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Caliper test

Problem 1 is digital calipers, only ones i own are free and never get used
Nothing wrong with digitals, like anything else, you get what you pay for. His results aren't too surprising. Just by his price quotes, he didn't buy the industrial standard Starretts or Mititoyo's with the IP67 rating and certificates of calibration. Out of the box quality is one thing, but lets see the results after a few years of daily usage and see which ones hold out. What he should have done right away was close the jaws on each and hold them in front of a light source to check for light gaps between the jaws, usually the light gap will be at the tips. Notice most of them had different measurements when he just used the tips for measuring the 1-2-3 block. Take any old set of well used calipers, regardless of brand or whether they're digital or dial, and they will also fail that light gap test.

For reloaders, repeatability and longevity/wear over time is what we need to be more concerned with. Starrett and Mititoyo are kings in those categories. Brown and Sharp was sold off a long time ago, they just survive in name only. There's a couple German/Swiss brands out there, but you rarely see them outside of Europe.
 
speaking from experience, mitutoyo last for years with use 5 days a week, rarely change batteries. Worth the money.

For hobbyist buy cheaper is you want.

Here is a snapshot from the results of the video.
IMG_6323.png
 
I have used alot of calipers over the yrs starting with old dial calipers.
My favorite over Starrett is Mitutoyo Coolent Proof Absolute. They also turn off automatically.
They are the best caliper and longest lasting caliper I've ever used, as a professional machinist.
Calipers are reference tools used mainly where measurements are not critical.
Like a reloading hobbyist with COAL measurements.

Modern inspection departments do not have a caliper in the room,...nothing would be certified, as past inspection with a caliper today.
Or even the more accurate micrometer for that matter, is not used.

The CNC machining centers have to be qualified before putting them into production, to see if they are accurate enough to machine the parts they are intended to machine.

Today, this is not done with out dated calipers or micrometers.

But that doesn’t mean ya can't do very accurate work with old outdated machines and measuring devices.
It's what built your rockets and nuclear weapons.
But with modern technology and Mars on the horizon, everything we do is outdated.