which calipers are worth it?

[OldmaninNeb]

My 2nd set of Calipers just decided to stop reading. (battery changed) ...I'm not making my living off reloading, but do appreciate a good tool. Anyone have a favorite? easy to change batteries?
Thanks for any input.
Gary

 

[25MAN]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

My favorite are Starrett's...not digital so no batteries needed.

http://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail?k=120A-6 W/SLC

 

[rusty815]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Just get an inexpensive dial caliper, no batteries and you don't have to worry about it crapping out on you.

 

[ToddKS]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

+1 on the dial caliper. I bought mine at Sears for $40 and have never had a problem.

 

[wIg SpLiTtEr]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

I use RCBS polymer and they seem pretty consistent however you of coarse can't go wrong with a pair of stainless

 

[JGorski]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just get an inexpensive dial caliper, no batteries and you don't have to worry about it crapping out on you. </div></div>
Rusty, I see you have a 708 Vanguard, How does it shoot, buddy just bought one on friday?

 

[McLarenross]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Depends on how much you wanna spend. If you want digital then the HF ones will only last about a year a piece. I have 3 broken ones sitting on a shelf cause I cant bring myself to throw them away. lol. If you can read a dial caliper Id suggest that. I have and use dial calipers from all the best companies and Ive only ever had to have 1 rebuilt. Starrett, Mitutoyo and Browne & Sharp are the best money can buy and make both digitals and dial. If your not into spending that much money on one but still want pretty good quality look at Shars and Fowler. Both are good for home/hobby work and will last a long time.

 

[Boomholzer]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Check out Mitutoyo if your looking for a basic digi calipers that is going to last. About $120 for the Absolute/500.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Mitutoyo & Brown & Sharpe are the best calipers. I wouldn't waste my money on anything else.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

The Mitutoyo I have, I made frequent use of the little copper disconnect because it always got out of calibration. The problem is solved now because I somehow lost the pinion gear? I have a pretty good quality dial made in China that I like and has never given me any static whatsoever. I have some off brand 12" dial that I use strictly as a bullet comparator. I think it's Chinese too? I do not trust the Harbor Freight digital and avoid using it whenever possible.
BB

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Get a pair of 6" SS name brand dial calipers and a good 0-1" & 1"-2" mics with carbide faces on the mics and you'll be set.

I use Starret & Mitutoyo Mics but prefer the Mitutoyo mics, Mitutoyo 6" dial calipers & Brown & Sharp depth mics.

All three make quality stuff and you wont go wrong with any of them. Calipers will get you close but, for precision measuring and dead nuts numbers, use the mics.

 

[rusty815]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JGorski</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just get an inexpensive dial caliper, no batteries and you don't have to worry about it crapping out on you. </div></div>
Rusty, I see you have a 708 Vanguard, How does it shoot, buddy just bought one on friday? </div></div>

Can't speak for the new ones, I got this one back in the 80's and it has taken an unimaginable number of game. I haven't found a load that didn't shoot sub-moa with it.

 

[OldmaninNeb]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

Hey thanks all, can always count on ya for good info.
too bad there wasn't a Concealed Carry going to that movie!

 

[Clark]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

I just did some testing to compare cheap dial calipers to expensive dial calipers to a micrometer.

I used two pin gauges; .7031 inches and .251- inches.
I calibrated the calipers at .7031" and then measured at .251- to find the measurement error.

There did not seem to be any tracking error in the three instruments over the .452" range.
There were repeatably errors.

The cheap [SPI $20] dial calipers, give a dozen measurements, would vary .0020".

The expensive [Mitutoyo $80] calipers, given a dozen measurements, would vary .0002".

The micrometer [ENCO $50], given a dozen measurements, would vary .0002". That instrument is hard to calibrate. It takes tool(s).

 

[Mcarnell82]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

I have a cheap digital caliper that has never let me down and the accuracy is good enough for the things you would measure with calipers. I also have a fowler digital and really like it for the money. It seems to have less error and just feels a lot better as far as quality.

 

[Mike Sobr]

Re: which calipers are worth it?

My $20. Midway digitals always measure the same as my $125. Mitutoyo's..... but if I didn't have the Mitu's first I would always be second guessing the elcheapo's. Funny how the mind works.