My Calipers and Mics are all Starretts. They were issued to me years ago. They are still perfect after 43 years of service. I liked them also for the fact that Starrett Tool owner was the Grand father of Chas. Starrett the Durango Kid of the 1950s B-Westerns. That is for you fellows old enough to recall those days. Chas. Starrett passed away in 1986. Sorry to get off the subject just couldn't help myself. :shake:
Caliper or micrometer
- Thread starter billk
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I have both micrometers and vernier calipers. My father was a tool maker so I have of these 50 and 60 year old tools.
Since you have asked for help in making a decision and you really only need one type of precision measuring tool, get the vernier caliper. They are cheaper, almost as accurate and with the digital feature easier to read. This is important to me now that I need glasses to read most anything. I find I use the cheap digital Harbor Freight caliper more often than my fine analog caliper especially since I find that they come up with the same measurements. Yes, I do have to replace a $3.00 battery every year or so.
Since you have asked for help in making a decision and you really only need one type of precision measuring tool, get the vernier caliper. They are cheaper, almost as accurate and with the digital feature easier to read. This is important to me now that I need glasses to read most anything. I find I use the cheap digital Harbor Freight caliper more often than my fine analog caliper especially since I find that they come up with the same measurements. Yes, I do have to replace a $3.00 battery every year or so.
redwing said:
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Joel Boyles
36 Cal.
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I've got Starrett mikes (0-1, 1-2 inch) that I've had for years. Likewise the Starrett dial caliper that's been thrashed around machine shops and loading benches for nearly 20 years. The price is a little higher for Starrett tools, but your grandkids won't wear them out! For what you plan on using it for, a good dial or digital caliper will work just fine. Now if you want to get into sorting round balls into .0001 inch groups, better get a good mike, and a pair of reading glasses.
Just my opinion,
Joel
Just my opinion,
Joel
I'd only like to warn you to stay away from the modern plastic caliphers. They won't give you the same reading two times in a row, when measuring the same object. :barf:
I've got an old steel calipher that I picked up at a flea market for $10. One of the teeth on the shaft is missing, but until you get to 3.154" it works just fine. I've used it to measure case length when I used to play with suppository rifles. :wink:
I've got an old steel calipher that I picked up at a flea market for $10. One of the teeth on the shaft is missing, but until you get to 3.154" it works just fine. I've used it to measure case length when I used to play with suppository rifles. :wink:
I agree 100% on the Starrett.. I just bought a dial caliper, 1" mic and a .5" dial indicator. Definately fine tools still made in the USA. I also have a digital mitutoyo which will measure .0001 that I have on my reloading bench. and a mitutoyo dial caliper which is probably about as old as I am (31) if not older, it was my Dad's which I still carry in my range box and is every bit as accurate as my digital and the Starrett ( mitutoyo is made over seas but not in china)
This is what you want, a vernier caliper. It is easy to read if you are not familiar with the "C" style Mics or the old reliable siding scale Vernier. The Vernier also comes with a dial gauge on it, that is what I use. Lyman cost was around $20.00.
Old style Vernier
"C" Style
Dial
Old style Vernier
"C" Style
Dial
I work in a machine shop and use one of those cheap pair of digital calipers from Harbor Freight. It cost about $15.00 and will stand toe-to-toe with the $500.00 set we have locked away in the Quality Control room. The only drawback with those is sometimes you need to scrape away the burr on the edge of a piece to get an accurate measurement. As far as using them for anything firearms related, I have never needed anything else. And you can't beat the price. Bill
