Digital caliper reccomendation

[kyotekiller25]

I just bought a nice used pair of Mitutoyos off a guy from Ebay for $60. I had him take a few extra pics for me so I could make sure they were real. He had no issues with it, which makes it nice that he's not trying to hide anything. And he assured me they were genuine. Can't wait to get them and put em to use.

 

[hoz53]

Oh I can afford them just wanted to know if they were $20 or $2000
Wayne

Lol - i knew u could— just joking around a little

 

[hoz53]

What does coolant proof mean ?

Wat south prarie— coolant proof is so if you get oil all over them it wont hurt them and they keep working- i use my mitutoyo machining also and get them real oily at times. Ive had noncoolant proof calipers fail because of oil on them

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I just bought a nice used pair of Mitutoyos off a guy from Ebay for $60. I had him take a few extra pics for me so I could make sure they were real. He had no issues with it, which makes it nice that he's not trying to hide anything. And he assured me they were genuine. Can't wait to get them and put em to use.
View attachment 1540397

Good caliper but check the resolution vs their accuracy.

Robot or human?

 

[Rocketvapor]

Resolution, repeatability, linearity, and accuracy over min to max measurement.
If a 6 inch caliper makes +/-0.001" over it's 6 inch measuring range that great.
If it will repeat a measurement @ 2.0000" that's even better.
If that 2.0000" measurement is accurate that would be GREAT.
Specs include a few tolerance factors and are usually based on SD, not ES.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Resolution, repeatability, linearity, and accuracy over min to max measurement.
If a 6 inch caliper makes +/-0.001" over it's 6 inch measuring range that great.
If it will repeat a measurement @ 2.0000" that's even better.
If that 2.0000" measurement is accurate that would be GREAT.
Specs include a few tolerance factors and are usually based on SD, not ES.

Agreed but a common issue with cheaper ones is how well the jaws come together, which is the same over any amount of travel. Some of that is fitment and/or frame flex. Not sure if that expounds with travel or not. I'd have to think a little harder than I want to. Lol!

This subject comes up from time to time and it's always a lot like this one. I think, just buy the best you can afford or justify spending but just know the limitations of the tool itself is all and don't expect tenth accuracy from calipers.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Jaw alignment can sometimes be corrected with the grub screws on the slide.
They should press down on a Brass shim.

Cheapo


Starrett


A VERY fine stone can be used to remove high spots and help true external jaws.

Users not really familiar with calipers can try measuring, by feel, a round 0.2500" gage pin and a 0.2500" jo-block. Proper technique should give equal readings.

 

[kyotekiller25]

I know my Peacock dial calipers are dead nuts everytime. The jaws come together like glass and always to zero. If I don't like these digital Mitutoyos, I'll just send them back and get refunded. How do you check the resolution and accuracy with them?

Are these peacocks any good? I've never seen or heard of people using them? One of my friends who is a rancher gave them to me years ago. They seem pretty nice and well built anyway.

 

[Rocketvapor]

they look pretty

 

[kyotekiller25]

Well thanks. But pretty and nice don't usually go together do they? Haha

I probably didn't need those Mitutoyos, but I just get kinda tired of having to subtract the comparator lengths to get my actual measurements on things...And I'm getting old enough to where it's hard to see those tiny little numbers sometimes haha.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Jaw alignment can sometimes be corrected with the grub screws on the slide.
They should press down on a Brass shim.

Cheapo
View attachment 1540602

Starrett
View attachment 1540604

A VERY fine stone can be used to remove high spots and help true external jaws.

Users not really familiar with calipers can try measuring, by feel, a round 0.2500" gage pin and a 0.2500" jo-block. Proper technique should give equal readings.

Good info. I've done the screws but not in ages and had totally forgotten. Hadn't thought about it in forever.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Well thanks. But pretty and nice don't usually go together do they? Haha

I probably didn't need those Mitutoyos, but I just get kinda tired of having to subtract the comparator lengths to get my actual measurements on things...And I'm getting old enough to where it's hard to see those tiny little numbers sometimes haha.

I'm with ya. Digital sure is handy.

