Caliper recommendations

[Dave T]

I was a qc technician for many years and I was responsible for all the measuring instruments throughout our factory. We used several brands of calipers over the years and they were put through some rough treatment, but after many years of experience with different brands when I had to order a new caliper I bought Mitutoyo's (Japan) or Brown & Sharpe's.
Mitutoyo's are on my reloading bench.
Dave T

 

[Shynloco]

Guys I am looking at upgrading my Franklin arsenal digital calipers. They are getting a bit old and figured it was time. What would you recommend...brand and model. Looking at spending about 100$ plus or minus 25$. Thanks in advance

Might I remind you that as in most things, you get what you pay for. If you are loading for accuracy, then spend extra for getting accurate readings, as you cannot reasonably expect an $18 - $25 caliper to be as accurate as an $80 - $125 caliper. I use both a Starrett and Mituyoto and yes, they aren't cheap, but buy once instead of collecting calipers that only provide "ballpark" readings. Now if you only load for say hunting grade loads, then yes the Harbor Freight calipers will work just fine. Just my .02 worth.

Alex

 

[Raythemanroe]

IGaging Absolute Origin (.0005), For the money it can't be beat.. I also have a Brown & Sharp dial caliper that works good.. IGaging's Absolute micrometer is something to look at, not cheap for an Asian Mic though.
https://youtu.be/VMf2_JD3aCg
https://youtu.be/GRfTRsspOnw
Ray

 

[Shynloco]

IGaging Absolute Origin (.0005), For the money it can't be beat.. I also have a Brown & Sharp dial caliper that works good.. IGaging's Absolute micrometer is something to look at, not cheap for an Asian Mic though.
https://youtu.be/VMf2_JD3aCg
https://youtu.be/GRfTRsspOnw
Ray

Nice Ray - $51.99 on ebay. Wish I'd seen or knew about that before I sprang for a Starrett. Although I REALLY like my Starrett and Mituyoto.

Alex

 

[savageshooter86]

would be interested in seeing who all uses these calipers and how happy they are with them?

$39.99 for caliper and $42 for digital micrometer ???

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have been reading this thread from the start and conducting in depth reviews of all the calipers and micrometers mentioned. I've never had any problem with my RCBS dial caliper and my Hornady digital caliper. They both are always spot on with my 1" check pin, but the RCBS is sensitive to pressure applied and the Hornady eats batteries like a fat kid eats cake. So they both leave a little to be desired and I figured it was time to upgrade.

All said and done, I was very impressed with the reviews and videos on the Igaging products. They held up toe to toe with Mitutoyo calipers across the board and some even chose the Igaging OriginCal Absolute Origin caliper over the Mitutoyo absolute origin caliper. And you have to admit that Igaging Speed Micrometer is the cat's a**!

So I just ordered the Igaging Digital Absolute Origin caliper in 8" length and the Igaging Absolute Origin Speed Micrometer. Should have them next week. Will give a review when I get them if any of you are interested. Total cost for both measuring devices brand new was $168 shipped from ebay. If they are as good as all the reviews say, it will be one heck of a deal.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

PS: thank you folks for all the valuable input even though it wasn't intended for me personally. You were all helping me immensely in making a decision while I was lurking in the shadows reading and reviewing everything you talked about

 

[Raythemanroe]

would be interested in seeing who all uses these calipers and how happy they are with them?

$39.99 for caliper and $42 for digital micrometer ???

Speed mic is about $120 on Ebay

Only complaint I have is the IGaging Absolute caliper doesn't auto shut off, but it comes with an extra battery that I haven't needed yet.


Ray

 

[Ledd Slinger]

would be interested in seeing who all uses these calipers and how happy they are with them?

$39.99 for caliper and $42 for digital micrometer ???

Speed mic is about $120 on Ebay

Only complaint I have is the IGaging Absolute caliper doesn't auto shut off, but it comes with an extra battery that I haven't needed yet.


Ray

The type of battery was a huge attraction for me because it is the same battery type that my vehicle key FOBs and remote start controllers use. So I already have a decent supply of extra batteries. And like reviews state, the 2032 can be found in just about any general store or gas station.

To be exact, I got the Igaging speed mic for $119.95 shipped on ebay and the 8 inch Igaging OriginCal caliper for $48.55 shipped

 

[savageshooter86]

Sorry I priced the normal mic. Not the speed version

 

[padom]

Thanks that's exactly what I was looking for. I was looking hard at the brown and sharpe and I am know considering an 8" vs. the 6".

I've found 6" to be just fine and can measure 50bmg.

 

[JRS]

When the IGaging tool goes into failure (breaks), who repairs it?

