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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Feb 7, 2023 13:22:46 GMT -5
Hey Everyone,
For years, I've been using a Franklin Armory pair of calipers/micrometer and it's been fine. It's showing it's age and I have trouble getting consistent readings. So, I want to get something a little better. Seen some really nice ones for well over $100, but it may be worth it. What do you gentleman recommend?
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 7, 2023 14:35:30 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, For years, I've been using a Franklin Armory pair of calipers/micrometer and it's been fine. It's showing it's age and I have trouble getting consistent readings. So, I want to get something a little better. Seen some really nice ones for well over $100, but it may be worth it. What do you gentleman recommend? ***** I trust a good dial caliper more than a digital. Advantage of digital: instant switch to metric. For measuring bullet diameter, etc., a micrometer is more accurate that the dial or digital, caliper. Periodically wipe off battery and contacts of digital caliper. Wipe off new battery before install. David Bradshaw |
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Post by blacktailslayer on Feb 7, 2023 15:12:37 GMT -5
Mitutoyo are a good brand of precision measuring equipment, whether calipers or micrometers. I agree with Mr. Bradshaw, prefer dials and thimbles over screens.
Don D.
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Post by leftysixgun on Feb 7, 2023 20:18:14 GMT -5
Starrett micrometers and Brown and Sharp dial calipers. But, this is a pretty personal thing.
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2dogs
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 4
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Post by 2dogs on Feb 7, 2023 22:14:06 GMT -5
Starrett micrometers and Brown and Sharp dial calipers. But, this is a pretty personal thing. This is great advice. |
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
max
Posts: 1,770
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Post by Aggie01 on Feb 7, 2023 22:15:30 GMT -5
Outside of reloading, I have been running aerospace QC inspection/calibration/metrology groups for a little over a decade - I have seen a lot of measuring tools.
Cheap calipers are fine (to a point - not the plastic ones). But - I only go dial. Digital gets weird with low but not dead batteries and will make you think you are losing your mind.
Can you feel the difference in a $30 harbor freight or franklin caliper vs a starrett or mitutoyo? Absolutely. Does it MEASURE more "accurately"? - not really.
Quality can make a difference in longevity if your calipers is in your hand all day, but not with infrequent use.
That last .001 you think you are reading on a calipers is imagination. If I need something closer than .002, I get a mic.
Most of my calipers here are "retired" calipers that wouldn't hold calibration.
If you want precision, you need a micrometer. Spend the money on it, don't go house brand. Mitutoyo is good bang for the buck. Again - no digital.
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Post by tullymars on Feb 7, 2023 22:29:55 GMT -5
Another thing to consider with these tools is there is a certain amount of skill needed to use them,
especially with micrometers.
Three guys can measure the same part and get three different readings when you get down to the third digit.
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Post by longoval on Feb 7, 2023 22:30:42 GMT -5
I agree with the above! At work we have tons of Starrett tools. At home I do ok with Franklin dial calipers. Cheap calipers are ok, spend your money on a 0-1" micrometer. Mine is Mitutoyo and wasn't too expensive.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,107
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Post by edk on Feb 7, 2023 22:42:39 GMT -5
Are you paying full price? Then worry about brand if you want. As a hobbyist most of my tools come from used machine tool stores, Craigslist, etc. I might slightly prefer Starrett to Mitutoyo but if the tool is minty and priced to sell it doesn't matter which of those names are on it (or a few others). Last purchase: I know an Interapid indicator tops a Starrett last word however I was offered a Starrett new-in-box for $50. Walking away from that to buy the $300 Interapid would be silly unless you were a very serious hobbyist.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,107
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Post by edk on Feb 7, 2023 22:44:27 GMT -5
Another thing to consider with these tools is there is a certain amount of skill needed to use them, especially with micrometers. Three guys can measure the same part and get three different readings when you get down to the third digit. Especially when it comes to telescoping bore gages, small hole gages, etc. |
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Post by Quick Draw McGraw on Feb 7, 2023 23:42:58 GMT -5
Getting some real good feedback. I should have been more specific in my use. These aren't just for reloading but for gunsmithing. Installing sights is a new trade I am up to, and my current calipers are not consistent. The Franklin Armory calipers I have are at least 20 years old, probably 30. They came from my brother who most likely got them from my dad. They work, but I'd like better consistency and accuracy.
That said, keep the experiences coming, this is very insightful and very much appreciated. I hadn't realized until now that a micrometer was not only so different but also seems to be more specific in its measurements.
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
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Post by contender on Feb 8, 2023 10:34:44 GMT -5
I like to own quality tools for serious work. I figure I can screw up anything by myself,, so using good quality tools removes the mechanical failures. Puts the monkey back on the operator. (Me.)
Mitutoyo, Starrett, & even Brown & Sharpe are all good tools. And I too prefer dials & thimbles over digitals.
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Post by RoninPA on Feb 8, 2023 13:05:53 GMT -5
Aggie01, I totally agree with your assessment. I was a metrologist for 26 years in the USAF and ran USAF metrology labs (PMEL, then TMDE) for 12 years and built 2 metrology labs for the Egyptian AF.
Accurate measuring tools are like good scopes for firearms, buy once, cry once and you'll get good consistent readings that you can trust with a well made dial caliper and micrometer. The instruments mentioned are all good and have earned their reputations.
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Post by parallaxbill on Feb 8, 2023 14:10:36 GMT -5
Brands and types I've used in my 43 year machinist career.
Fowler dial calipers and conventional micrometers, made in Japan, meaning early manufacture
Brown and Sharp dial and digital calipers
Etalon dial calipers, same as B&S
Peacock, only those made in Japan
Starrett, but not the Chinese manufactured ones. They were garbage.
Mitotoyo, made in Japan, both dial and digital although I prefer the non battery powered "Solar" model.
I'll have to check my tool boxes again because I probably one or two out. I always preferred dial calipers for quick checking many pieces because I could focus on that needle repeating a measurement faster than I could reading digits.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,107
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Post by edk on Feb 8, 2023 18:52:51 GMT -5
Brands and types I've used in my 43 year machinist career. Starrett, but not the Chinese manufactured ones. They were garbage. Don't have any after 1985-1990. When did they go Chinese? |
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