Calipers

[yzguy]

is there any reason not to get an inexpensive set of dial calipers?
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/119623
or
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/128288

I mean, are they good enough? or a waist of money? I have a cheap set (I mean really cheap, like a sticker says made in China...) that I thought might be ok, but upon measuring a factory round that I pulled the bullet from, I'm pretty sure they are off (factory case measured larger than max). Then I checked it with an equaly cheap micrometer (this only opens up to an inch) and it gave a smaller more believable reading (within rage).

now I want to get a decent set (I also like the thumb wheel), are these linked to above decent? or should I just bite the bullet and get the better ones:

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/899293
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/630852
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/891375
(although this last one does not have the thumb wheel)

 

[Mal H]

IMO, the first two you list are just fine for reloading purposes. (And don't be too surprised if they both have 'Made in China' on them also.)

 

[Zero]

Those are same as dillon

I have a set of calipers from Dillon, and they look exactly like those. They arep probably all made by the same factory, then sold to diff companies.

 

[Dave P]

Harbor Freight has a sale on digital calipers for $20 - jump on it!

 

[yzguy]

I just got back from Harbor Freight (there is one close) and picked one up.... it is good enough, thanks. (BTW it also says made in China )

 

[Doc]

how about these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?f=bylogo&logourl=centech.gif&brand=Cen-Tech

 

[Kruzr]

I thought a long time about digital vs. a dial caliper. I went dial because I'm always worried that the electronics will go bad and I won't know if the reading is any good. Maybe they should come with a calibration bar that is 1.000" ....

 

[E357]

The little wheel on my dillion just broke off last week after many years - it still works fine. Not worth bothering to send back. It also says made in China. Pick up a $20 Mic while your at it. Just make sure it comes with a wrench that you can use to zero it in.

Elliot

 

[BigG]

Note: You have to zero the caliper to get a correct reading. Usually, you close it and turn the bezel to -0-.

 

[Master Blaster]

Clean the jaws, you may have some crud there that you cant see that is making the reading higher than it should be.

 

[Desert Dog]

...and on occasion you need to clean and lube the "action" as crud gets in the gears and cause inaccuracy.

I am spoiled though, I use the Starrett dial calipers out of my machinist's toolbox...

Mike

 

[yzguy]

those are the ones...

I origonaly got the 4" ones from them (did not realize the 6 inch ones were the ones on sale, the store did not have them on sale, but mentioning the internet add had them match it) I'll be exchanging them for the 6" ones tonight. I kinda like the smaller ones (take up less space) but I really like the thumb wheel for fine adjustments (6" has it 4" does not).

and to make sure the electronics are good, you should be able to zero it, take a reading, and go back to zero. It would be VERY unlikely that if something was wrong (bad/dirty sensor) that it would go back to zero.

 

[Pointman]

Love the digitals from Harbor Freight.... I don't expect much from anyone for $20 these days, but I was very pleasantly surprised by these.

 

[winwun]

Got the 6" one from Midway, and love it. Bought a 4" to "save space" and found them to not be as smooth, more jerky.

The mechanism, rack and pinion, denies the opportunity for the caliper to be "off", providing it is zeroed.

The stuff coming from China is getting a bad rap.

If you get junk, blame the buyer who specs out what he wants to the shop in China.

If he specs junk, the shop will build junk.

I am of two minds about buying the stuff, such as the calipers. I want and need a quality tool, but can't afford the price for a Johansen, Starrett, or Browne and Sharpe.

I realize that I am putting American Labor on the street when I buy "Chinese", but is it my responsibility to keep a guy in a $25.00 or $30.00 an hour job making a $500.00 tool when I can buy the same thing for $20.00 ?

Desert Dog, Touch You and your Starrett ! ! If I had one I would brag too ! ! !

 

[yzguy]

So far the $20 6" digital from Harbor Freight has been great!! Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Steve Smith]

Personally I'm a fan of having a machinist make a block for you with three specific measurements, measured by his high-dollar calipers/mic. Then you can use the block to check your low-dollar tools before you buy.

 

[Mike Irwin]

DAMN!

Harbor Freight has free shipping on orders over $50!