Where is everyone buying their precision calipers?

stello1001 · Jan 21, 2025

Hey all,

As title states, where are you buying calipers? I can go to Amazon and buy something & get it delivered the next day. However, with precision instruments, I would think buying straight from the manufacturer is best in order to avoid fakes.

I went to mitutoyo website and it seems like you can't buy straight from them. Is there a place you guys recommend I buy some of these?

ggmanning · Jan 21, 2025

Measuring Tools | Mitutoyo Dial Indicators and Calipers

The best measuring tools for precision reloading. We feature Mitutoyo dial indicators and calipers. Best measuring tools for your precision reloading needs.

kmshooting.com

XLR308 · Jan 21, 2025

I have generally always bought calipers and micrometers from Grainger or MSC.

Chris1972 · Jan 21, 2025

I just bought a quality 12” set from Grainger. $10-12 more and they offer them standardized or whatever word they use to guarantee their accuracy.

lash · Jan 21, 2025

We always bought ours from Grainger or MSC also. You can buy from them as a retail customer. You just have to set up an account.

straightshooter1 · Jan 21, 2025

stello1001 said:
Hey all,

As title states, where are you buying calipers? I can go to Amazon and buy something & get it delivered the next day. However, with precision instruments, I would think buying straight from the manufacturer is best in order to avoid fakes.

I went to mitutoyo website and it seems like you can't buy straight from them. Is there a place you guys recommend I buy some of these?

Just an FYI: calipers are simply NOT "precision" instruments. But they fit the bill for what we reloader do.

You can get Mitutoyo calipers on Amazon, as I did. Just be careful that you don't get a counterfeit one. Here's a video that can help identify a authentic Mitutoyo vs a counterfeit:

lash · Jan 21, 2025

straightshooter1 said:
Just an FYI: calipers are simply NOT "precision" instruments. But they fit the bill for what we reloader do.

You can get Mitutoyo calipers on Amazon, as I did. Just be careful that you don't get a counterfeit one. Here's a video that can help identify a authentic Mitutoyo vs a counterfeit:

Really? Precision isn’t a number or decimal equivalent. It’s an accurate measurement with a defined degree of accuracy. Sure, micrometers and other digital equipment can measure to a “more precise” degree, but it literally doesn’t matter. As you said, they fit the bill for what we do and further degrees of accuracy would matter not one iota.

stello1001 · Jan 21, 2025

I mean I was using the term loosely. If we all spoke very exact and very technical we probably wouldn't like talking to each other lol.

And the Amazon thing, i can't "just be careful" and pick out a good one as I am not buying it in person to inspect lol. I suppose I could always return if I get a fake and then start the process all over again about looking for another one online and placing another order and going through another wait for it to arrive.

spife7980 · Jan 21, 2025

I got mine from Msi Viking when they had a sale

Doom · Jan 22, 2025

To be honest the need for higher end calipers doesn't buy you a lot . Most calipers are good to 0.0005" precision. Even Harbor Freight calipers will suffice. The level of precision is more related to the user than to the instrument. Like most instruments it's used more as a comparator than a true measuring device.

AllenOne1 · Jan 22, 2025

Global Test Supply

https://www.globaltestsupply.com/category/mitutoyo-calipers

roostercogburn98 · Jan 22, 2025

Bought a nice vintage Mitutoyo at a gun show a while back. Paid 20 bucks for them, they looked brand new in original case

Don’t rule out finding a used set local if you want to look

Holliday · Jan 22, 2025

Too many very convincing counterfeits. I buy them from MSC to be sure.

tinker · Jan 22, 2025

lash said:
Really? Precision isn’t a number or decimal equivalent. It’s an accurate measurement with a defined degree of accuracy. Sure, micrometers and other digital equipment can measure to a “more precise” degree, but it literally doesn’t matter. As you said, they fit the bill for what we do and further degrees of accuracy would matter not one iota.

View attachment 8598108

Calipers are not as accurate as a micrometer. For people just reloading they consider them accurate. For those of us that cut metal we do not consider them accurate (but some of us use them just as much if not more than micrometers.

Edsel · Jan 22, 2025

stello1001 said:
I mean I was using the term loosely. If we all spoke very exact and very technical we probably wouldn't like talking to each other lol.

Don’t worry about it!

We’re a community that’s obsessed with “muscle breaks,” “aerospace” or “aircraft grade” aluminum or titanium, “precision,” “polymer,” and “tactical!”

Mitutoyos?

Amazon.com.

Just make sure the vendor’s Amazon.com itself, not a third - party seller using Amazon.com.

