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Suggest a decent digital vernier caliper
3/21/2012 1:02:15 AM
Looking at different digital calipers but don't know what brands to trust. Looking to spend less than $50 and I have seen many for around $20. Though I am willing to raise my limit if the perks are worth it.
Thanks in Advance - D5
Thanks in Advance - D5
3/21/2012 7:09:15 AM
There is no such thing as a digital vernier caliper. They are two different things. Here is what a vernier scale is.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
3/21/2012 9:22:54 AM
Thanks for the info.
3/21/2012 3:52:45 PM
Don't reckon I seen a digital very-near before. 
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3/21/2012 6:23:48 PM
Originally Posted By ske714:
There is no such thing as a digital vernier caliper. They are two different things. Here is what a vernier scale is.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
There is no such thing as a digital vernier caliper. They are two different things. Here is what a vernier scale is.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
FTW. I have a pair of Mitutoyo dial calipers that work beautifully, and they didn't hurt the pocket. Also, no batteries to replace.
3/21/2012 6:52:14 PM
I will have to take a look at those.
Originally Posted By RocketmanOU:
FTW. I have a pair of Mitutoyo dial calipers that work beautifully, and they didn't hurt the pocket. Also, no batteries to replace.
Originally Posted By ske714:
There is no such thing as a digital vernier caliper. They are two different things. Here is what a vernier scale is.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
There is no such thing as a digital vernier caliper. They are two different things. Here is what a vernier scale is.
For digital calipers, Starrett would be my first choice, Mitutoyo my second.
ETA: Note that dial calipers are less expensive, but accurate. In your price range, I would think that you could get a better dial caliper than digital.
FTW. I have a pair of Mitutoyo dial calipers that work beautifully, and they didn't hurt the pocket. Also, no batteries to replace.
3/21/2012 8:45:51 PM
What brands to trust......
Well, I think my Mitutoyo is second to none, has taken some hard knocks,and has excellent battery life.
But then, the free/dirt cheap Chinese imports are about as accurate/precise.
Noone ever talks about accuracy compared to known standards. I have a 1" and 2" standards, and 1-2-3 blocks the $10 and $125 dollar calipers check out on, to the 0.000 or .0005. Good enough for me.
All I really need from a caliper is precision, not accuracy. All the accuracy I need is minute of dipstick. I measure things that need to fit together, like a shaft into a bushing or the like. All of them are as precise as I need.
Well, I think my Mitutoyo is second to none, has taken some hard knocks,and has excellent battery life.
But then, the free/dirt cheap Chinese imports are about as accurate/precise.
Noone ever talks about accuracy compared to known standards. I have a 1" and 2" standards, and 1-2-3 blocks the $10 and $125 dollar calipers check out on, to the 0.000 or .0005. Good enough for me.
All I really need from a caliper is precision, not accuracy. All the accuracy I need is minute of dipstick. I measure things that need to fit together, like a shaft into a bushing or the like. All of them are as precise as I need.
3/21/2012 10:02:26 PM
I really only need to go out to hundreths. Anymore is overkill.
3/21/2012 10:12:05 PM
I've used the same 8 inch Mitutoyo dial calipers for 20 years.
3/21/2012 10:16:49 PM
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap.
3/21/2012 10:34:01 PM
Originally Posted By DeltronFive:
I really only need to go out to hundreths. Anymore is overkill.
I really only need to go out to hundreths. Anymore is overkill.
Horseshit. Once you discover how awesome easy, accurate measurements are you'll never look back.
Tape measure? Ya, that goes by the skil saw. Shudder.
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3/21/2012 11:02:36 PM
Thanks for your contributions to this thread.
Originally Posted By Cole2534:
Horseshit. Once you discover how awesome easy, accurate measurements are you'll never look back.
Tape measure? Ya, that goes by the skil saw. Shudder.
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Originally Posted By DeltronFive:
I really only need to go out to hundreths. Anymore is overkill.
I really only need to go out to hundreths. Anymore is overkill.
Horseshit. Once you discover how awesome easy, accurate measurements are you'll never look back.
Tape measure? Ya, that goes by the skil saw. Shudder.
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3/22/2012 2:35:47 AM
Originally Posted By ARS24-7:
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap.
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap.
Why do you think Starrett is crap? Maybe they make some cheaper stuff that is, but Ive never used it. I've got Mitutoyos at home, and Starretts at work. The Starretts are much nicer, though they did cost about twice as much. I've gout a couple of older Starrett indicators that have taken many knocks, and are as smooth and tight as any I've used. Must be like a Ford vs Chevy thing.
3/22/2012 3:00:03 PM
Originally Posted By ske714:
Why do you think Starrett is crap? Maybe they make some cheaper stuff that is, but Ive never used it. I've got Mitutoyos at home, and Starretts at work. The Starretts are much nicer, though they did cost about twice as much. I've gout a couple of older Starrett indicators that have taken many knocks, and are as smooth and tight as any I've used. Must be like a Ford vs Chevy thing.
Ford vs, Chevy...Originally Posted By ARS24-7:
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap.
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap.
Why do you think Starrett is crap? Maybe they make some cheaper stuff that is, but Ive never used it. I've got Mitutoyos at home, and Starretts at work. The Starretts are much nicer, though they did cost about twice as much. I've gout a couple of older Starrett indicators that have taken many knocks, and are as smooth and tight as any I've used. Must be like a Ford vs Chevy thing.
