I've noticed I'm having to check the zero my caliper after each case measurement (several per case) because the zero is off a bit more often than it used to be, maybe .0005" when it should read 0.0000. Normally, I check the zero about every few cases, but not feel I have to check zero for each measurement. For example, I think this is happening maybe 5-6 or more times measuring seating depth of 75 rounds. Consequently, I'm having to check zero with each measurement and re-zero fairly often. I've used the caliper regularly reloading for maybe 5 years. I'm not sure if it's worn out or if I can fix this problem somehow. Any thoughts?
My caliper is showing off zero a bit often; new one or fix?
- Thread starter Cassidy
- Start date
Stone jaws lightly for burrs.
Adjust grub screws for slight drag.
Dial or Digital?
Digital I guess.
Replace battery, clean contacts.
Adjust grub screws for slight drag.
Dial or Digital?
Digital I guess.
Replace battery, clean contacts.
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
I picked up a caliper from igaging a while back when everyone was raving about them and it’s done that ever since I took it out of the box. I don’t think a cheap digital caliper is that accurate anyway, so I kept it for reserve duty. No issues with my 10 year old Starrett yet.
Last edited:
L.Sherm
Silver $$ Contributor
Mine does some bouncing around when the battery gets low.
MikeRu
Gold $$ Contributor
My Mitutoyo bounces around when there’s too much play in the two tiny screws that tension a ? Bronze bar on the top side, I think maybe they enforce alignment between the two sliding caliper components. Tighten screws until slight resistance and back off if it restricts the caliper movement.
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
If your loosing zero you cant trust the final measurement either. Should never have to re zero if the jaws are clean. Toss it.
Edit, I should get better at reading the whole thing. .0005 is nothing on a caliper. Your fine. I assumed it was thousandths.
Edit, I should get better at reading the whole thing. .0005 is nothing on a caliper. Your fine. I assumed it was thousandths.
I'm always making sure the surface of the jaws are clean as I've found that just a little dust can make them give me a different reading by .0005". . . not that the .0005" caliper reading is even accurate within 5000 nanometers.
I would bet that there is nothing wrong with your caliper if a jaws type.
After each use, wipe the jaws with a lint free non-abrasive cloth, the type used for eye glasses. The slightest debris will cause them not to zero, debris you can hardly see with the naked eye.
I have two sets of "Anytime" calipers, not the most noted brand, not to mention really inexpensive. I've been using them for several years, heavy use, and they still hold zero but only if I wipe the jaws after use. Keep them clean and they should last a long time.
Unless you have a special machinist micrometer, jaw calipers are not accurate or repeatable to .0005". Most are only certified to be accurate to + or - .001".
After each use, wipe the jaws with a lint free non-abrasive cloth, the type used for eye glasses. The slightest debris will cause them not to zero, debris you can hardly see with the naked eye.
I have two sets of "Anytime" calipers, not the most noted brand, not to mention really inexpensive. I've been using them for several years, heavy use, and they still hold zero but only if I wipe the jaws after use. Keep them clean and they should last a long time.
Unless you have a special machinist micrometer, jaw calipers are not accurate or repeatable to .0005". Most are only certified to be accurate to + or - .001".
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Trying to measure to the "ten thousandth", or even five of them, with calipers is an exercise in OCD. I don't even know why they carried the digits out that far. jd
I don't even know why they carried the digits out that far. jd
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
A quality caliper is actually good to a thou or better if you use it right.
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
Trying to measure to the "ten thousandth", or even five of them, with calipers is an exercise in OCD.
I really wish they hadn’t….lol. As you mentioned, it definitely affects my OCD.
To answer your questions, it is a Mitutoyo Absolute AOS Digimatic, model CD-6" ASX; it measures in 5 tenths of a thousandth, which is why recently sometimes when I check the zero, instead of .0000 it reads .0005. I changed the battery 2 weeks ago and clean/wipe the jaws with microfiber frequently throughout use to be sure I'm getting a correct reading. In earlier weeks/months I don't recall it reading .0005 when checking the zero; it read .0000.
Just Zero it out every time time you use it and I bet it will stay zeroed.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Get one with an actual dial instead of that digital display.
A typical caliper will measure 0-6", you'll need 6 different micrometers to cover that range. The mics will be more accurate of course, and expensive.
Even if you set zero with a Mit, it may not retain that through power on/off cycles, you may have to also set the origin. Other than dirt, the main reason I see for zero drift is ambient temperature. My inside reloading room Mit is quite stable, the one in the garage shop is more finicky that way.
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