Yesss!

Nooo!

Holliday · Jan 22, 2025

I have received counterfeit, used, damaged, and refurbished (sold as new) sold directly from Amazon(Not a 3rd party).

If you think buying directly from Amazon (Not a 3rd party), affords you any safety factor, I hear Hawk Tuah girl is selling more coins.

stello1001 · Jan 22, 2025

tinker said:
Calipers are not as accurate as a micrometer. For people just reloading they consider them accurate. For those of us that cut metal we do not consider them accurate (but some of us use them just as much if not more than micrometers.

I think we all know this, nobody is arguing that calipers are more accurate than a micrometer.

Let me guess, you also use the micrometer to measure cbto, primer pocket depth, primer seating depth, COAL.

frankxtc · Jan 22, 2025

I buy Mitutoyo from zoro.com.
They send me 10 and 20% off codes if I wait long enough.

shootnrelease · Jan 22, 2025

straightshooter1 said:
Just an FYI: calipers are simply NOT "precision" instruments. But they fit the bill for what we reloader do.

You can get Mitutoyo calipers on Amazon, as I did. Just be careful that you don't get a counterfeit one. Here's a video that can help identify a authentic Mitutoyo vs a counterfeit:

I got burned buying these off Amazon.
Thought it was a great deal($79.99). Purchased and put aside for a month. Too late for a return.

chd · Jan 22, 2025

http://idealprec.com/

Sheldon N · Jan 22, 2025

I just bought a set of Mitutoyo from MSI Viking.

pronelife · Jan 23, 2025

I just picked up a Shars caliper from their eBay site (cheaper than from Shars site); so far it's performed just like my Mitutoyo but at 1/4 of the price.

R_A_W · Jan 23, 2025

Doom said:
To be honest the need for higher end calipers doesn't buy you a lot

Even my cheapest calipers are repeatable, but there’s more than that. Cheaper calipers are more likely to lose zero, a lot of them eat batteries, and many don’t track absolute zero (even some that claim to). These iGaging calipers are supposed to be absolute zero calipers, but I can absolutely tell you they’re absolutely not.

That said, my iGaging OriginCals perform pretty much the same as my Mitutoyos

TwistedOneinSeven · Jan 24, 2025

If you can find them in stock somewhere, a quality set of calipers at a very good price;
https://feedbacksports.com/products...1&_sid=7d1d774bc&_ss=r&variant=44803542778154

supercorndogs · Jan 24, 2025

I use some cheap digital calipers. I always felt the same way about expensive calipers as I do about expensive impact sockets.

mtrmn · Jan 24, 2025

frankxtc said:
I buy Mitutoyo from zoro.com.
They send me 10 and 20% off codes if I wait long enough.

I get 20% off offers from Zoro at least once a week in my email.

cas6969 · Jan 25, 2025

Mitutoyo

Mitutoyo Corporation, the world’s largest global provider of measurement and inspection solutions offering the most complete selection of measuring tools, machines, sensors, systems and services. With over 8500+ products, Mitutoyo is dedicated to deliver trusted measurement to our customers for...

www.amazon.com

That's where I just bought mine a couple weeks ago, seems to past the smell test.

I kill the digital ones pretty quick. Not me, but my reloading room. The moisture does it. They stop working right, I take them elsewhere for a week or so then they're okay. At least for a while anyway.. I went through more than a couple from many sources because of this, thinking it was just that they were "cheap" ones. After several "dry out" cycles, my Pittsburg one's aren't playing along anymore. So I finally decided to buy a better set, and store them in an air tight container with desiccant. Preferably remembering to store them elsewhere. (it sucks. I have an FX-120i I can't leave down there, so I end up not using it more often than I do. 50-60 sets of rusting dies, rusting presses...

loveha · Jan 25, 2025

cas6969 said:
Mitutoyo

Mitutoyo Corporation, the world’s largest global provider of measurement and inspection solutions offering the most complete selection of measuring tools, machines, sensors, systems and services. With over 8500+ products, Mitutoyo is dedicated to deliver trusted measurement to our customers for...

www.amazon.com

That's where I just bought mine a couple weeks ago, seems to past the smell test.

I kill the digital ones pretty quick. Not me, but my reloading room. The moisture does it. They stop working right, I take them elsewhere for a week or so then they're okay. At least for a while anyway.. I went through more than a couple from many sources because of this, thinking it was just that they were "cheap" ones. After several "dry out" cycles, my Pittsburg one's aren't playing along anymore. So I finally decided to buy a better set, and store them in an air tight container with desiccant. Preferably remembering to store them elsewhere. (it sucks. I have an FX-120i I can't leave down there, so I end up not using it more often than I do. 50-60 sets of rusting dies, rusting presses...

