Calipers...

[270WinDude]

I use 30-40 dollar RCBS calipers, not digital. I’m pretty impressed with them. Once you figure out how to read it, it’s extremely easy. I think the only other calipers that could do better for me are well over a hundred dollars...

 

[BoydAllen]

I have several dial calipers. One is a Mitutoyo. From time to time I check them against a standard, a gauge block that has been measured to a much higher standard than I have available. I also check my micrometers. I guess that I have been lucky but my Chinese calipers have been just as good as the Mitutoyo, but I would not assume that all are. Over the years I have learned a thing or two about making slight adjustments to calipers, and checking for problems. One thing that I have noticed is that some untrained users seem to be overly impressed by the fact that digital calipers show a fourth place after the decimal, and persist in using them for tasks that should be reserved for a micrometer that reads to .0001".

 

[dmoran]

My favorite "less expensive" calipers are the: iGAGING Absolute Origin IP54's.
The 6" are around $40, a 2-year warranty, and data output.
Have 2 of them, and also the USB Data Cable (also works with there micrometers).
Donovan

 

[Keith Hansley in NC]

try Shars---- reasonably priced, good quality, warranted

 

[Steve Ladino]

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.

Like you my inexpensive digital cals would jump around all over until I cleaned all lube off of it with alcohol and started to use the thumb wheel exclusively. Afterwards I felt pretty confident in them for most uses.

 

[eagle478]

Like you my inexpensive digital cals would jump around all over until I cleaned all lube off of it with alcohol and started to use the thumb wheel exclusively. Afterwards I felt pretty confident in them for most uses.

 

[eagle478]

when i got my first job in a machine shop i bought a pair of HELIOS dial calipers still use them 50 years later and they work perfect

 

[dcali]

Digital or otherwise, Starrett or Mitutoyo are what you want. They last forever, and you will forget the hefty price tag eventually. Or at least the sting will wear off.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I may be the odd ball, but i like my Brown & Sharpe

 

[Larryh128]

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

What I can tell you is that the import calipers that I use are very good quality compared to even 10 years ago. $19.95 will get you a pair shipped off Ebay, Valley brand. I bought a pair to try out & now I have sets all over the shop. At one time Starret, Brown & Sharp, Mity were what you wanted. That has changed for every day use. These are more than accurate/repeatable enough. For very precision work, I use a mic. FYI, electronic calipers should be turned on & left on. The battery will last 6 months BUT when they start goofing up, and they will, you won't know until it's too late. I just threw away about a dozen 338 Lapua cases that got trimmed tooooo far due to a faulty Mity digital caliper. At $2+ ea I could have bout another pr of cheapies that worked.

 

[Duster_360]

Another iGaging user, but have the 8" version. Have a 40+yr old Craftsman dial caliper and vernier micrometer - when I check the iGaging against either one, the Igaging has been been spot on.

 

[hoz53]

What I can tell you is that the import calipers that I use are very good quality compared to even 10 years ago. $19.95 will get you a pair shipped off Ebay, Valley brand. I bought a pair to try out & now I have sets all over the shop. At one time Starret, Brown & Sharp, Mity were what you wanted. That has changed for every day use. These are more than accurate/repeatable enough. For very precision work, I use a mic. FYI, electronic calipers should be turned on & left on. The battery will last 6 months BUT when they start goofing up, and they will, you won't know until it's too late. I just threw away about a dozen 338 Lapua cases that got trimmed tooooo far due to a faulty Mity digital caliper. At $2+ ea I could have bout another pr of cheapies that worked.

ok ill probably have to try a set. like you say i like the dials because no battery - ive got some dial calipers that i have confidence in the reading i get. with any digital there is always a question mark to me and i tend to check them with my dials so why have the digitals- all in my head i know . thanks for the help

 

[JLT]

I have a bunch lying around, some of them inexpensive yet reliable for certain applications. If I had to get rid of all but one, I'd keep my 8" Mitutoyo digital. No batteries about which to worry, reads to .0001", a quality instrument in every respect. I'd really hate to part with my old Brown & Sharpe, though . . .

 

[JimSC]

Cheap set of Harbor Freight digitals. I keep saying I am going to snag a good Starrett mechanical off EBay but never get around to it

 

[AckleymanII]

Mitutoyo "Absolute" series is one heck of an electronic caliper, Starrett electronic is great also with both of these having an off/on button.

Starrett and Brown and Sharp are darn accurate mechanical calipers.

 

[Larryh128]

ok ill probably have to try a set. like you say i like the dials because no battery - ive got some dial calipers that i have confidence in the reading i get. with any digital there is always a question mark to me and i tend to check them with my dials so why have the digitals- all in my head i know . thanks for the help

That brand I have confidence in because I've used several sets of them. Some others?