I need measuring calipers / tools. Suggestions please?

BigDanS

In my stock of tools I have nothing to measure accurately to small dimensions.

I have no micrometers, calipers, etc. I find myself frequently wanting to measure accurately ammo lengths, ammo necks, gun widths, metal part widths, etc.

I want to get some good measuring devices that will be reliable, allow me to set and or maintain zero, and have repeatability.

I know a few names like Starrett but I really don't know the nuances of the various devices out there. I don't want cheap or expensive junk.

What do you all suggest?

Thanks!

D

Look Out Below

Get Digital Mitutoyo Calipers for +/-.001 and Mitutoyo Mics for +/-.0001 if you need to go that tight, believe me they are one of the best all around, actually every tool I have for my guys are just about all Mitutoyo. B&S are just about as good but I found the Mitutoyo does circles around them.

BucYouUp68

:Agree

drkptt

Look Out Below wrote: »

Get Digital Mitutoyo Calipers for +/-.001 and Mitutoyo Mics for +/-.0001 if you need to go that tight, believe me they are one of the best all around, actually every tool I have for my guys are just about all Mitutoyo. B&S are just about as good but I found the Mitutoyo does circles around them.

We've had three sets of Mitutoyo digital calipers beating around the shop for 10 years and they've been flawless.

Chuckc

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html

I'll take "Cheap digital calipers for $20.00" Alex.

myjack

There aren't any calipers on the market that can be anymore accurate than +/- .001. The may show 1/2 thou increments but it's not a true measurement and not reliable. If you need ten thou incremental measurements (+/- .0001") then you'll need a good micrometer. I calibrate these tools all day and although brands such as Starret, Brown and sharpe are good, mitutoyo have the least amount of issues. I wish american products like these were better. If these are small parts you want to measure then get a mitutoyo 0-1", 1-2" or 2-3" micrometer with accuracy to .0001". IP65 is a rating that's good that does not allow dirt, grit, oils and coolant to seep into the device. That's the problem most instruments have... they get dirty and don't work anymore.

drkptt

Doesn't sound like the OP needs 10-thousandths accuracy:

BigDanS wrote: »

I find myself frequently wanting to measure accurately ammo lengths, ammo necks, gun widths, metal part widths, etc.

Sounds like the wide range of a caliper (6 inch or more) would be handy.

FISHHUNTR

I've got the cheap one Chuckc listed.. works great

Indigo

Mitutoyo 6" Dial with the Carbide jaws will last you a lifetime

I've got a couple cheapy digitals, the good thng about the digitals is that they can switch to metric with the push of a button. Another is that if you want to measure 100 pieces of something with a plus or minus tolerance, you can set the target length to "zero" and instantly see the + or - quickly. the bad thing about the digitals is the batteries go dead (when you really need to measure something)

I do have 6" mitutoyo digital with the SS jaws too

Here's the Carbide dial
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1G1TSNB_ENUS445&gs_upl=562l13000l0l15140l24l24l0l14l3l0l406l2048l0.4.4.0.1l9l0&q=mitutoyo+calipers+carbide&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11181399260246119639&sa=X&ei=bt9eTpfUIYiXtwf4w5ylCw&ved=0CGgQ8wIwAg#

BigDanS

I bought these....

An as new but used Fowler 1 inch through 4 inch micrometers deliverd $48.00



And a cheap digital caliper for $27 delivered from Harbor Freight.



I appreciate all the advice. I will not be working with these under a car and need coolant proof stuff. I figure the Micrometers will be accurate to .001 to .0001 and that will be fine for me. I couldn't measure well past 1 mm before. If the 6 inch caliper is good to even .001 I will be good with that past 4 inches.

D