neck thickness micrometer

[wheelgun7360]

what's the best method to measure case wall thickness? ball micrometer or other means? don't want to spend a fortune on the tool though. allen

 

[jlow]

Really depends on whether you are doing a survey of cases necks where you just want to do it fast and get an approximate number i.e. to cull brass or you are trying to take an accurate reading say after neck turning. For the former, something like a Redding Case Neck Concentricity Gage would work. For the latter, you need a ball micrometer, probably a non digital one to keep cost down.

 

[wheelgun7360]

this will be used for checking turned necks. been looking at a mitutoyo ball micrometer. allen

 

[bobm]

This Starrett anvil mike with a ball pin is dead accurate. You can find stuff like this on ebay reasonable.

 

[michaelnel]

this will be used for checking turned necks. been looking at a mitutoyo ball micrometer. allen

I just bought a nice one here:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SG7PU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[wheelgun7360]

that's the one I have looking at. thanks for all the help guys. allen

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I like the one I got from Sinclair. I know use rubber washers at the base of the stem to ensure I am measuring the same spot on each piece of brass.

 

[Dos XX]

https://www.kmshooting.com/catalog/miscellaneous-items/mitutoyo-wall-thickness-micrometer_60-degree-modification.html

Same Mitutoyo mic with the spindle tapered to allow you to get close to the neck shoulder junction.

 

[Mega]

Yep, this one ... ^^^^^^^ accurate measurements.

 

[tenring]

I bought my Mitutoyo with the spindle end turned down, from Kenny Markle many years ago.

Unless the tip is turned down as shown, it is impossible to measure brass thickness on short neck cases, like the .223

 

[tcoz]

I just use my $35 digital micrometer to check neck wall thickness on reformed 300 BLK brass.

 

[Road_Clam]

I use my home made version ! When you're a machinist for a large pump company you have the resources to get crafty (and I get free retired measuring tools)

I use my LEE case trim arbors as casing support arbors, so I can accurately neck measure .223 , .308 , x39 , and .300WM

 

[Dans40X]

The Starrett Multi Anvil as bobm posted a picture of has served me well for decades & is useful for other tasks in/around the shop as well.

 

[michaelnel]

I had purchased the standard Mitutoyo mic just a few days ago from Amazon, but after seeing the K&M version that tapered nose looked like such a good idea I ordered one of those and am returning the other one to Amazon. Thanks for the tip, guys!

 

[mikecr]

I don't know if your ball mic has adjustment in the anvil. If it does there is no need for a turned down spindle to measure necks long or short.

 

[mikecr]

You need a stop for case mouths also. For some reason beyond my understanding we're left to develop this locally..

 

[deadwooddick]

Is there a reason why a person couldn't just reduce (bevel/taper) the tip, on a belt sander using 120 grit ?

 

[dkhunt14]

You can probably grind it but you better not get it hot and take the hardness out. Matt

 

[dkhunt14]

You need a stop for case mouths also. For some reason beyond my understanding we're left to develop this locally..

When I turn cases and measure I measure at three, six, nine and 12 oclock. I also measure at near mouth, in the middle and especially at the shoulder neck junction. I want my brass to be as good as I can get them. Matt

 

[dogdude]

I use the same set up as mikecr, that is adjustable for were you want to measure, took my smith 20 mins. to do, works great