 

[bozo699]

I just bought a nice used pair of Mitutoyos off a guy from Ebay for $60. I had him take a few extra pics for me so I could make sure they were real. He had no issues with it, which makes it nice that he's not trying to hide anything. And he assured me they were genuine. Can't wait to get them and put em to use.
View attachment 1540397

Got a couple pair just like yours, been doing a good job for maybe 15 plus years
Wayne

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

Not being a machinist I use I gaging calipers for basic reloading and I gaging tubing mic for turning brass. Seems to work well, one day I’ll get a good analog outside mic.

I love my Browne & Sharpe (Tesa) analog mic, I don’t take it out and use it much but it makes me warm and fuzzy just knowing it’s in its own little drawer with the gauge blocks.
G

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I've used them all from the cheapest garbage verniers to the most expensive Starrett and Mitutoyo…

My recommendation is iGaging OriginCal. Hands down the best for the money in my opinion. Been beating on them for years now and still perfectly accurate and repeatable

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Not being a machinist I use I gaging calipers for basic reloading and I gaging tubing mic for turning brass. Seems to work well, one day I’ll get a good analog outside mic.

The iGaging SpeedMic is really nice. It is absolute original as well. Has a spring loaded spindle so it can be opened and closed onto an object super fast and the spring pressure is always the same for excellent repeatability. Comes with a ball adapter too. Can also get a USB data cable so you can collect the data on a laptop if you’re doing a lot of measurements like when sorting bullet pressure ring diameters. I’ve had one for quite a while now and it has been excellent. Always repeats perfectly on pin gauges and I absolutely love the speed of the spring lever operated spindle and not having to worry if I’m applying the same pressure each time. Will never go back to a turn knob style.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Oh, what the hay.
I just ordered one direct from igaging,
$109.95, $6.11 shipping, no tax.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Oh, what the hay.
I just ordered one direct from igaging,
$109.95, $6.11 shipping, no tax.

You’ll really like it. So fast and easy to use. And for the price they can’t be beat. I keep an extra set of their verniers and a mic as spares but I haven’t needed to them yet. Another great feature is you can move round objects around to check runout and the spring keeps a constant pressure for you

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The iGaging SpeedMic is really nice. It is absolute original as well. Has a spring loaded spindle so it can be opened and closed onto an object super fast and the spring pressure is always the same for excellent repeatability. Comes with a ball adapter too. Can also get a USB data cable so you can collect the data on a laptop if you’re doing a lot of measurements like when sorting bullet pressure ring diameters. I’ve had one for quite a while now and it has been excellent. Always repeats perfectly on pin gauges and I absolutely love the speed of the spring lever operated spindle and not having to worry if I’m applying the same pressure each time. Will never go back to a turn knob style.

View attachment 1540904

You know, I bought a bunch of stuff from a guy on here a few years back and it had an rcbs micrometer with it, brand new I think. Feels cheap but that thing measures spot on and iirc, it's pretty identical to that iGaging mic, or really close. I might have just gotten lucky but no complaints so far and a mic is something I don't skimp on. I bet they made it for rcbs but just guessing. Feels like junk but works and I don't have to worry as much about dropping it etc. Anything critical, I check it against my good stuff but it's never let me down. Have never sent it in for calibrating. Afraid they'll laugh and never work on anything for me again. Lol

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You know, I bought a bunch of stuff from a guy on here a few years back and it had an rcbs micrometer with it, brand new I think. Feels cheap but that thing measures spot on and iirc, it's pretty identical to that iGaging mic, or really close. I might have just gotten lucky but no complaints so far and a mic is something I don't skimp on. I bet they made it for rcbs but just guessing. Feels like junk but works and I don't have to worry as much about dropping it etc. Anything critical, I check it against my good stuff but it's never let me down. Have never sent it in for calibrating. Afraid they'll laugh and never work on anything for me again. Lol

Hmm, not sure on that. I guess they could make rebranded stuff but I haven’t seen or heard of it. Nothing feels like junk to me on the SpeedMic or their verniers. All great quality and work perfectly. Honestly the Mitutoyo Digimatic verniers we used to use at work feel cheaper and sloppier than my iGaging verniers at a 1/3 of the price.