Digital Caliper for $15.99

[TheMan]

A digital caliper is nice, and not expensive.... I bought mine @ HarborFreight $15.99!!!!!! Accurate to 0.001'', resolution: 0.0005'', what more do you want? (Dillon's is $80!? No thank you!!)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47257

That is identical to the Mitutoyo digital calipers I have used at work, and own at home. Either they are making a good copy, or it is the same thing. The only difference is the Electronic Digital Caliper marking at the end of it. But the rest of it looks identical.

Personally I am always wary of chinese copies of electronics. They can make molds that make something look good, but then they stuff them with the most poorly designed electronics imaginable.

If it actually is a Mitutoyo though, you got a smoking deal. The Mitutoyo digital calipers are very good.

[scrat]

i used to do a lot of machine work. i have about 5 sets of calipers. what i find is if you open and close the caliper a few times rather quickly it should always point exactly back to 0. when they get worn out or out of calibration it will be up or down from 0 a few lines. if you take some break cleaner and spray it on the channel then use some gun oil. it usually gets the dirt out of the channels. then open and close it a few times again. it should be at 0. if you still have the problem chuck it. As the gears are worn out and it will not read true 0 any more. problem is you may think ok i did that 5 times the second and 4th time i did it the caliper was way off. Well then how do you know that 2 inches is exactly 2 inches. the only other way is to have a measuring block. this is a block that comes in exact sizes. a 1 inch 2 inches, 2 1/2 , 2 1/4. you measure the blocks your caliper should read the exact size of the block if it doesnt then its junk. Now i sometimes keep the junk ones too. As i use them on stuff that does not have to be exact just kinda ballpark. Now if i need a perfect measurement then i use my expensive ones. believe it or not you really dont have to be perfect when measuring a round. however a engine main bearing that is off by .008 can make a huge difference in weather or not the engine will knock or not. So it just depends on what your measuring.

[Sydwaiz]

Somehow, I don't think I'll trust the side of my face (i.e, an issue with reloading) to a $15 Red Chinese caliper. I'll spend the $75 for a Starett or Mitutoyo and only have to buy it once.

I'd stick with the Starrett if you are that worried. I've had a couple Mitutoyos that were way off too and they were never dropped and hardly used. Only my Starretts or Brown and Sharps dials have lasted.

[Wulf]

I dont really have trouble using the dial type, but maybe the digitals are better. As far as accuracy goes. I find there's generally more variation in where you measure an how you measure than there is in the caliper. Seems like there's more than enough precision even in the dial types.

[-hanko]

Well then how do you know that 2 inches is exactly 2 inches. the only other way is to have a measuring block. this is a block that comes in exact sizes. a 1 inch 2 inches, 2 1/2 , 2 1/4. you measure the blocks your caliper should read the exact size of the block if it doesnt then its junk.

+1...1 and 2 inch gage blocks are the basis of your measuring system; calipers can definitely vary and they can vary differently along their total length.

Try to use a tool that will measure accurately to 1/10 of the total tolerance involved. If you want an accurate measurement of, say, crimp diameter, use a micrometer. And check it with your gage block

Not much I could think of in reloading that might cause you to need a new face, perhaps double-charging the cartridge.

-hanko

[mltrading]

Somehow, I don't think I'll trust the side of my face (i.e, an issue with reloading) to a $15 Red Chinese caliper. I'll spend the $75 for a Starett or Mitutoyo and only have to buy it once.

Yeah, man. Mitutoyo (made in Japan) is the way to go. It probably lasts forever. All my picky machinist friends are using Mitutoyo.