which micrometer to buy

[Hunt]

slowly puttin it all together, which micrometer should I buy?
I'll be reloading everything from 9mm to magnum rifle




Life member NRA ammo I am sellling

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=248766

[joelogic]

Harbor Freight's $10 one.

[waltrich]

Harbor Freight's $10 one.

+1...

That's what I've got. Works great.

It chews up batteries a little faster than I like, but ever since I put new, energizer batteries in it, I've had no problems...

[kmca]

You could look at Harbor Freight for a cheap set, or Enco has both cheap and good sets. I'd recommend getting a micrometer stand also. A set that goes to 4 inches should be good for up to 470 Nitro Express.

[Dr Pete]

If you plan on doing your hobby for more than a few years buy something good.
Harbor Freight is hit & miss, buy 5 then return the 4 that don't work
KBC tools has a digital mitutoyo 0-1" on sale for $117 right now

[mif_slim]

Harbor Freight's $10 one.

yup. thats the one I been using for years! works just as good as my mechanic shops 200 dollar one.

[HKROB]

Go to your local pawn shop and buy a used Starrett they usually sell for $15-$30 Why not buy the best.

[popeye4]

I had a dial version that I got from Midway about 15 years ago, but the dial has gone south. So I threw in the towel and picked up a digital Starrett. It is a nice instrument.

You can also get deals on ebay from retiring machinists.

[MrBrent]

I use an inexpensive digital one and it works great. A quick google search came up with this?

http://www.digitalcaliperfactoryoutlet.com/hmpg/carrera_precision/cp_calipers_main.htm

[powaybob]

Midway has an electronic digital caliper for under $20. I just got one and it works well.

[freonr22]

I use an inexpensive digital one and it works great. A quick google search came up with this?

http://www.digitalcaliperfactoryoutl...ipers_main.htm

The fractional one is nice! nicer than the frankford arsenal anyways

[TimRB]

You won't need a micrometer. Or do you mean caliper?

Tim

[jmlivingston]

This one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ss_T15_product just arrived today, opened the box right before dinner. Haven't used it yet but has a nice hefty feel to it.

[Fyathyrio]

Looks exactly the same as the one I got from Harbor Freight...even the case and batteries. I've had it for 4 or 5 years no with no complaints. So far I've managed to not drop it, so I don't have any shock test data yet.

[a.tinkerer]

Original Post asked about a micrometer.
I'm guessing that they meant 0-1" micrometer and not 0-6" caliper.

I strongly suggest getting a 'tenths' (one that reads ten-thousandths or 1/10,000" increments) vernier micrometer from Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, or other top maker.
Analog, not digital or dial.
Make sure you get the standard with it too so that you can get a repeatable feel for zero and make sure your tool is in spec.

If you are measuring bullets or chamber castings or bore slugs, it's very very good to know what's what.
Your feel is going to be better than the digital readout of an electronic micrometer.

For a 0-6" caliper - digital is usually fine.
Micrometer is a different story.

I've been doing this and handling tool and die equipment and gauging for 30+ years.
Been there at the Quality Control table too many times to see ANOTHER digital micrometer get tossed in the bin (along with a few thousand scrapped parts...) due to their crap feel and/or inconsistent performance.

The simple tubular vernier 'tenths' micrometer won't let you down.





Cheers
Tinker