Digital Calipers 2

[flyfunky]

Can anyone recommend a model of digital calipers? Accuracy requried is 0.0005". I am finding online information is confusing resolution with accuracy and want to make sure I get the right tool the first time.

Thanks a million,
Rebecca

 

[byrdj]

I prefer starret. never liked the digital myself, but mechanics like the 799 series

http://www.starrett.com/pages/1115_799_electronic_calipers.cfm

 

[TheTick]

By a vernier and no one will ever steal it. You will have accuracy to .0001"

 

[TheTick]

Buy the 8-inch (at least). I get a chuckle every time my neighbors are stymied by something that is 6.1" long.

 

[berkshire]

flyfunky
Most of the big manufacturers produce decent digital calipers starting at around $100 and very rapidly escalating from there. You have to ask yourself what features you need, or do not need, and price accordingly.
Having acquired one,hide it, in the back of your box.
Then go to Harbor Freight and buy a $24.99 stainless digital caliper It's good to plus or minus 0.001" and give this to the scroungers who want to borrow your digital caliper. Whatever you do, do not, lend your good one out.
B.E.

 

[unclesyd]

Here is pretty good cross section of what's out there. We use a lot of Fowler, Mahr, and Mitutoyo calipers.

Haven't used this one but there are several on this page that state your required accuracy. Mitutoyo is a good instrument.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/69508/Mitutoyo_500-172-20_Digital_Caliper

 

[flyfunky]

Thanks for the valuable information. I will be ordering the Mitutoyo as above.

Berkshire - They will be kept well out of site and I will be only lending out the old Kincrome set haha

Thanks again for your responses

 

[hokie66]

TheTick,
This is not the joke thread, and they didn't get it.

 

[MikeHalloran]

If you actually _use_ the caliper, you will not be impressed with the battery life, no matter the brand. Battery life is further shortened, dramatically, if you have and use a data interface.

Note that you also have to pay extra, a lot, for a digital caliper that is water resistant, and less likely to lose its mind for a while after being sprayed with water- based coolant (which typically has wetting agents in it).



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[flyfunky]

TheTick

I did get a giggle thanks

 

[williedawg]

" By a vernier and no one will ever steal it. You will have accuracy to .0001 "

....where do you buy a VERNIER that's good for tenths ?

 

[mcgyvr]

Beware!!! you WILL break the thumb wheel off that caliper unless you really take care of it.. We have a whole bunch of those here all with broken thumb wheels.. Sometimes the crack takes out the battery compartment too.
We get battery life of about 1-1.5 years with that model. Great caliper though as long as you respect the plastic/thumbwheel.

 

[TheTick]

Vernier to .001"? Had to dig in my memory a little deeper. When I was a young machinist, I used a vernier that went to .0005", and the micrometer (precision C-clamp!) went to .0001".

All the precision in the world doesn't help if you don't learn to hold the thing right.

 

[drawoh]

Are we talking calipers here, or micrometers?

Micrometers, digital or vernier, are good for .0001". I regard calipers as good for .001". The digital readout might indicate .0005", but you should try it out on gauge blocks.

I strongly agree with TheTick about vernier tools. Nobody borrows mine. When I need them, they are in my desk drawer where they belong.

JHG

 

[berkshire]

williedowg,
You buy the vernier caliper and a BIG magnifying glass.
B.E.

 

[ornerynorsk]

Never trust a caliper, whether it's vernier, dial, or digital, to anything closer than 0.003. Of course you can read the graduations to a thou or 5/tenths, it doesn't mean the accuracy is there. You're only fooling yourself. Get a mic if you need to be closer. I started in the machine shop in 1982 and have used nearly every measuring device that is available to a machinist or toolmaker, and a caliper simply cannot be trusted that close. Browne & Sharpe is the hands down winner in a dial caliper, followed by Mauser. Wouldn't waste the money on a digital.

 

[ornerynorsk]

Etalon makes a very good dial caliper as well. Don't know if the Mauser is even being made any longer.

 

[Compositepro]

A digital caliper is awfully convenient to use. I think it also helps measurement accuracy by being able to read while taking the measurement. It allows you to manipulate the calipers to get the smallest reading which means that you are square to the object. And you don't need to be a contortionist as often to read the display accurately.

But, I have seen mechanics accidentally hit the hold button without realizing and take bad readings. Dead batteries is a pain. Dial caliper are almost as convenient as digital and no batteries.

 

[TheTick]

You can trust a caliper about as far as your measuring skills and habits.
[ul][li]Clean oil and grit before measuring[/li]
[li]Hold caliper squarely[/li]
[li]Apply the right touch: enough for solid contact, not enough to deform part[/li]
[li]Check zero before measuring[/li]
[li]A good measurement is one that can be repeated[/li]
[li]Repeatable measurements are good[/li]
[li]It never hurts to cross-check against another instrument[/li]
[li]The CMM is probably wrong[/li]
[li]It takes a special touch to measure hole diameters. Really small holes may be off due to thickness of tines[/li][/ul]

 

[Ron]

I have a Mitutoyo vernier, a Mitutoyo dial and a Starrett dial. All are 6-inch calipers and very close to each other on gage blocks, with the vernier taking the lead.

Most of my measurements do not require such precision, but I use them anyway and then convert to the required accuracy. In my business, it's like measuring with a micrometer, marking with a crayon, and cutting with an axe.