Caliper recommendations

[bigedp51]

I'm not building a Swiss watch or parts for a detonator on a hydrogen bomb,

I dunno any of the people making the detonator parts, but I'm pretty sure the people actually putting the bomb together use Mitutoyo... (the requirement is just that the M&TE be calibrated to NIST traceable standards, though)

Starret for me, though (my young eyes can still read a dial, too).

Actually our captured German scientists only used the best digital calipers.

But you are too young to remember.........................

And the madness continues in this posting.........................................

And the safest place during a forum argument is under your computer desk.

 

[Catfur]

Mr. President, we must not allow a dial caliper gap!

 

[waldo1979]

Caliper is probably the one reloading tool i use the most:
http://amzn.com/B00IG46NL2

I have two HF jobbies, they just aren't the same as the Mitutoyo.

 

[JRS]

Might I add that the Mitutoyo products are only backed by a 90 day full parts and labor warranty. Then they only cover manufacturing or software defects for 9 months after that for a total of a 1 year warranty

Mitutoyo carries a full 1 year warranty. The 90 day warranty applies to anything they repair, no matter the age of the tool.

You'd better read your warranty details again. Not only is it one year, but it only applies to the original owner. It's non transferrable. I copied and pasted their Warranty statement word for word right off their website. Here it is...

Warranties
Mitutoyo America Corporation warrants all of its products it sells and ships in the United States and Canada for one year from the date of shipment to the original purchaser. The description as shown below is not a warranty by itself and is for general information only. For warranty terms and conditions as they pertain to a specific product, contact the Mitutoyo America Corporation service center.
Mitutoyo America Corporation warrants the products and software it manufactures and sells directly or through an authorized distributor, if the product or software is in the possession of the original purchaser. Except for software, Mitutoyo America Corporation will, at its option, repair or replace any part or parts which upon examination are found to be defective in workmanship or material, provided the product is returned to Mitutoyo America Corporation and the purchaser can prove that the product has been used and maintained and, where applicable, installed in accordance with Mitutoyo America Corporation instructions and has not been subject to abuse. For software, Mitutoyo America Corporation will replace defective media or make a warranted program operate or replace the program with a functionally equivalent program as warranted, provided there is satisfactory documentation that the software has been installed, used, and maintained in accordance with Mitutoyo America Corporation instructions in the User Manual and provided further the customer can satisfactorily show that a defect exists.
Mitutoyo America Corporation does not accept liability or responsibility for repairs, additions, or modifications made to the product, including those made by others, without Mitutoyo America Corporation’s written consent.
The warranties Mitutoyo America Corporation provides do not adversely affect Mitutoyo America Corporation’s right to modify or change the design of products, without notice, including any of its specifications or materials.
Export Compliance
All products in this catalog are subject to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control laws of Japan, US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or the Canadian Export and Import Permits Act. Re-export or relocation of any of these products may require prior approval by an appropriate governing authority. If a purchased product is exported or re-exported, even if it is not considered a regulated item by a governing authority, Mitutoyo would like to be made aware, as the customer service available for that product may be affected. If you have any questions, please consult your local Mitutoyo sales office.
Safety Caution
Carefully read the specifications and functions in this catalog before selecting products. Safety may be compromised if you use products for purposes other than those stated here. Feel free to contact your nearest Mitutoyo sales center if you wish to use a product for other purposes or in a special environment.
Appearance and Specifications
Appearance and specifications are subject to change without prior notice for product improvement.
The product names in this catalog are registered trademarks or trademarks of Mitutoyo or their respective

Maybe you should invest your money into reading glasses, rather than micrometers and calipers. I didn't say the warranty was transferable. I did say it is one year. YOU said they are backed by a 90 day warranty. The warranty isn't a big deal to me. I've never had a problem with mine

 

[Joe Salt]

Man you guys, I don't care how good the Caliper is its only as good as the guy using it! And I'm no good at it! So in my hands close is good enough.

Joe Salt

 

[Richard Jones]

Sounds like I need to market some 'tactical' gage blocks/pins, or else maybe call them 'benchrest grade.'

Man, the $$$'s are going to start rolling in now!

 

[Changeling]

Sounds like I need to market some 'tactical' gage blocks/pins, or else maybe call them 'benchrest grade.'

Man, the $$$'s are going to start rolling in now!

/quote]

Hi Rich, a great gauge block and a QUALITY Calliper and Micrometer will fill all your needs (reliable measurements)! Just be sure they have a GREAT CASE for each tool, not some flimsy piece of CRAP, and the factory will rebuild at reasonable cost in case of a mishap.
If the company doesn't rebuild or just sends you a new one (price), look elsewhere.

If in doubt contact the company of choice and ask questions? It's not rocket science, OR maybe it is !