"IPIC head office is in California, and manufacturing facility in China". The USA flag shown on their site would lead many to think the products are USA manufactured.

 

[padom]

Just wanted to provide some info on cheap calipers and what can happen. Just yesterday I ran into a issue that drove me crazy all day. I was using my Redding Competition Micrometer Neck sizing die with a .336 TiN bushing to neck size some 1xLapua .308 cases. After sizing the cases my cheapo HF digital calipers were saying the neck was sized down to .3285. After checking everything from the die to the bushing all day I still couldn't find the cause. A friend and long time reloader asked me if a .334 or .335 bushing would slip over the sized necks measuring .3285. He said they should slip right over and be sloppy as hell if they actually measure .3285. They would NOT slip over. He said now go size a case with my .334 bushing which I did then try and slip a .335 bushing over the neck. It slipped right over with a nice snug fit.

Let's just say those cheapo HF calipers hit the concrete shop floor a few times then went right in the trash. I have a pair of Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6", 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution arriving today and I bought a used but certified pair of Brown & Sharpe dial calipers that will be here this week.

Its funny because I am a buy once cry once type of person. All my reloading equipment is top quality. For some reason I was using these cheapo digital calipers for the past 2 years thinking they worked when in reality were giving incorrect results. I guess when your only using them to bump shoulders back .002", it didn't matter what the number was as long as it went down .002".

Do yourself a favor and buy a known pair of calipers. Either Browne & Sharpe, Mitutoyo or Starrett

 

[Raythemanroe]

When the IGaging tool goes into failure (breaks), who repairs it?

"IPIC head office is in California, and manufacturing facility in China". The USA flag shown on their site would lead many to think the products are USA manufactured.

Haven't needed to find out yet, works terrific.. Although I couldn't ship and insure a Mitutoyo for what I could just buy new.. I hope for the cost of the speed Mic, the customer service is useful..

Ray

 

[Raythemanroe]

All I can say for my IGaging Absolute Origin calipers, They are only lacking in price over Mitutoyo.. I have done quality verification my self, testing from inside to tip was less then a half thou, Mitutoyo did no better.. My Brown & Sharp are spot on with these, but the Absolute Origin option is the cats meow in calipers. My guess is these will jump in prices in the future..

If I was a company like RCBS, Hornady and Harbor Freight I would junk the other dime calipers and re badge these ones..

This is an initial observation, only time will tell how they measure up as far as durability


Ray

 

[savageshooter86]

Ray how long you been using these?

 

[jbarnwell]

I've had great luck with Brown and Sharp

 

[Raythemanroe]

Ray how long you been using these?

Couple months


Ray

 

[Joe R]

padom said:
Just wanted to provide some info on cheap calipers and what can happen. Just yesterday I ran into a issue that drove me crazy all day. I was using my Redding Competition Micrometer Neck sizing die with a .336 TiN bushing to neck size some 1xLapua .308 cases. After sizing the cases my cheapo HF digital calipers were saying the neck was sized down to .3285. After checking everything from the die to the bushing all day I still couldn't find the cause. A friend and long time reloader asked me if a .334 or .335 bushing would slip over the sized necks measuring .3285. He said they should slip right over and be sloppy as hell if they actually measure .3285. They would NOT slip over. He said now go size a case with my .334 bushing which I did then try and slip a .335 bushing over the neck. It slipped right over with a nice snug fit.

Let's just say those cheapo HF calipers hit the concrete shop floor a few times then went right in the trash. I have a pair of Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6", 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution arriving today and I bought a used but certified pair of Brown & Sharpe dial calipers that will be here this week.

Its funny because I am a buy once cry once type of person. All my reloading equipment is top quality. For some reason I was using these cheapo digital calipers for the past 2 years thinking they worked when in reality were giving incorrect results. I guess when your only using them to bump shoulders back .002", it didn't matter what the number was as long as it went down .002".

Do yourself a favor and buy a known pair of calipers. Either Browne & Sharpe, Mitutoyo or Starrett

Padom,
I would normally agree with you, I prefer to buy quality products. However, I'm a bit of a klutz and sometimes drop things, and I do drop my calipers. That is why I bought the cheap HF calipers. Throwing away a $30 calipers hurts a lot less than a $160 set. And yes, I've had to throw away HF calipers. However, that is exactly why I recommended that:

No matter which calipers you get you will always have to have a way to double check its working properly, so make sure you get a pin gauge. You can also use it to verify you concentricity gauge. Erik Cortina thought me this trick and for $3 its well worth it.

See http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/78386851?rItem=78386851


Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[AckleymanII]

Mitutoyo Digital are on my reloading bench.

Brown and Sharpe and Starrett dial calipers are around also.