I have Mitutoyo calipers, and dial indicators. they are the best. I have Interapid test indicators. There are none better. Everything else is Starrett.
3/22/2012 3:26:00 PM
How often do you plan to use it?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
3/22/2012 3:30:58 PM
Not often
Small engine
Budget. Would like to be around the $50 mark.
Small engine
Budget. Would like to be around the $50 mark.
Originally Posted By Gun_Crank:
How often do you plan to use it?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
How often do you plan to use it?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
3/22/2012 3:38:18 PM
I've used a 6" dial mito for years. I've knocked it off the bench a few times and the last two caused the parts inside to jump a tooth. A it req'd a complete disassembly as well as the reset function in the manual. Not the tool's fault though, it's the fool that moved other stuff over on the bench shoving the instrument off to the floor. 
I also have a starret mic (vernier) and a mito tubing mic for case necks also vernier.
Honestly for general reloading I tend to suggest any of the dial calipers put out by companies with their names on them, frankford, lyman etc. They're all likely made in the same plant. buy the cheapest and it's probably more than enough for basic reloading. Try to treat it better than I did mine.
I would skip the digitals on the battery issue alone. The dial can sit in the drawer for a 100 years and still function perfectly.
Oops, I didn't notice I wasn't in reloading forum (active topics). If you're making machine parts you may as well buy decent tools unless you know it's going to be in an abusive environment and is relatively disposable/consumable. That said depending on what you're working on even the lyman type will be just fine.
I also have a starret mic (vernier) and a mito tubing mic for case necks also vernier.
Honestly for general reloading I tend to suggest any of the dial calipers put out by companies with their names on them, frankford, lyman etc. They're all likely made in the same plant. buy the cheapest and it's probably more than enough for basic reloading. Try to treat it better than I did mine.
I would skip the digitals on the battery issue alone. The dial can sit in the drawer for a 100 years and still function perfectly.
Oops, I didn't notice I wasn't in reloading forum (active topics). If you're making machine parts you may as well buy decent tools unless you know it's going to be in an abusive environment and is relatively disposable/consumable. That said depending on what you're working on even the lyman type will be just fine.
3/22/2012 3:52:14 PM
Originally Posted By DeltronFive:
Not often
Small engine
Budget. Would like to be around the $50 mark.
Not often
Small engine
Budget. Would like to be around the $50 mark.
Originally Posted By Gun_Crank:
How often do you plan to use it?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
How often do you plan to use it?
What kind of work are you going to be doing with it?
Are you working off a budget, or is the sky the limit?
For limited use I would stick with a mechanical caliper. Back when I had a cheap battery operated caliper, the damn thing was dead every time I went to use it. It was an 8" and I used it about twice a year. I just flipped through a couple catalogs, and I don't like any of your choices in the $50 range. This one, is on sale right now for $97.25
Like other posters have said. Stick with the name brands and you can't go wrong. Brown and Sharpe, Mitutoyo, Starrett, Etalon. I should also say that when I was starting out, I used to buy the cheap chinese calipers two or three at a time for $20ea. Right now Travers has them on sale for 17.49.
I'll post my favorites later.
3/23/2012 12:16:03 AM
It really looks like to get something worth using I will need to spend about $100. At least it will be a one time purchase.
3/23/2012 1:16:16 AM
I have Mitutoyos. They are nice and have great battery life. However, if I were to make the decision today, I would probably by the $10 Harbor Freight specials. Every review I have read has suggested that they are on- the biggest complaint is the battery life.
3/26/2012 8:36:11 PM
I'm not a fan of digital anything, when it comes to hand tools.
Verniers unless you use them everyday can really screw you up.
Get yourself a pair of Dial calipers. My favorites are mitutoyo.
But in order to save yourself some money, Buy some cheapies to start out with. Home depot usually carries them. I say this because untill you get used to how to use them, such as how "to" and "not to" lay them down, your gonna go through a couple of pairs. This may sound silly, But it hurts when you but a pair of 185 dollar mituitoyo carbide tipped calipers, and lay them down on the edge of the table and they get pushed off and bust your tips off.
I am a machinist and Although I own top notch calipers. For daily Work and normal tolerances +- .005" I use my 20 dollar imports. if I question the reading I go to my mitutoyos. If your doing percision work, you should be using Micrometers.
HTH
Verniers unless you use them everyday can really screw you up.
Get yourself a pair of Dial calipers. My favorites are mitutoyo.
But in order to save yourself some money, Buy some cheapies to start out with. Home depot usually carries them. I say this because untill you get used to how to use them, such as how "to" and "not to" lay them down, your gonna go through a couple of pairs. This may sound silly, But it hurts when you but a pair of 185 dollar mituitoyo carbide tipped calipers, and lay them down on the edge of the table and they get pushed off and bust your tips off.
I am a machinist and Although I own top notch calipers. For daily Work and normal tolerances +- .005" I use my 20 dollar imports. if I question the reading I go to my mitutoyos. If your doing percision work, you should be using Micrometers.
HTH
3/26/2012 8:47:57 PM
Originally Posted By ARS24-7:
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap. The only half decent thing still made in USA.
mitutoyo. I have about 18-20 years on mine. starrett is complete crap. The only half decent thing still made in USA.
Mitutoyo is pretty good. I would compare it to a honda. good value very reliable. THE best? Not by anyones strech of the imagination.
Mahr, etalon, and most of the swiss brands are better. They cost more too.
