Calipers what do you use price ?
- Thread starter Rule3
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As with any tool, once you've become accustomed to a certain feel and/or perceived level of quality, it's hard to go back. I'm guilty of this in certain specific tools that I keep in the shop. After using a $200.00 jigsaw, it's hard to go back to a $20.00 B&D, for instance. (Well, this is a bad example, until quick change blades are available on a $20.00 saw!)
For now, I have been using harbor freight calipers. When the battery gets low, they start acting screwy. And the on/off button stopped working after a couple of years, but it works fine after a detail cleaning. I don't know how far "off" the accuracy is, but it's not by much. I use it for CAD, as well, and it has never steered me wrong. As far as precision/repeatability, I find no fault with the device.
I was prompted to buy calipers for reloading, and now I don't know how I ever lived without them. It's been a long while since I last reloaded, and most of my gear is in storage. But I use the calipers quite frequently.
As for batteries, I don't see this as an issue, at all. When the LR44 alkaline battery dies, replace it with an LR44 silver oxide and you're set for a long time. Modern microcontrollers have truly tiny sleep current draw, basically insignificant. Today, even the cheapest of mass-produced Chinese battery-op electronics are usually implementing this technology, properly.
For now, I have been using harbor freight calipers. When the battery gets low, they start acting screwy. And the on/off button stopped working after a couple of years, but it works fine after a detail cleaning. I don't know how far "off" the accuracy is, but it's not by much. I use it for CAD, as well, and it has never steered me wrong. As far as precision/repeatability, I find no fault with the device.
I was prompted to buy calipers for reloading, and now I don't know how I ever lived without them. It's been a long while since I last reloaded, and most of my gear is in storage. But I use the calipers quite frequently.
As for batteries, I don't see this as an issue, at all. When the LR44 alkaline battery dies, replace it with an LR44 silver oxide and you're set for a long time. Modern microcontrollers have truly tiny sleep current draw, basically insignificant. Today, even the cheapest of mass-produced Chinese battery-op electronics are usually implementing this technology, properly.
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dickttx
Member
I have a set of digital I gave $11.50 for from Amazon about 4 years ago. I also have a set of $10 HF about 3 years old. One in the house and one on the reloading bench. To be truthful I very seldom use either of them.
I am not an experimenter and I set up my loads to function in my pistols. I don't need a caliper to tell me it is too long when I am setting one up. The plunk test will tell me that. Same for the crimp. From then on I just make sure they look like the previous ones.
I look for usability and value.
Thank goodness, after about 25 years, my Rolex my wife got me one Christmas lost the threads on the stem. I now have a nice titanium case Seiko that cost about 1/20 of what the Rolex did and is 1000% more accurate.
I am not an experimenter and I set up my loads to function in my pistols. I don't need a caliper to tell me it is too long when I am setting one up. The plunk test will tell me that. Same for the crimp. From then on I just make sure they look like the previous ones.
I look for usability and value.
Thank goodness, after about 25 years, my Rolex my wife got me one Christmas lost the threads on the stem. I now have a nice titanium case Seiko that cost about 1/20 of what the Rolex did and is 1000% more accurate.
morcey2
Member
I've got two sets of the HF cheapies. One is dedicated to the hornady OAL and Headspace measuring tools. Both work fine for me.
Matt
Matt
doubleh
Member
I have managed to accumulate five different calipers over the years. First was a vernier Starrett. It's been retired for several years as those little bitty numbesr have shrunk to the point I can't read 'em anymore, even with a magnifier. Got a medium priced digital that I've had long enough to forget the brand name that I use for quick measurements for lathe work and a Mitutoyo dial that I grab for pretty close work. Exact gets a micrometer. A couple of years ago I added a $12 Harbor Freight digital to the range box for measuring targets. Now and then I will check each for accuracy. I admit that none of them gets used every day or even every week and sometimes not even every month but each is always spot on.
ironworkerwill
Member
I purchased some mitutoy DIALcalipers used from the lgs years ago. Could not be happier. $35 bucks for a very accurate tool. I jus seen them on flea-bay for bout the same price. I have used the digital kind and it leaves much to be desired. Do yourself a favor and get a good set.
splattergun
Member
Harbor Freight. $10, came with spare battery.
22popnsplat
Member
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- Aug 12, 2004
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I have used the the same starretts for so many years , They were not cheap and I don't think there were any cheap chinese ones around . I paid about $60 for a 6 inch set about 35 years ago
medic15al
Member
My dad is a retired machinist and we use his Starrett dial calipers.
Pit4Brains
Member
OEM brand dial I picked up at Autozone if I remember right. I set the zero with a "felt pressure" and then measure my casings/oal at that time. I'd go digital, but an O.A.L. gauge and comparator are next in my budget..
SouthernDawg
Member
I use both a mitutoyo And brown -n-sharp had them for years. paid a a lot of money for them back in the day when i was still in machining.
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