Fowler depth Micrometers?

[kartracer55]

Im looking for a depth Micrometer, I only need one that will read up to one inch, it will be for setting pop-off and fulcrum arm height, so a smaller one would be nice. I noticed MSC has a fowler on sale for about 60$ less than the Starrett one they are sell ing for 140. Where are they made, and any thoughts on quality?

Thanks

Jim

[chevy302dz]

Some of the Fowler stuff if not most is made in China or Tawain. If it's that much cheaper than Starret then it's probably a import

[REFLEXX]

IF you're going to buy a depth mic, buy the Starret "blade mics" they have a thin blade instead of a round and it doesn't rotate.

It's great for very thin slots, where a regular depth mic doesn't reach.

OR if you do buy a regular, but the digital/electronic ones. Much easier to read. and calculate with.

USA or Euro made is 3-4x more than the Chinese ones. I'll let you decide. They will all read +/-.0005" or +/-.001"

[Fast Orange]

Jim-
I'm not quite sure what it is that you're working on,but would a dial or digital caliper work? For about what you'll spend on a single purpose tool,you can get a quality caliper that is fairly accurate for inside,outside and depth measurements.

George

[kartracer55]

George, I have a starrett 0-6 dial caliper, but I would need a small plate with a perfectly drilled hole in it. Im measuring in the hundreths and even thousandths of an inch. Im not sure how else I would go about it.

Check out the diagram on here to see what I mean, its kind of hard to explain. Do you see how else I could make the dial caliper work? I dont have Micrometers with a throat deep enough (thats the other thing I was thinking)

http://www.muller.net/mullermachine/docs/armheight.html

Thanks guys

Jim

[bmwpower]

I'm having trouble visualizing this thing...

In any case, my digital caliper has a depth gauge at the end (opposite of the readout). As you open the jaws, an internal metal gauge slides out (like a slide ruler) allowing you to measure depth. Would this work?

[kartracer55]

This is a depth gauge...
http://catalog.starrett.com/catalog/catalog/PLH2.asp?NodeNum=20252&Mode=PLIST

My caliper (I think all calipers) has that, but I dont have anywhere else to rest the caliper, so to speak. IF I can get a fairly accurate straightedge to lay across (only needs to be 2-3inches wide) than I can use my caliper, but I was thinking it would be easier to use a depth gauge, and Id have one anyway.

I dont know. I have until march to decide, and My dad would be buying it this time.

Jim

[chevy302dz]

I would just buy a good depth mic it's much more accurate. The guage on a caliper is good for quick measurements but that's about it.

[REFLEXX]

I forgot to mention that some depth mics go to .0001" (a tenth) of an inch too!

For those that don't usually need that type of tolerance, just imagine that a human hair is .003" that's 30 times bigger than a "tenth"

[Fast Orange]

Jim-
Looking at the diagram and reading the procedure,I think a depth mic would be the best and most consistant way to go.It looks like this procedure is not necessarily a set measurement but a way to tune the fuel delivery at varying load and throttle openings,so absolute accuracy would not be as important as consistancy of measurement and repeatability.For this reason,I think you may be able to get by with a cheaper mic than that Starrett-as long as the accuracy doesn't change between uses,you'll be able to duplicate your ideal set up every time.One thing I think you may need to check about the procedure-they're talking about accuracy to .001",but the gasket crush will vary ,depending on new/used gasket,how many times gasket has been used and clamping pressure-I think you need to take the gasket variability out of the equation after you find the ideal setting.
I know you like to buy American,but don't be afraid of Mitutoyo-well made accurate stuff at better prices than Starrett and Brown and Sharpe.

George

[kartracer55]

Any thoughts on the newer stff by Central? I have an older set of bore gauges and a micrometer by them. Seems like good stuff, but I havent used anything made recently.

Im also going to keep an eye out on ebay.

Jim

[stimpy]

reflex thats 10 thousandths of an inch ... Jim, I can vouch for some of fowler equipment, its not crap , I checked mine with standards before everytime I used them and afterwords and they hold true. I would by starrets if you where building something really super precise and you used them all the time to make them worthwhile to own , but if you don't have all the money to outlay then the fowlers should do you good , as for using a caliper .NO ! it would be like performing heart surgery with a chainsaw . they are used mostly for roughing .if your set on sterrats search for some machineshop auctions online you can find some real deals . and don't forget your standards they are a must have !!!

[Big_John]

Some Fowler stuff is OK and some is junk. Fowler does not manufacture a single thing, all they sell is imported and branded with their name. Anything thay they import from Switzerland is usually good, but the stuff from places like Poland and China leave something to be desired. FWIW, Brown & Sharpe no longer manufactures hand tools anymore either.

For what you're doing, a Fowler or any other cheaper brand would do fine, but I would suggest you do a little shopping on Ebay and buy a used Starrett, Lufkin, Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo or the like. You'll be happier with the quality.

[stimpy]

central is relabeled outside manufactor . I have a dial indicator that 20 YO and still good .

[kartracer55]

Well I was looking on ebay and I put about 10 starret depth micrometers on watch. New ones are going full price, but there are sets on there that look like they have been well maintained.

I need one that wont be complete junk, .001 will be fine, as Fastorange said, tthe gasket crush will have a big affect, so any more accuracy will be negated.

Thanks

Jim

[oldgoat]

You used to be able to get a depth mike base to use on calipers and if you get a digital I would think that you would probably be OK. I have Central tool mics and they have been good. Fowler I never trusted, but again I use mine to make a living with also and they have to last. Might also try checking a pawn shop especially if you live in a town with a lot of manf. Many times guys will hock their tools for money when laid off or getting out of the business. Mine I will keep until the kids decide to get rid of them. If you only need it to be within a thousanth then Fowler will be OK. Heck I think you can get some off brands even from Harbor Freight that will be that accurate.

