Good Dial Caliper

[MJY65]

I've started shopping for a nice dial caliper and am reading some conflicting information. I've heard that the Starrett is a good brand, but other reports say they are now being made with plastic dials. Is the Starrett still the best choice or is something better out there in a similar price range?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jephs422]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

I like the digital style, and out of the 3 I have ($20.00 to $80.00) they all read true. I have calibrated them all on a step gauge.

 

[Infidel]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

Starrett
Mitutoyo
Brown & Sharpe
others

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

I have had the same set of Mutitoyo dial calipers for 6 years and they were at least 6 years old when I got them. They have never let me down.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

I have the $150.00-$160.00 dollar Starret from Midway, Sinclair.
It is very smooth, accurate as I can tell. Does have a plastic dial though. Works for me.

Half the the time for a quick measure, I use my 15 year old Cabela's digital.
At least the Starret hasn't hit the floor yet!

 

[l115a3]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

Starret was my choice but Frankford Arsenal in Digital also good with lower price.

 

[Oneteam]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

I picked up a set of Mitutoyo absolute zero calipers and there is no comparison to the cheapy FA's or other plastic type. Spend the money on good calipers, you will use them all the time.

 

[TacT-MecH]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

If you can find them Brown and sharp makes a really nice dial caliper. My all time favorites so far. But mitutoyo is top notch also then starret in my opinion.

 

[John_M]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

Many would argue Browne and Sharp (Switzerland) is the best dial caliper and Mitutoyo (Japan) is the best digital caliper. Both are available at amazon.com.

The Mitutoyo 8" digital caliper which measures to .0005" is the one I have been using for about a year. It has the accuracy one would expect at this quality/price level. Am also considering the purchase of an 8" Browne and Sharp dial version. Why two calipers? For the same reason many guys have two or more rifles of the same caliber.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

Buy a Starrett!!!

I worked for Starrett for 16 years.

Part of the sales training process was that we had to work in the factory and make a "rack" of specific tools. Those tools were inspected and, if passed, were put into inventory to be sold.

The people who make the Starrett tools are red blooded, hard working Americans who, themselves, want to give their children the best they can afford.

I've sat down at the work benches and worked with these guys and gals, gone hunting and fishing with them. They are good people, the salt of the earth, those people who make the US strong.

Help them earn their daily bread . . . .

God bless America and the Starrett tool makers!!!

 

[MJY65]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killer Spade 13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy a Starrett!!!

I worked for Starrett for 16 years.

Part of the sales training process was that we had to work in the factory and make a "rack" of specific tools. Those tools were inspected and, if passed, were put into inventory to be sold.

The people who make the Starrett tools are red blooded, hard working Americans who, themselves, want to give their children the best they can afford.

I've sat down at the work benches and worked with these guys and gals, gone hunting and fishing with them. They are good people, the salt of the earth, those people who make the US strong.

Help them earn their daily bread . . . .

God bless America and the Starrett tool makers!!! </div></div>

Great point about buying American! I think you've convinced me. As someone with first hand knowledge, any concerns about the plastic parts used in the dial?

 

[230grRN]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

As a machinist for a living and someone who has used the best to probably some of the worst out there. A Starrett or a Brown & Sharpe Dial caliber is about the best of the best.

I personally use Brown & Sharpe and my current caliper is about ten years old and has truly been used and used hard (probably more abused), but it still passes calibration every year. When it needs to be replaced it will get replaced with another one of the same model.

If a digital is what you want the company I work for provides us with Mitutoyo Absolute Digimatics to use, and they are a great caliper and I would not hestitate buying one after seeing what some these calipers have been subjected to and still continue to pass calibration.

Just my 2 cents

 

[memilanuk]

Re: Good Dial Caliper

And yet... the Starrett digital calipers I purchased are probably the worst ones I've ever handled. They literally bind up mechanically under routine use (measuring seating depth with comparator attachments) and have to be pried apart. It's not a 'technique' thing either - others (Starrett fans) have tried them and had the same results.

On my second pair of Mitutoyo digimatic caliper (broke the display on the first pair, my fault), never had any problems with them. *Love* these tools.

I do keep a 'cheap' Lyman steel dial caliper in the range box and for general use around the shop - they work fine, just not digital - personal preference for doing lots of relative measurements like in reloading.