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Which neck wall thickness gauge to use???

DngBat7

Silver $$ Contributor
Looking for my first neck thickness gauge. I figured instead of buying the wrong one and have to replace it, rather buy the correct one off the bat. Which is why I’m asking. I was considering the Sinclair digital handheld gauge which is highly rated or the Redding

Sinclair model
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...meters/digital-thickness-gauge-prod36561.aspx

Redding model
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...age-w-indicator-sku749101759-39927-75798.aspx

Was gonna get the Sinclair, But I do like the idea of having both my hands free with redding

Thanks again. This forum has helped me a lot!
 
Dan S said:
Looking for my first neck thickness gauge. I figured instead of buying the wrong one and have to replace it, rather buy the correct one off the bat. Which is why I’m asking. I was considering the Sinclair digital handheld gauge which is highly rated or the Redding

Sinclair model
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...meters/digital-thickness-gauge-prod36561.aspx

Redding model
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...age-w-indicator-sku749101759-39927-75798.aspx


Thanks again. This forum has helped me a lot!
Click to expand...

If it were me, I’d get a decent quality ball micrometer that measures to ten-thousands and a stand off of Amazon. I have the insize measuring tool and hardly ever use it now that I have a decent ball micrometer which I use to measure case neck thickness during neck turning operations and general checks of bass neck wall thickness. - For the sake of real accuracy we need a tool that can measure down in the ten-thousands range.
 
LA50SHOOTER said:
If it were me, I’d get a decent quality ball micrometer that measures to ten-thousands and a stand off of Amazon. I have the insize measuring tool and hardly ever use it now that I have a decent ball micrometer which I use to measure case neck thickness during neck turning operations and general checks of bass neck wall thickness. - For the sake of real accuracy we need a tool that can measure down in the ten-thousands range.
Click to expand...
Can you send me a link to a decent one?
 
Dan S said:
Can you send me a link to a decent one?
Click to expand...

http://kmshooting.com/mitutoyo-micrometer.html This is the one that dkhunt14 spoke of and is Excellent because as he’s stated it allows close measurements to the neck shoulder junction.

I’m using one made by Holland which I bought at MidwayUSA that I got during a previous sale.

Just go to www.amazon.com and enter “ball micrometer”. - Mitutoyo is one of the better precision tool makers along with Starrett. Just remember that you get what you pay for and on amazon there will be a lot of options. I wouldn’t buy the cheapest or the most expensive one. Something in the 100 to 200 dollar price range. After all we are speaking about precision tools. If you buy a decent one it will last forever if properly taken care of.

If I had it all to do over again, I’d get the K&M as Matt has hi-lighted and be done. K&M makes some high quality tools that “work” and will last.
 
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012725281/hollands-case-neck-ball-vernier-micrometer

Here is a link to the Holland model at midwayusa. You may be able to get it direct from Holland’s shooters supply as well.

For a stand / holder you can get that at Amazon. You’ll want this as it holds the micrometer and allows your hands to hold the piece of brass and adjust .the micrometer for taking measurements. It’s one of those operations where you need a decent secure stand or 3 hands to do it.
 
do any of these have any sort of click stop? I tend to over tighten
 
Last edited:
Dan S said:
Ok. Try not to make fun of me. But do any of these have any sort of click stop? I tend to over tighten
Click to expand...

Both Ball Mic's have a "Ratcheting" style stop that is employed to help alleviate inconsistencies during the measuring process. - When you buy one of these micrometers, take the 10-15 minutes to READ the instructions and product description literature - It will help provide the "insight" needed especially if you are new to using these type of tools. - That way you understand "how" they work and don't damage the tool(s) in the process.
 
I bit the bullet and bought a good tube mic. Mine's a Mitutoyo, and it is excellent. Starrett is the other major brand and of similar quality. You will cry over the price tag, but they last forever. It's a once in a lifetime purchase, so I don't mind paying for quality. If you want to have both hands free, you can also get a micrometer stand.
 
Dan S said:
do any of these have any sort of click stop? I tend to over tighten
Click to expand...

If you are relying of the ratchet clutch ("click stop") to measure you will end up with unreliable readings; the ratchet clutch is for protection of the instrument. It takes a bit of practice to develop a consistent 'touch' with a micrometer but once you do it will be fast and you will be able to be more precise with your measurements.
 
I prefer a standard ball micrometer with the 10 thousands graduations. Amazon has them for about 50 bucks .

When I started using micrometers, I was told it wasn’t a C clamp. LOL! A word of advice is to practice on a known, such as a set of feeler gages or drill bits. A consistent lite touch is key!
 
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