Mike
I've got 2 sets of micrometers that I've had for years, can't remember the make of them but got them from a machinist friend many years ago.
I guess the ease of reading digital appealed over the micrometer but may not be the best choice.
Digital calipers...
- Thread starter 20PPC
- Start date
I've got 2 sets of micrometers that I've had for years, can't remember the make of them but got them from a machinist friend many years ago.
I guess the ease of reading digital appealed over the micrometer but may not be the best choice.
I have a great recommendation on a Micrometer. Please check out igaging. Best $60 I've spent on a tube mic. Accurate enough to measure thermal expansion of small parts. Keep a calibration standard for long term reliability for any Micrometer.
-Mac
Dave, shop around ebay etc, but look at a used optical comparator. You can't beat one for the money, when measuring really small and for radii measurement.
A caliper...any caliper..is just the wrong tool for the job when mearing to a thou or less. Most people make do with a good micrometer but they have to be properly calibrated and acclimated for truly accurate measuring.
You might find a good optical comparator used for nearly the same price as a truly good micrometer and keeping it calibrated, if you shop around for a used one enough.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Youre going to need plenty of standard blocks, a way to properly hold them, humidity and temp controlled environment and some indicating micrometers. The most expensive caliper they make is only good enough for spot checking jacket lengths
I have one from harbor freight has worked fine for years for only a few dollars
I'm from the great pacific NW, home to a lot of machinist and engineers...(had a couple of aero/machinist in the family, my job was to shovel metal chips out of the shop in high school )
If you think about what they need to keep within .0000someththing tolerances for jet engines and so fourth. And then what the average top end competitive reloader is trying to do...NO dis-respect intended.
Two totally different things, if you have a bridgeport and lathe in the garage then spring for the better stuff like a gunsmith would use. An extra hundred $ is no issue, for my bench i went with several of the I-gauging mics and calipers because of really good reviews. They work well and I don't pay a lot of attention to anything past .000 avg. cost $60-70 each.
My old mitoya hand me downs bit the dust
Have fun
Larry
If you think about what they need to keep within .0000someththing tolerances for jet engines and so fourth. And then what the average top end competitive reloader is trying to do...NO dis-respect intended.
Two totally different things, if you have a bridgeport and lathe in the garage then spring for the better stuff like a gunsmith would use. An extra hundred $ is no issue, for my bench i went with several of the I-gauging mics and calipers because of really good reviews. They work well and I don't pay a lot of attention to anything past .000 avg. cost $60-70 each.
My old mitoya hand me downs bit the dust
Have fun
Larry
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Dave, you need a good micrometer rather than any caliper!!
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
This ^^^
I have had the igauging OriginCal for many years now. Have used the best mitutoyo and starett as well. The igauging will perform just as well or better than the best of them.
I also have the igauging origincal digital 1” mic. Reads to half a ten thou. Spring loaded gauge pin so pressure is always the same on your measurements. The spring pressure makes it really nice when spinning round objects in the mic like bullets or case necks. Pressure is always constant so readings are always live without having to adjust anything.
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RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Just my two cents...
Grab an inexpensive electronic 6” caliper from wherever you can and leave those out for general abuse and use, then grab your “good set” from Mitutoyo, Starret, B&S, etc., and keep those safe to be pulled out when the job is critical or when you had some rookie just drop your cheap ones....
Grab an inexpensive electronic 6” caliper from wherever you can and leave those out for general abuse and use, then grab your “good set” from Mitutoyo, Starret, B&S, etc., and keep those safe to be pulled out when the job is critical or when you had some rookie just drop your cheap ones....
Another $.02
You should be thinking mostly,"hands free" or bench tools. Keeping track of room temps/humidity is simple enough,heck we had a "clean room" for years before it got filled with more equipment..... But,it starts to get up close and personal when using hand tools.
Look for a Brown&Sharpe 245 bench micrometer. They're <200 on evilbay.
Here's a shot of what I'm referring to(hands free),albeit this is in the loading room,not the shop.
You should be thinking mostly,"hands free" or bench tools. Keeping track of room temps/humidity is simple enough,heck we had a "clean room" for years before it got filled with more equipment..... But,it starts to get up close and personal when using hand tools.
Look for a Brown&Sharpe 245 bench micrometer. They're <200 on evilbay.
Here's a shot of what I'm referring to(hands free),albeit this is in the loading room,not the shop.
For an inexpensive set buy Hornady calipers, they work well for most of your reloading purposes. My friends have bought cheaper on Amazon and Ebay and been disappointed with their purchase. Hornady is good. HB
Oh no I am getting the 150.00 ones
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Calipers are as good as a tape measure in this application. You can change bullet diameters with lube enough to make them unusable and the most expensive calipers out there wont measure it. We have to stay on topic. Here is some of what youll need:
And for that micrometer youll need a certified gage block in the size you want to measure to zero the mic on and some way to hold it so the heat from your fingers doesnt skew the reading.
And for that micrometer youll need a certified gage block in the size you want to measure to zero the mic on and some way to hold it so the heat from your fingers doesnt skew the reading.
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
1200 and 1400. Yikes!!!
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Agreed. No sense in making new bullets unless they are going to be top quality.
Hornady and Nosler produce enough bullets for the masses that are ok with “pretty good” accuracy
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