My reloading room would have a dehumidifier bigger than what is required for the room size. Then look into camphor blocks for preventing rust on my gear. (My grandfather was a tool and die maker, put them in his tool boxes and Gerstner chest.) Stuff actually works from what I have read online. Dies would need to be stored in a box for the camphor to work. Although if the presses have covers, could maybe store blocks in with the cover on.

I actually went through my grandfathers old Gerstner a few days ago and found a 6" Starrett dial caliper in it. Cleaned up quite nice and just as accurate as my digital Mitutoyo. If I was having issues with digital calipers, I would be going to dial. I can read them almost as fast.

lash · Jan 25, 2025

loveha said:
My reloading room would have a dehumidifier bigger than what is required for the room size. Then look into camphor blocks for preventing rust on my gear. (My grandfather was a tool and die maker, put them in his tool boxes and Gerstner chest.) Stuff actually works from what I have read online. Dies would need to be stored in a box for the camphor to work. Although if the presses have covers, could maybe store blocks in with the cover on.

I actually went through my grandfathers old Gerstner a few days ago and found a 6" Starrett dial caliper in it. Cleaned up quite nice and just as accurate as my digital Mitutoyo. If I was having issues with digital calipers, I would be going to dial. I can read them almost as fast.

I have one of each; dial and digital calipers. I use them both with equal confidence.

458win · Sunday at 9:56 AM

Zoro seems to have become my go to place. If you want something put it in your cart and leave it there. After a day or two they will send a discount code.

Precision tools are a lot like optics. You never regret buying top quality, cheap tooling however is very expensive.

Holliday · Sunday at 10:11 AM

458win said:
Precision tools are a lot like optics. You never regret buying top quality, cheap tooling however is very expensive.

Exactly, I have never been bashful about buying a quality tool or a book…..

sirhrmechanic · Monday at 3:57 PM

MSC Direct usually has some great deals on calipers.

Great company. Not shooting related. So no 'shooting prices.'

Overnight shipping on almost everything.

Sirhr

memilanuk · Monday at 3:59 PM

sirhrmechanic said:
MSC Direct usually has some great deals on calipers.

Great company. Not shooting related. So no 'shooting prices.'

Overnight shipping on almost everything.

After getting burned on a counterfeit set of Mitutoyo Digimatic calipers on Amazon, I ordered the next set from MSC. Much happier!

mtrmn · Monday at 4:23 PM

While I have and use "precision" micrometers and calipers, these old PLASTIC RCBS calipers have been used on my reloading bench for almost 40 years. I use the better ones for measuring case head expansion etc but these are the first ones I grab most of the time

trlrman · Monday at 9:01 PM

Have the same set in my desk !

Staccato · Monday at 10:49 PM

Inexpensive! There's lot of brands out there. Mine shipped with a good plastic case, form fitting or molded foam and a spare battery. That was around 20 years ago. The calipers, case, and foam are still working.

Doom · Tuesday at 11:11 AM

Nothing wrong with buying quality. I worked as a quality control manager for a boiler and pressure vessel manufacturer/repair and obviously measurement and calibration tools were an integral part of our process. In general our tools were Starrett. Great quality and we calibrated and test them regularly. But we also encountered lesser quality tools and uncalibrated tools that plants might be using. We found that the cheaper digital calibers did not hold up and suffered from LCD issues and battery terminal breakage. The cheaper dial indicator calipers didn't seem to have that issue seemed to stay within their rated accuracy.

As a test I bought a Harbor Freight Digital caliper and a Dial Indicator Caliper about 8 years ago just to see what would happen and how they held up. Both were rough to adjust but a little Flitz to polish the slide solved that issue. Within a year the battery terminal on the digital failed (broke). The dial is still rolling along and has maintained its accuracy over that period.

I'm not suggesting that Harbor Freight should be your go to source for calipers but the point is that calipers by their nature tend to be accurate and reliable. I personally think that if I were going to go the digital route I would definitely go with the higher end models.

Holliday · Tuesday at 11:28 AM

I printed a couple of these for my Mitutoyos. So much better than carrying factory case around the shop and office.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2079830

trlrman · Tuesday at 12:06 PM

Still has the case lenght chart on the back . They were Swiss made .

Having trouble using the site?

Where is everyone buying their precision calipers?

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