 

[Richard Jones]

^^^^^^ Huh?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Thank you raythemanroe for the link, $39.99 and $26.95 that even a cheap bastard like me can afford. And better than the cheap Chinese one I bought.
You must be as smart, good looking and modest as I am..................

iGaging ABSOLUTE ORIGIN 0-6" Digital Electronic Caliper - IP54 Protection / Extreme Accuracy
http://www.amazon.com/iGaging-ABSOLUTE-Digital-Electronic-Caliper/dp/B00INL0BTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427248540&sr=8-1&keywords=igaging+calipers


iGaging IP54 Electronic Digital Caliper 0-6" Display Inch/Metric/Fractions Stainless Steel Body
http://www.amazon.com/iGaging-Electronic-Digital-Fractions-Stainless/dp/B001AQEZ2W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427248540&sr=8-2&keywords=igaging+calipers

Ray

 

[Richard Jones]

What type of calibration checks/gages do/will you use?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Ray

 

[JRS]

^^^ You can't be serious ???

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I think those gap gauges are fine for checking the low end calibration, but you also need larger gauges that measure 1" or longer. Perhaps even all the way out to 5 inches. That way you can be sure the caliper is tracking correctly as it moves that far out. Main reason being that everything you measure in reloading ammo is way longer than a gap gauge

 

[Raythemanroe]

They give you an idea how the internal measurement vs tip vs jaws compare to each other. I like to use known measurements and comparisons to my Brown Sharp calipers. I also believe since I'm not building a product at a certain contracted dimensions that repeatability is my # 1 concern..


Ray

 

[waldo1979]

The biggest check/calibration is return to zero test. But also comparing two calipers works well.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Well I received my Igaging digital micrometer and caliper. Very, very nice for the money. I checked the calipers with my 1" gauge pin and it read exactly 1.0005" in any area of the jaws from the tip to the rear. I then put the gauge in my RCBS dial caliper and it read 1.000" at the rear, but 0.999 at the tip of the jaws. So definitely some flex going on with my RCBS. The Igaging tools are as tight as can be and built over the top for quality. You can run both the caliper and micrometer out and back in as many times as you want and as fast as you want and they both ALWAYS return to zero perfectly. I even re-zeroed the calipers out at 2", then 3", and 5". After each zeroing, I would return the caliper back to absolute origin zero while sitting at those distances. It would read the exact measurement I was at then I ran it back in to true zero and it was dead on every time. Can't see how any other caliper could ever be better. Then add in the 2 year no hassle warranty and I don't see how you could ask for anything more?

I now know for sure that spending all that extra money on Mitutoyo and Starrett tools is simply a waste. Chinese "junk" ain't so junky anymore

 

[Raythemanroe]

No lie, You could throw the Mitutoyo name on it and probably fool the best machinist.



Ray

 

[Brians356]

I now know for sure that spending all that extra money on Mitutoyo and Starrett tools is simply a waste.

According to this page (referenced early in this thread) Starrett ain't what they used to be:

http://www.longislandindicator.com/p11.html

Starrett dial calipers have a marked disadvantage. The metal is soft and bends easily under heavy use. The jaws quickly become misaligned and errors appear. Plastic parts have shown up on recent models and no one is impressed. It is not clear where these are manufactured, but Starrett would like you to believe it's here in the States.

Starrett digital calipers have been seen coming off the assembly line in China but what else is new? We have no experience with these models. We are, however, impressed with the quality and speed of repair service when digital gages are returned to the manufacturer. This is quite possibly the only manufacturer in the US with a reliable repair department for their digital products; however, they'll charge you $$$ just for a quote.

However, I'm sure an old Starrett caliper which has not been worn out or abused, if actually made in the USA, would probably be as expected from that venerable maker.

Caveat emptor.

 

[Ares]

After reading through all the 7 pages, it suprises me that no one has not once mentioned Sylvac, witch no doubt makes high quality digital calipers.

The Sylvac S CAL PRO µ, is certainly a step above what Mitutoyo and B&S currently offers. Although they are not cheap.

I got one some time ago, and it certainly is more accurate and repeatable then my Mitutoyos.
The entire S cal pro range is of very good quality, although the 'µ' version really sticks out.

 

[ridgeway]

After reading through all the 7 pages, it suprises me that no one has not once mentioned Sylvac, witch no doubt makes high quality digital calipers.

The Sylvac S CAL PRO µ, is certainly a step above what Mitutoyo and B&S currently offers. Although they are not cheap.

I got one some time ago, and it certainly is more accurate and repeatable then my Mitutoyos.
The entire S cal pro range is of very good quality, although the 'µ' version really sticks out.

Still only good for +/- .001"


I just picked up a pair of digital calipers from Harbor Freight for $9.95 w/coupon and they are very repeatable and measure the same as my $130 Mitutoyo calipers. I use calipers around the lathe and mill all the time and they seem to be attracted to concrete, which don't mix well. So when I drop a pair of $10 calipers, I don't feel so bad. I keep my Mitutoyo's on the loading bench only. Anything critical gets measured with the appropriate micrometer.