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Calipers...

which calipers do you guys use? I was using Hornady digital but just had it not wanting to zero, not sure if it is a battery problem yet or not. but wanting to go to a good set of dial and not digital.
 
I have a cheap Lyman mechanical that is as accurate as my Mitutoyo mechanical. If you learn how to read the mechanical and keep them clean and zero'd, they are fine and much less money. I also have a Mitutoyo digital and see no real benefit in it, maybe a little quicker to read. Most calipers have an accuracy rating of +/- .001".
 
I am a 50 year user of calipers and I prefer the Mitutoyo 8" dial caliper when purchased by my employer.

However at home I have been using the 6" Chinese imports sold by Midway and many others. The Chinese calipers have had extensive use for about 20 years and they are just as functional as the Mitutoyos at work.
 
Have the same problem with my Hornaday digital calipers. They also are constantly switching from inch to metric. Time to toss'm I guess. My Mitutoyo digitals are older and still working well.
 
Have the same problem with my Hornaday digital calipers. They also are constantly switching from inch to metric.
The constant switching from inch to metric is often an indication of needing a new battery.
 
I use a Starrett 6" dial caliper. Buy once, cry once (Mitutoyo is fine too).

To me, there is a big difference in feel between a quality caliper and a cheap set.

The ones I enjoy using the most are a couple of Starrett 6" dial calipers. There were made many years ago, and were well used when I bought them.

The one I use the most is a Mitutoyo 4" Absolute Digimatic. Again bought them well used, and this is the pair I will probably drop some day, but they are in constant use.

I also have a new Mitutoyo 6" Absolute Digimatic, that doesn't get so much use, but when I need the digital 6", I break it out.

And yes, I have a few pair of the RCBS, Lyman, iGaging, etc. They all will give you a measurement, but they don't have the same feel - if that is important to you.
 
which calipers do you guys use? I was using Hornady digital but just had it not wanting to zero, not sure if it is a battery problem yet or not. but wanting to go to a good set of dial and not digital.
i am jealous of these guys who say the imports hold up and are just as accurate. id like to buy 10 sets of them if thats true to have around the shop. i get starrett or mitutoyo. i have tried the chicom and they havent held up to well for me
 
I too have used calipers both at work and for reloading for years and like hoz53 said I wish I could get the cheap calipers to work but I can’t. After buying several sets of the Lyman and no names I decided to buy a good set off Ebay and spent just a little more on a good set of Mitutoyo dial than what I’ve spent on the others combined but they work and give me good readings. We use Mitutoyo digital at work and they’ve been used hard and put away wet but keep being repeatable.
 
Fore everyday use, I use cheapo calipers from harbor freight or bullets.com. For anything important I use a micrometer. When I do need to use a caliper because of geometry, I have a very old starrett but hardly ever get it out.
 
i am jealous of these guys who say the imports hold up and are just as accurate. id like to buy 10 sets of them if thats true to have around the shop. i get starrett or mitutoyo. i have tried the chicom and they havent held up to well for me
Mitutoy is of course a Japanese import ;) Starrett also outsources some tools to China (1202 & 799) are of Chinese manufacture.

The iGauging Origin have been very good calipers for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another or recommend them to a friend.
 
I double checked the Hornady Digital calipers and they will not work for me. Changed out the battery and if you slide it back and fourth a few times and back to zero it can be off as much as .2 at zero lol garbage bound. I would like a dial caliper that will last a long time, maybe around the $120 mark if possible.
 
the mitu 6" dial fits your bill, check amazon but check the seller too..there have been clones.

I double checked the Hornady Digital calipers and they will not work for me. Changed out the battery and if you slide it back and fourth a few times and back to zero it can be off as much as .2 at zero lol garbage bound. I would like a dial caliper that will last a long time, maybe around the $120 mark if possible.
 
$221 @ MSC... add another $20 for a case...

View attachment 1053114
well i paid 125.00 for my starrett 120's in 1975. so they havent increased in cost nearly as much as many things in that 40 some years. still in nice shape and working well to. that said i wouldnt want to pay 250.00 for several sets. those mitutoyo dials for about 100 look pretty good to me. i think ill try a set.
 
Mitutoy is of course a Japanese import ;) Starrett also outsources some tools to China (1202 & 799) are of Chinese manufacture.

The iGauging Origin have been very good calipers for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another or recommend them to a friend.
thanks for the info about igaging. ive heard alot of good reports about them. mabie i will try a set. ive known for quite awhile starrett sells some chinese made tools. i wont buy any of them. My starretts are all us made. im a little gunshy about china calipers cause ive had trouble with all of them ive had. Even the Mitutoyo set i have. the caliper and mic on the bottom of the pic i purchased in 1975.


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