Gunsmithing Which Dial Calipers?

[AR-10 Shooter]

Thinking of using eBay to get a new dial caliper. I'm a Starrett fan but heard that Starrett is now Chineese and people prefer Mitutoyo over Starrett.

If so, which Mitu model?

Thanks much,

CT

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I have Starrett, Mitutoyo and Brown and Sharpe. My digital ones are Federal and Brown & Sharpe. I like Starrett and Mitutoyo almost equally. The main thing now that I'm not working any longer is the price.

The main thing I would look at is to be sure it has a .100" per revolution face. It may not matter to you. But in years to come it makes it easier to read.

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Starrett all the way. They are made in the USA. I have had excellent luck with all their products that I own. They do cost a bit more, but the reward I get from using them is priceless. But, they aren't for everyone. JPG

 

[JimT]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Do you want dial or digital or does it matter? The reason I ask is that a toolmaker remarked that he prefers digital, as they don't have any gears to skip. Apparently he had an adverse experience with that in the past.

Personally, when it isn't critical, I grab the one off dial calipers (had them forever). No batteries, easy to use. Otherwise I reach for the digital Mitutoyos.

Whatever you buy, get good ones. Buy once, cry once. Same thing for other indicators. I bought some cheap import test indicators. Ended up buying some not so cheap Brown and Sharpes.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

my $150 mitutoyo dial calipers measure exactly the same as my $15 harbor freight dial calipers. i still keep the mitutoyos in the shop and the harbor freights around the house for reloading and other miscellaneous things.

edit: take a look at enco's "hot deals" fliers. they always have something on sale.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

When I started my tool maker's apprentice traing we had to take the little "key" that comes with them and learn to skip the gears to get it set back within 2 or 3 marks of correct. With time and patience you can get perfect at it.

I use dials most of the time.

 

[toolmaker]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Starrett or B&S

 

[willsnipe]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I have some of all of the above, and as much as it pains me to say so, the $15 Chinese ones work as well as the $200 ones. They are even almost as smooth!

I'd reccomend staying away from the digitals. Never seen one that was as reliable as a gear driven dial.

 

[6.81star]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I was told by my instructors when I was in school Starret all the way unless they are digital then Mit. or BS b/c Starrets had an issue with repeatability, they could be fixed now. The deal with the chinese is up to you but I know everytime I use my Mitutoyo's I am not worried about the acc. or if I am in the middle of something they wont take a shit on me. Ive been burnt way to many times from china. You can watch ebay a find good name brands for under 100. your choice

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I forgot to mention. No matter where you are working. No matter what you are doing. Keep the case handy and when you pick them up out of the case, don't lay them down until you put them right back in the case. One bounce on a concrete floor and you have a nice expensive paperweight.

 

[brian64x]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Just go to harbor freight and buy a $15 set of dial calipers....If you need to measure more accurately then that, you should be using a micrometer anyway!!!

 

[toolmaker]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I have and old set of vernier calipers and a precision square that were made by Mauser.

 

[jimmyrjessie]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

I have owned all the major brands including a few digital i like the brown and sharp dial the best very very smooth.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">my $150 mitutoyo dial calipers measure exactly the same as my $15 harbor freight dial calipers. i still keep the mitutoyos in the shop and the harbor freights around the house for reloading and other miscellaneous things.

edit: take a look at enco's "hot deals" fliers. they always have something on sale. </div></div>
Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[psinclair]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Still made in the USA as far as I know....I've had this one three years. It works well.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

i think starret has entry level tools now that may be chinese. i'd find it very hard to believe everything with a starrett name on it is chinese.

 

[AR-10 Shooter]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Many thanks! Your advice is always appreciated,

CT

 

[AMAC]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i think starret has entry level tools now that may be chinese. i'd find it very hard to believe everything with a starrett name on it is chinese. </div></div>

The last set of Starret 8 inch calipers I saw in the shop where I work looked like Chinese. I wasn't impressed. I like my Brown & Sharpe calipers.

 

[Palegroe]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Brown & Sharp are the smoothes I own.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

My first set of calipers just went to crap on me last week. It is skipping gears and all over the place. I have had them for many years. They were a cheap set of Frankford Arsenal. I am about to buy a nice caliper. Good thread.

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Which Dial Calipers?

Enco definitely a good place to shop, good gear at a good price.

www.use-enco.com