Best digital precision mic for case neck thickness?

[Baer45]

I tired of my less expensive mics that either are not repeatable and/or I can not fit a 223 on the post. With my aging eyes digital sounds like a good idea. Anyone have a mic they really like? ( does not have to be expensive

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Hollands sells the best. Most folks use a mitutoyo like sinclair sells. Neither are digital but not hard to read if you think of each revolution as .025. It doesnt take long at all to master

 

[dmoran]

@Baer45
Attached below is my recommendation. $56 on Ebay - Click HERE



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Which I clamp into a "Micrometer Holder/Inspection Base" - $19.75 on Ebay - Click HERE




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PS:
Switched to digital with all my measuring tools over the last few years. Wish I had 10-years sooner. Would never go back.
Really like the Igaging measuring tools. Great bang for the buck - IMO
Good Luck

 

[Murray Brook]

I have this exact very same set up. Works great for me. Very affordable.

 

[bozo699]

I have this exact very same set up. Works great for me. Very affordable.

Ditto!
Wayne

 

[Shooter13]

Ditto!
Wayne

Ditto the Ditto!!! LOL

 

[Baer45]

Well there I go!

 

[newbieshooter]

@Baer45
Attached below is my recommendation. $56 on Ebay - Click HERE

View attachment 1164137

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Which I clamp into a "Micrometer Holder Inspection Base" - $19.75 on Ebay - Click HERE


View attachment 1164138

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PS:
Switched to digital with all my measuring tools over the last few years. Wish I had 10-years sooner. Would never go back.
Really like the Igaging measuring tools. Great bang for the buck - IMO
Good Luck

Donovan,

I got mine from Amazon. Looks to be the same?

 

[geo.ulrich]

@Baer45
Attached below is my recommendation. $56 on Ebay - Click HERE

View attachment 1164137

Donovan, You read the features where resolution is .00005 be repeatability is .00016 + or - or .00032 total error

 

[Baer45]

Thanks, I think I also need to learn how to read them better and use the ratchet to help consistency...

 

[dmoran]

Donovan, You read the features where resolution is .00005 be repeatability is .00016 + or - or .00032 total error

Yes ...... which is similar to Mitutoyo tubing micrometer accuracy spec's of +/- 0.00015" that can cost a couple hundred more !.!.!

PS: as likely you know also... it still boils down to the quality of the tool and repeatablity.

 

[geo.ulrich]

I'm not much of mitutoyo fan. I wonder why repeatability is so bad +- .00015 is really pretty poor. ratchets are ok friction thimble is a whole bunch better.....an indicator on a mandrel would give the best reading if it needs to be that good...

 

[mikecr]

So you wouldn't submit a scientific paper on 2 ten thousandths measure from Donovan's recommended, but you can certainly detect it.

It's worked really well for me, while running turned necks for only 1/2thou total neck clearance.

an indicator on a mandrel would give the best reading if it needs to be that good...

No, not a mandrel. You need point contact from a ball anvil.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Sometimes we need to know our audience on these posts. Some on here are like E.F. Hutton

 

[bozo699]

Sometimes we need to know our audience on these posts. Some on here are like E.F. Hutton

you mean Like when
D. Stevens speaks.......”people listen”
Wayne.

 

[dcali]

If you've got money to burn, the Mitutoyo digital tube mics are very nice. As for repeatability, who knows. I suspect that the Mitutoyo is actually better than +/- .00015" regardless of the spec, because under very good conditions (gage blocks and whatnot, I get better repeatability with mine (vernier, not digital) if I'm very careful.

The user is the limiting factor in a lot of cases. I know I'm good for +/- .0001" or so on case necks with my mic, and no better. Of course, that depends on what I'm measuring.

This is why things like indicating micrometers exist, and why people pay $800 for them. (I'm not saying you need an indicating mic, just an example).

 

[bozo699]

If you've got money to burn, the Mitutoyo digital tube mics are very nice. As for repeatability, who knows. I suspect that the Mitutoyo is actually better than +/- .00015" regardless of the spec, because under very good conditions (gage blocks and whatnot, I get better repeatability with mine (vernier, not digital) if I'm very careful.

The user is the limiting factor in a lot of cases. I know I'm good for +/- .0001" or so on case necks with my mic, and no better. Of course, that depends on what I'm measuring.

This is why things like indicating micrometers exist, and why people pay $800 for them. (I'm not saying you need an indicating mic, just an example).

very good points
Wayne

 

[sqrlgtr]

I've been using the sinclair setup the one with the caliber specific pilot and dial indicator,but have been looking at the igauging one mentioned above and also Hornady.The Hornady one also has the spindle ground down for getting then short neck cartridges in there and it's actually cheaper.Have a set of the hornady calipers and they will hang right with the mitutoyo's, but the mitutoyo has a better quality feel to them.

 

[dgeesaman]

@Baer45
Attached below is my recommendation. $56 on Ebay - Click HERE

View attachment 1164137

I have the Sinclair device that I believe is the same gauging head. Fowler made a digital mic based upon it too. Its possible that some are knockoffs of the others, but based on price point they probably come from the same source.

The one I have had not been used much. The ratcheting thimble was inconsistent for a while, but after some messing around it settled in and it measures repeatably within .0001" or better. I should get a gage block just for testing.

When it comes to neck, I really prefer digital. Just rotating the mic to read the tenths is enough to mess up a measurement, or tempt the operator into overtightening the anvil. With digital you get more data without moving anything.

David

 

[jimmymac]

So you wouldn't submit a scientific paper on 2 ten thousandths measure from Donovan's recommended, but you can certainly detect it.

It's worked really well for me, while running turned necks for only 1/2thou total neck clearance.

No, not a mandrel. You need point contact from a ball anvil.

My measuring skills aren’t near good enough to feel safe trying to hold a half thousandth of total clearance. Even if they were, I still wouldn’t do it. That’s absurdly close with no room for error.