Digital caliper reccomendation

[kyotekiller25]

Unknown munitions carries the real ones.
@INTJ is a manager and may have additional input.

Thanks, I just looked at their site. Going to order from the globaltestsupply link that was mentioned earlier I think though. They're on sale for $110. Unknown wants $150. Saves $40.

 

[RegionRat]

For me, it depends on how much it gets used and what for but definitely after a drop. That's another reason not to spend a great deal on calipers, imho.

+1
The working set versus the guarded set philosophy worked in my shops.
If I told you how many calibrated tools we had in the company you wouldn't believe it.

If one went to calibration and came back as Out Of Tolerance, there was a requirement for an investigation into anywhere that instrument was used and if there needed to be a recall.

Needless to say, I had a reason to not spend money on things that risked going out of tolerance, balanced against the learning curve of the technicians who dropped things while they were still leaning the ropes....

 

[JFrank]

Thanks, I just looked at their site. Going to order from the globaltestsupply link that was mentioned earlier I think though. They're on sale for $110. Unknown wants $150. Saves $40.

Hey $40 bucks is $40 bucks, mans gotta save $ where he can…

 

[Retired shooter]

When working in aircraft, tooling, and production, calipers and micrometers were Mitutoyo . Usually digital, the younger generation didn't know how to read anything else.

The tools went to the certification lab every 90 days. Invest in some quality standards to double check, both calipers, and micrometers.

 

[Rocketvapor]

We did a gazillion calipers, micrometers, scales, and torque wrenches.

 

[JFrank]

Just my 2 cents but buy a decent middle of the road set of calipers and a top end micrometer. Calipers are what they are and even the best set is not intended to be used for critical measurements. That's what a good mic is for. Rule of thumb, +/- .001 is pushing the limits of the best calipers money can buy and that's in a lab environment, used by professionals who do it all day, every day. Just look at the spec sheet, don't take my word for it.

Most of what we do, a good caliper is fine for but not everything. Some things, a micrometer is the correct tool and even the best caliper...just never designed nor intended for. Forget resolution! It means notta. Measurements given in tenths(.0001) with a caliper simply tells me the user doesn't really know what he's doing. Just being honest here.

With today's technology, you don't need to spend a lot for +/- .001 accuracy but if you need better, a good mic is the correct tool.

So spend $50-$75 on a decent set of calipers and spend about double that, or more, for a really good micrometer for the critical measurements that you need to rely on being right.

I use calipers every day. I use them for convenience to rough something in but when it gets nut cutting time, I switch to a good mic.

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.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Usually digital, the younger generation didn't know how to read anything else.

Could they not learn to use them?

 

[Rocketvapor]

I don't see the problem.
Dial calipers only have one hand.
An analog clock has 3.
Now there I can see a problem

 

[Retired shooter]

Could they not learn to use them?

Didn't want to learn. ! To busy looking at their phone. And most of them were taught in school with digital.

 

[Retired shooter]

We did a gazillion calipers, micrometers, scales, and torque wrenches.

Calibration?

 

[Rocketvapor]

Yes. Mentioned it in post #16.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Personally I would look for the next step up to IP67 (coolant proof) for the sake of reliability.

Mitutoyo Digital Caliper, 500-752-20, 0-6in/0-150mm (IP67) NEW!! MADE IN JAPAN | eBay

MITUTOYO 500-752-20 6" DIGIMATIC CLAIPER. ABS coolant-proof caliper with dust/water protection conforming to IP67 Level. The automatic power-on/off function shuts down the LCD after 20 minutes of inactivity, but the ABS scale origin is unaffected.

www.ebay.com

You use coolant while you're reloading?

I have extensive experience with both, and unless you're going to splatter coolant all over it, the regular ones are just fine.
The only tangible benefit to the IP67 calipers is that they have auto on/off.

 

[lgwatson]

Mitutoyo. Check out Youtube to learn how to spot counterfeits. Then shop around. Prices vary widely. I bought mine from Global Test Supply last summer. Excellent price and they passed the counterfeit detection test.

I agree with Krogen.

 

[lgwatson]

Starrett is also good.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I have 2 of the igauging and I like them. If I was rich or i was a machinist I would get the mitutoyo. Whatever the error is in the igauging, I don't think I can shoot the difference....

 

[Rsadams]

Mitutoyo , finally bought them last year after using cheap calipers for years.... Buy a real set be careful there's plenty of crap China knock offs out there and there's actually a web page that tells you how to tell the difference.... When you see a pair and there's plenty on eBay for $20 their FAKE... Once you buy some you will never go back... I may not need the accuracy they offer but almost never having to rezero them is great... The only time it doesn't read all zeros is when they get a speck of dirt on them.... A fast wipe of the jaws and they go right back to zero.... Seriously I don't think $130- $150 is to expensive for a fine instrument... If you're not up for that just stick with a $30-$50 dollar set...

Kinda like a scale , until you hit the $300 range there all about the same after you hit $500 they get real nice... I don't need anything better than a tenth of a grain so I can get off for around $200 but that doesn't mean it's a nice scale it's definitely usable but not in the same league as what a scale that cost double is...Does it weigh sure but does it drift sure it does about the time you get going good you have to stop and deal with the scale again... Like a nice scale the mitutoyo calipers don't need to be constantly messed with to get them zeroed and keep them zeroed.... Plus you get great accuracy... They are worth it...

 

[vegas]

I'd go here:

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Series 500 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper, 0 to 6" (0 to 150 mm), imperial/metric

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Series 500 ABSOLUTE Digimatic Caliper, 0 to 6" (0 to 150 mm), imperial/metric. Great savings PLUS Free Shipping when you buy now from GlobalTestSupply.com. In stock, fast shipping!

www.globaltestsupply.com

I bought from them before. Reputable company and good prices.

Thanks for posting this. Been wanting to upgrade my calipers for a while now and have some on it's way!

 

[praveen]

I've used Starrett dial calipers for years. Sometimes use a Fowler dial as well. Starrett is surely smoother of the two.
However, I recently bought an inexpensive digital .. https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01407A-Electronic-Digital-Stainless/dp/B000GSLKIW/
It's made well for what I need it for and I seem to be gravitating towards it more and more.

 

[marchx]

I use Swedish caliper LIMIT:

DIGITAL CALIPER LIMIT CDN 150 - Precision measuring instruments | Limit

Digital Vernier calipers with large LCD screen with 13 mm large digits for quick reading of measurement results. Can measure […]

limit-tools.com

I only use the DIN/ISO certified calipers intended for official measurements in the industry.

 

[bozo699]

I use Swedish caliper LIMIT:

DIGITAL CALIPER LIMIT CDN 150 - Precision measuring instruments | Limit

Digital Vernier calipers with large LCD screen with 13 mm large digits for quick reading of measurement results. Can measure […]

limit-tools.com

I only use the DIN/ISO certified calipers intended for official measurements in the industry.

Be nice if the put a price on them!….
Wayne