Good, inexpensive, digital dial caliper- Is there such an animal?

[Toolbreaker]

I'm old-school, so prefer dial or vernier calipers (and measuring tools in general) over digital. If I were going to get a set of digitals though, I'd opt for Mitutoyo. Several of the fellas in my shop use them, and their work tells me that they are accurate for what they do. Our main CNC guy has been using the same set for several years without any hiccups to my knowledge.

I would suggest spending a few dollars more for a better built set. Removing measurement concerns is worth the price difference, IMO.

 

[jonbearman]

I bought 3 sets of the harbor freight digitals and they all passed mandatory inspection at gleason works. I have mitutoy's, staretts and others but theirs work and measure just fine.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Igaging Absolute Origin is on par with a Mitutoyo, Maybe not down the road but definitely better then Frankford.. I would dare to say nothing @ it's price point compares..


Ray

 

[Bayou]

Many years ago, I was given a set of Brown and Sharpe laboratory grade calipers. Model 579-1. They seem to be Swiss made and of exceptional quality, and would recommend this brand.

Bayou

 

[BillPa]

Without a set of these its only an assumption any mic or caliper is indicating accurately.

Bill

 

[Raythemanroe]

I would assume for personal reloading uses repeatability is trump..


Ray

 

[amlevin]

People tend to spend far too much for tools just because they think they need the accuracy out to the fourth decimal place.

Then they get "out shot" by someone who merely measures his ammo using a plastic dial indicator style caliper.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

We hear much talk around here of measuring to the .0001th of an inch, and I'm thinking, "those guys must have some killer skills and instruments." : jd

Agreed. Resolution does not in any way equal accuracy. Having worked in real life tool and die making, I'm amazed at how loosely claims of accurately measuring and machining in "tenths" is tossed around on shooting forums, by people who are working from their basement reloading rooms...with a set of calipers...and it's actually accepted as being TRUE! Even to the point of being some sort of standard for workmanship. Anyone who makes these claims should be able to prove them, which is actually even harder than doing it.


Don't take my word for it...go see your real life local tool and die shop foreman and ask him what's involved in working to .0002" tolerances and how to verify them.

 

[jimcasey01]

We hear much talk around here of measuring to the .0001th of an inch, and I'm thinking, "those guys must have some killer skills and instruments." : jd

Agreed. Resolution does not in any way equal accuracy. Having worked in real life tool and die making, I'm amazed at how loosely claims of accurately measuring and machining in "tenths" is tossed around on shooting forums, by people who are working from their basement reloading rooms...with a set of calipers...and it's actually accepted as being TRUE! Even to the point of being some sort of standard for workmanship. Anyone who makes these claims should be able to prove them, which is actually even harder than doing it.


Don't take my word for it...go see your real life local tool and die shop foreman and ask him what's involved in working to .0002" tolerances and how to verify them.

Agreed.

 

[1shot]

In 1975 fresh out of high school I went to work in a factory where my main tool was a dial caliper. Being practically new to the whole adult world I ask around to see what others were using. I then went out and bought a Fowler. About a month a go as I walked through shop I caught them on my pants leg. That was the first fall since I bought them and they landed on one of the worst points. The ID measuring points! After a quick change of pants, I carefully lightly touched them up on a fine sear stone. To this day I have not had to re-zero them. not once.
My dad told me to buy once, cry once and I believe that to be an accurate statement.
Lloyd

 

[amlevin]

Don't take my word for it...go see your real life local tool and die shop foreman and ask him what's involved in working to .0002" tolerances and how to verify them.

You mean the "little" things like a controlled temperature environment to start out?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Don't take my word for it...go see your real life local tool and die shop foreman and ask him what's involved in working to .0002" tolerances and how to verify them.

You mean the "little" things like a controlled temperature environment to start out?

Yes sir....and how long you hold the mic in your hand..of course that assumes that it's properly calibrated with standards at 68-72°...not to mention the lathe or machine, itself..and how true it is, and the headstock bearings, and temperature, and tool deflection..yada, yada.

 

[hogpatrol]

Don't take my word for it...go see your real life local tool and die shop foreman and ask him what's involved in working to .0002" tolerances and how to verify them.

