital or dial ?

 

[wedgy]

iGaging makes a very nice caliper and you know it is genuine coming from Grizzly. I did not know Grizzly has a left handed caliper, if that is your thing.

iGaging T27455 - 6" Absolute OriginCal Digital Caliper - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

These Absolute OriginCal® Digital Calipers offer absolute encoding technology and a quick measure at unlimited measuring speed. They always memorize origin zero and meet Meets DIN Standard 862, and their manufacture is ISO 9001 Certified. Made of hardened stainless steel with a precision lapping...

www.grizzly.com

 

[jds holler]

I've got a couple of these now, and really like them for the fifty bucks. Also tried the next pair cheaper than these, and no bueno.
jd

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-digital-caliper-57460.html?_br_psugg_q=digital+caliper

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I use calipers all the time for rough measurements...they're a must have tool and Mitutoyo makes a top notch set. Just use them for what they're intended for and they're great but don't expect the accuracy to equal their resolution. If you need true measurements, use a good quality micrometer for that. Even high end calipers typically have a +/- .001 or so and that's brand new, in laboratory conditions, by a trained user. Just look at the specs for yourself here or Mit's site and don't expect them to be a micrometer.

Knowing this, I have several sets and I often use the cheapo's to get close...fwiw.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Walt Krafft]

I was walking through Grizzly a few years ago and saw a pair of calipers for 17 bucks. Thought what could I lose. Still working fine. Had a high dollar pair at work and they were no more accurate or longer lasting than this Grizzly. Save your money. Get cheap calipers for rough measurements and good micrometers for when it matters.

 

[TTE]

I have some (dial) Starrett's that I can let go (if you are considering them).
I like the Starrett's a lot.

 

[freebird22/250]

Go to Harbor Freight for your needs!

 

[Straightshooter1]

I have been looking at upgrading my cheap digital calipers which I have had for 20 years or so. I have heard good thing about the Mitutoyo brand. I see a large price spread between the ones online at EBAY auction site, vs. the ones from industrial sellers, such as MSC direct.

Are the one on the auction site knock offs? I don't mind buying once, crying once. Just checking what you all use and is it worth the investment.

Your thoughts please.

This should be helpful:

 

[Jerry Snyder]

Do you want digital or dial ?

Digital please

 

[RabbitSlayer]

iGaging makes a very nice caliper and you know it is genuine coming from Grizzly. I did not know Grizzly has a left handed caliper, if that is your thing.

iGaging T27455 - 6" Absolute OriginCal Digital Caliper - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

These Absolute OriginCal® Digital Calipers offer absolute encoding technology and a quick measure at unlimited measuring speed. They always memorize origin zero and meet Meets DIN Standard 862, and their manufacture is ISO 9001 Certified. Made of hardened stainless steel with a precision lapping...

www.grizzly.com

I have 2 of these. I have never owned anything else, but I can't complain. Anytime I measure something that I know is an exact size like an expander mandrel both sets are dead on. Mine are from Amazon.

 

[6MMsteve]

don't get digimatic mitutoyo cals they are sloppy somewhat, ebay find some look at the back for wear on the sticker if you find one that the sticker on back isn't worn to bad buy it, chk the points on jaws both sides for dings chk the jaws chk for dirt chk the front display for scratches, find a good one buy it, research the mitutoyo's a little so you will know what your looking for get the absolute 500-762-20 is what you want

 

[6MMsteve]

you can find good deals on ebay 125 for 500-762-20 in good condition I have bought several and they are 98% cosmetic if you can't find one I may have some extra

 

[K22]

Several years ago, I purchased two sets of Anytime dial calipers from Amazon. Can't remember the exact price but they were under $50.

I check regularly with length standards, and they are consistently within the advertised + or - .001". They always return to zero if you keep the jaws clean with a lint free cloth. I've been using both sets for years now and have zero complaints.

Perhaps because they are mechanical, not electronic, but they have been very reliable. I do know that you have to spend a lot of money for name brand calipers. Mine work fine after several years of heavy use.

 

[SD guy]

I have 2 of these. I have never owned anything else, but I can't complain. Anytime I measure something that I know is an exact size like an expander mandrel both sets are dead on. Mine are from Amazon.

I could not in good conscience recommend the Chinese IP gauging stuff. I have put it to the test in less forgiving conditions. Truly I have had good initial experiences with the Chinese stuff. Though I did not have to wait long for less than desirable experiences as well. Personally I am a fan of rather expensive Mititoyo IP 65 or better offerings.

 

[Multiracer]

Analog !!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Get the 8 inch model, IMHO. You'll be glad ya did. 6s don't even feel right...too small. Again, imho.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I could not in good conscience recommend the Chinese IP gauging stuff. I have put it to the test in less forgiving conditions. Truly I have had good initial experiences with the Chinese stuff. Though I did not have to wait long for less than desirable experiences as well. Personally I am a fan of rather expensive Mititoyo IP 65 or better offerings.

I have had em a long time. Something like 10 and 7 years. Basically everything since covid has gone down in quality. Back then mititoyo just wasn't in my budget. I probably use em more than the average hobby reloader, but certainly not like a machinist.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have had em a long time. Something like 10 and 7 years. Basically everything since covid has gone down in quality. Back then mititoyo just wasn't in my budget. I probably use em more than the average hobby reloader, but certainly not like a machinist.

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-IP54-Absolute-Origin-100-700-06/dp/B00KDUD67G/?tag=accuratescom-20
I have had these for about the same period.
These also do fractions and have the extra base to clamp on to measure depth on bigger objects.