[W-Cummins]

George, I have a starrett 0-6 dial caliper, but I would need a small plate with a perfectly drilled hole in it. Im measuring in the hundreths and even thousandths of an inch. Im not sure how else I would go about it.

Check out the diagram on here to see what I mean, its kind of hard to explain. Do you see how else I could make the dial caliper work? I dont have Micrometers with a throat deep enough (thats the other thing I was thinking)

Jim

Well the fowler stuff is middle of the road stuff a lot of it used to come from eastern Europe I'm not sure where most of it comes from today but it's not cheep junk.

Next, you can get a "Foot" type base for your calipers that will allow you to do what you want. It attaches to the end of the calipers and makes them work just like the depth mic. For the setting of the float level as per you diagram (the spec was .04 to .06) you don't need a depth mic for that.

[REFLEXX]

Slightly OT.

Stimpy, I know you know this:

.0001" is called a "tenth" as in "ten thousandths." Not tenth as in 1/10th.

.001" is called a "thou" as is thousandths of an inch. As in hold that "dim" within a "couple thou".

I my world, when an engineer says to "hold a tenth" we tell him to take a hike. I've made parts to within a "tenth" but then you hold them in your hand a they "grow" out of tolerance.

It's all good as long as none of our parts are marked "NFG" :thumbup:

[Uncle Buck]

A dial caliper with a depth attachment base would do everything you need and more. As was already pointed out, the dial caliper is much more versatile, additionally you will get all of the accuracy you need to do the job described. I agree with Big John as to used and brand selection, however, I would be more inclined to visit the local hock shop for precision stuff, that way you can feel the instuments for bind up, drag, etc.. The depth base is available from several sources, and does not cost much. Nothing wrong with a depth mic, it's just that a dial/digital caliper will help in so many other areas!

[bamatj]

well im not sure who makes it or where but i like fowler tools. i have a fowler x-test indicator thats kinda like a spinoff of interapid. i also have an old school fowler digital caliper. no complaints from me. ive also used some fowler mics and some newer calipers. at work they all seem to work well and hold their calibration. in fact i like the fowler stuff i have used better than most of the brown & sharpe. i know people will argue with that but i just dont like the tesa digital brown & sharpe mics and calipers. you might also want to check out spi. i dont know much about them but their calipers seem alright for the price. for what you are doing any of the name brands should be fine. but for me i like mitutoyo. 90% of mearsuring tools is mitutoyo. i just dont think you can go wrong with them.

[kartracer55]

Thanks for the Input. I see MSC has a starrett onsale for 139 this month (reg. 180), so I will probably go with that one. Ratchet thimble for consistency. The Cheapest fowler was 90, they had an SPI (swiss precision instruments, but made in japan? lol) for 99. The Mitutoyos were going for about what the starretts are, so I figure its a top notch tool for a decent price. B&S are going for 150. I just need a 0-3 inch, I only need 0-1, but Im getting the extra rods anyway.

Thanks guys!

Jim

[MXtras]

Any of these brands are good quality. Japanese gage quality is extremely good. Mitutoyo indicators are hard to beat - even more robust than Tessa or B&S.

If there is a friction thimble insted of a ratchet, I would suggest that. The ratchet thimbles are not as consitent as the friction thimbles in my experience. I have a Tumico depth mic from the 50's with a ratchet as well as numerous Starrett mics with ratchet thimbles but my favorite mics are the Mitutoyos with friction thimbles. To me, they offer a better feel.

Scott

[W-Cummins]

Thanks for the Input. I see MSC has a starrett onsale for 139 this month (reg. 180), so I will probably go with that one. Ratchet thimble for consistency. The Cheapest fowler was 90, they had an SPI (swiss precision instruments, but made in japan? lol) for 99. The Mitutoyos were going for about what the starretts are, so I figure its a top notch tool for a decent price. B&S are going for 150. I just need a 0-3 inch, I only need 0-1, but Im getting the extra rods anyway.

Thanks guys!

Jim

First you should check www.use-enco.com (http://www.use-enco.com) as they have better sale prices then MSC BTW MSC owns Enco :-)

Look in the sale flyers on the enco site or even their large catalog The stuff there is cheeper than the big blue book

here are the current flyer prices
Starrett 0-3" 135.95
B&S 0-3" 118.95
Mitutoyo 0-4" 94.95

All are WAY over kill to set the float level and I guess I would buy the cheepest one As it's of good quality if I was hell bent on spending some $$ :-)

[W-Cummins]

Oh I suppose I should give you the free shipping code (on orders over $50.00) too it's good untill the 28th

WEBNRFB6

Later

William...

[BOSS351C]

I've lucked out at garage sales and antique shops of all places. I got a Starrett 0-12.5" inside micrometer set for $22 at an antique shop and a Starrett 0-12" digital (not electronic) depth micrometer set for $20 at a garage sale. Anytime I see something with the Starrett name cheap I pick it up.

[Uncle Buck]

BOSS351C: I have had the same kind of luck with both of those. Last year at a garage sale I bought a near new Victor Journeyman torch setup, it included everything clear down to the instructions for use, no bottles, total cost $20.00! At a big antique shop a few years back I bought a 5/8 capacity Albrect chuck mounted to a morse taper for my lathe for the same money! Garge sales and antique shops..... :drool:

[BOSS351C]

My wife and I are self-diagnosed Junk adicts! We love going around to look at junk (garage sales, flea markets, etc) and search for Treasures. Last spring she got me a Large industrial Meco torch set with an 80 oxy and 44 acy. bottles, cart, regs, hoses, all for $50! I was very happy! Between Dow Chemical, Delphi, and GM, there are lots of former industrial tool finds to be had.