You mean the "little" things like a controlled temperature environment to start out?

Yes sir....and how long you hold the mic in your hand..of course that assumes that it's properly calibrated with standards at 68-72°...not to mention the lathe or machine, itself..and how true it is, and the headstock bearings, and temperature, and tool deflection..yada, yada.

Throw in measurements in the metric system for added fun. ;D

 

[XTR]

I've used a cheap set of Frankfort Arsenals for yrs, they work well enough for reloading purposes. Unless you already have everything else you need for reloading (yea, right) and just want a high end set get the Frankforts.

It's kind of like a custom action for long range F class; you can win the National Championship with a Savage (it's been done, twice) but having a DefinacePandaBordenBat is really cool but doesn't do anything for your score.

 

[Joe R]

ddavis510 said:
Good, inexpensive, digital dial caliper- Is there such an animal?

Can anyone point me to a digital dial caliper that is measures accurately, holds its zero, and wont break the bank?

Thanks in advance,
Dan

I can assure you there is such a thing as a good caliper that won't break the bank. First off, regardless of which calipers you go with you need a pin gauge so you can verify that they are working well after you've bought them. Here's one for a .308 http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/78375045. Using a pin gauge not only verifies the calipers are OK but it helped me as a newbie get the "feel" to measuring properly.

The second thing I would advise you is to get an 8" caliper instead of the usual 6" because by the time I attached bump gauges to it the "handle" was feeling too short.

Having said all of that I use the Harbor Freight one like the picture below http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=calipers+. So when you drop them, if they break you won't feel too bad. I did that with my Mitutoyo, my first set of calipers, and that was $170 wasted. The $30 HF have been working just fine for the last 3 years.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[Sheldon N]

For an extra $10, I would MUCH rather get the iGaging Absolute Orgin calipers. This guy does a good job in his review of stacking it up against other cheap (as well as expensive) calipers. Excellent performance, and I can still feel okay about dropping them.

Here's part 1 of his review...

https://youtu.be/1yqZx_FNbSs

Here's the final result, first place...

https://youtu.be/VMf2_JD3aCg

 

[waldo1979]

From an accuracy perspective even the crappiest Chinese caliper are generally accurate. Harbor freight in particular seem to be fairly accurate.

That said, this is a tool you'll use very often in reloading. Finer tools are easier to use. I spent $100 and got myself one of these:

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6"/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution, LCD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IG46NL2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_nOBkwbJBV9DA3

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have good high end calipers, I bought the Igaging Absolute Origin after reading some reviews.. I just wanted another digital for some dedicated reloading stuff and it is nice to have some cheaper beater tools around.. I haven't experienced anything showing me that the Igaging caliper is lacking. Works as smoothly, feels as tight and solid, gives the same numbers.. Price was $39 shipped



Ray

 

[gunnermhr]

So, spend $40 or $60 on a lesser brand when you could have Mitutoyo Absolute, why! I'm not knocking the lesser names by any means but what doesn't make sense to me is why you would have a hobby that consumes thousands of dollars and you want to skimp on a tool that gets used as much as your reloading press. I'm not singling anyone out its just an observation from the entire thread.

I started this hobby many years ago and used the plastic RCBS dial caliper, when it became unreliable (wore out) I bought a Mitutoyo Dial, then recently switched to the Absolute just because I wanted to have a digital display. I had many accurate rounds loaded with the RCBS, but once I used the Mitutoyo I realized how much nicer they are to use.

You're right, the lesser brands might be just as accurate, but just like a BAT action compared to a Savage, there is a noticeable difference in quality that cannot be argued against.

Besides, skip dinner on the town for a night and buy the better brand, it will be with you a lot longer than dinner, we'll maybe!

 

[Raythemanroe]

A Salvage action doesn't compare to a a BAT, I'm not paying over twice for something that doesn't have any benefit other then a name.. They are both imported, I don't weigh my tools on the cost of them.. If we are comparing names to tools I would compare Igaging to Sightron and Mitutoyo to March and a Harbor Freight to Tasco a plastic caliper to Salvage.. That is how I rate things



Ray