Calipers

[Pete]

Buy the best (read most accurate) calipers you can afford. Calipers are not as accurate as micrometers but large mics get pricey. It pays to develop measurement techniques that are consistent & always check your zero before you measure anything. Just because you get a reading, if you don't know your zero, the measurement means nothing.

 

[jcwit]

I've got calipers all the way from $200 Starrett, to $10 Harbor Freight, with Mitutoyo, Fowler, SPI, and even a set of Brown & Sharp tossed in.

Guess what, they all measure the same, but remember they are an instrument, NOT A TOOL, handle them carefully and do not drop them.

As far as the Harbor Freight being "cheap" "Chinese", take a look at the country of orgion of a Nikon camera the next you able to.

 

[Legba]

Mitutoyo digital readout, I have been in quality control for 15 years seen a lot of cheap calipers that operators would bring in to use and I would try to master them on a certified master block and although the dial would "zero" your true reading of a given dimension could be off by several thousandths or more.

I don't reload but if I did I would use a premium measuring device I could rely on, and I would invest in some master's to periodically check that the device is accurate.

So true. If you want a set of calipers that is going to last years Mitutoyo is the best IMO. I have had my Mitutoyo dig mics going on 12 years now with everyday use with no issues. Best $150.00 I have ever spent. Investing in a gage tree and a master block is a wise choice. If you take care of of them they will last many many years. Using a caliper for measuring DIA is not a real good idea either. You really want to use a mic for that.

You use GageTrak Joe where you work?

 

[Joe K]

@ Legba I have used GageTrak for years, I was with Kennedy Enterprises for 4 years, prior to that PK-USA, Moriden America with the auto industry so hit and miss, I went into Food.

I sure do miss metal, and all the gages and good times that went with Automotive QC, sounds like your a QC guy too?

 

[Oresti]

We use an $30 OEM brand dial one at work, we've beaten it and abused it and it's still spot on.

How do you know?

 

[Legba]

@ Legba I have used GageTrak for years, I was with Kennedy Enterprises for 4 years, prior to that PK-USA, Moriden America with the auto industry so hit and miss, I went into Food.

I sure do miss metal, and all the gages and good times that went with Automotive QC, sounds like your a QC guy too?

Yes I am Joe. Make automotive bolts.

 

[jurassicnarc]

After 40+ years of use and abuse, my Mitatoyo dial calipers have given super performance. Prorate the cost over a 40 year period and they are downright cheap. Noticing a little play finally, they are being retired... guess where I'm going for a replacement?

 

[Cerberus]

What can I say about calipers. I own nice Starrett dial pairs in English and Metric, Digital Mitutoyos, cheap Lymans, and cheap imports in both 6 & 12" models. Calipers are good for quick measurements where precise measurements aren't critical. Dial or digital calipers aren't meant to hold better than .001-.002 tolerences. If you want precise, then get quality vernier calipers or micrometers. For reloading buy cheap dials.

 

[87iroc]

Harbor Freight will suit your needs very well.

Before someone chimes they eat up batteries, the fix is to cut the foam in the box where the On/Off button contacks when the case is shut.

Thats a money suggestion there! I have 2 sets and every time I open them it seems the batteries dead!

Thanks!

I second the digital Harbor Freight calipers. They have served me well...but I don't do high end work...