Looking for a nice pair of calipers

[splitfinger09]

Any suggestions? I want a nice pair made in USA. Dont know very much about them but seems like a good tool to have for measuring random stuff. Im thinking a digital display would be nice too. Thanks for the help.

 

[Murphy4570]

Starrett is the Snap-On of measurement tools.

 

[Davefr]

Any suggestions? I want a nice pair made in USA. Dont know very much about them but seems like a good tool to have for measuring random stuff. Im thinking a digital display would be nice too. Thanks for the help.

The most accurate/reliable calipers are vernier master calipers. You can buy Starrett #123 (USA made) master calipers for pennies on the dollar on Ebay because everyone wants digital since they're faster to read. (but not more accurate). Mitotoyo also has a nice line of vernier master calipers.

If you want to go digital then I'd skip Starrett and go with Mitutoyo Digimatics. (from Japan). (In fact I'd rather have a HF digital caliper then the crappy digital calipers from Starrett.)

 

[cmandp]

If I'm not mistaken Starrett's cheaper calipers (as in <$150) are Chinese made. I got a set of Mitutoyo Digimatic's for Christmas so far they are really nice. At work I use Tesa Shop-Calc's, also really nice.

 

[synergy321]

Love my digital 'toyos for precise measurements but also a fan of the digital pair from harbor freight. Perfect for quick/rough measurements.

 

[cbracer]

Most Mitutoyo digital calipers are $100+. It's too bad there isn't something of quality in the $20-$60 range. If anyone knows of something let us know,

 

[Murphy4570]

If I'm not mistaken Starrett's cheaper calipers (as in <$150) are Chinese made. I got a set of Mitutoyo Digimatic's for Chrismas so far they are really nice. At work I use Tesa Shop-Calc's, also really nice.

What! When did that happen? I have an older Dial caliper of theirs, very high quality.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Don't just go rushing off to Starrett...they make nice stuff, but Brown and Sharpe are the Plomb of measurement tools!

I would think about two calipers...one a relatively small and cheap simple slider, pocket size, to quickly measure common objects, the other a bigger vernier for when you wish to sor gnat's toenails by size.

 

[scott37300]

Most Mitutoyo digital calipers are $100+. It's too bad there isn't something of quality in the $20-$60 range. If anyone knows of something let us know,

A caliper is a precision measuring tool, a 100 bucks is a decent price for a quality caliper. Even the harbor freight ones are 20 bucks and up. You might find a decent one for 20-60 but if I'm buying a caliper I am buying it for precise and accurate measurements, which come with a price tag.

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, digital is much, much easier to use and good ones are both inch and mm.

No, Starrett's digital is not their best product. I have an inch dial which I use all the time.

Maybe, shop around. I bought a whole box of tools at a moving sale and in it was a Mitituyo digital which I really like.

jack vines

 

[GMZ]

Long Island Indicator has about the best info/selection I have found. They also repair older calipers. I was going to get a set of Etalon dial calipers but my dad gave me his Mitutoyo set that he bought before I was born. I really want a set of Brown & Sharpe verniers though.

 

[garfunkle24]

IMHO if you don't know much about calipers and it just "seems like a good tool to have for measuring random stuff", about any digital set in the world will do what you need. if you needed something better, you'd know.

Heck for general shop use I'd rather have 10 $20 calipers laid everywhere than one $200 pair tucked away in a velvet lined box.

I think a lot of people over-estimate their need for accuracy in a caliper too. For a lot of jobs where such a high end caliper would be required a mic can often be used instead and/or preferably.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It may come as a shock and surprise to many, but the $20 Chinese calipers are just as accurate as the $100+ brand name ones. They may not work quite a smooth or look as nice, but they do the job. I have a Brown & Sharpe dial caliper I bought at work some 20 years ago. Later they made us take our calibrated tools home to save the company money (company checked them every six months and kept them logged in the company system). Now I'm not sure how my walking to the tool room, checking out a caliper and returning it a couple of times a week, saves the company money over my having one right at hand in my tool box and them checking it twice a year, but I ain't the boss.

Anyhow, I have the B&S at home, but hate to use it, too nice and too much trouble to dig out of the case every time. Need to buy a cheep China one to use for the easy stuff.

Charles

 

[mrbreezeet1]

what about the Brown & Sharpe dial caliper's made today, are they any good?
I brought a General 6" one from ENCO, but just don't like the feel of it.

 

[0.511MeV]

I view calipers as ultimately disposable. They are subject to a lot of rough conditions since they are used so frequently around machines with chips and coolant.

My advice is to buy the best micrometers and test indicators you can afford and buy calipers you won't get upset about damaging or throwing away after a year.

 

[GMZ]

Ive been through enough crappy calipers between reloading, "amateur" machining, a bit of gunsmithing, and various BS at work that I feel the same about them as I do tools. Buy the best you can afford.

A nice set of verniers and mics are next on the list.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Don't just go rushing off to Starrett...they make nice stuff, but Brown and Sharpe are the Plomb of measurement tools!

I would think about two calipers...one a relatively small and cheap simple slider, pocket size, to quickly measure common objects, the other a bigger vernier for when you wish to sor gnat's toenails by size.

x2 on all counts....as much as I like Starrett stuff, my old B&S calipers have been with me since I was 17...I usauly can't find them when I need them 'cause my boss borrows them all the time for whatever "project" he's into......

 

[diggerrick]

It may come as a shock and surprise to many, but the $20 Chinese calipers are just as accurate as the $100+ brand name ones. They may not work quite a smooth or look as nice, but they do the job. I have a Brown & Sharpe dial caliper I bought at work some 20 years ago. Later they made us take our calibrated tools home to save the company money (company checked them every six months and kept them logged in the company system). Now I'm not sure how my walking to the tool room, checking out a caliper and returning it a couple of times a week, saves the company money over my having one right at hand in my tool box and them checking it twice a year, but I ain't the boss.

Anyhow, I have the B&S at home, but hate to use it, too nice and too much trouble to dig out of the case every time. Need to buy a cheep China one to use for the easy stuff.

Charles

Absolutely true. One of my college graduation gifts was a set of Starrett digital calipers. Mine do not have an on/off button - just auto shutoff, and I never liked that. I have also purchased $10 HF digital & dial calipers for use at work, and they are also right on with Dad's B&S gage blocks. Unlike most, I prefer the dial calipers so I'm not at the mercy of a dead battery - and yes, I do carry a spare in the case. I also think dial calipers are easier to hit a preset reading for go/no go checks.

BTW - same holds true for indicators.

 

[Capri driver]

I have worked in manufacturing quality as a Quality Engineer for 25 years and I wouldn't buy anything but Mitutoyo. They have excellent accuracy, durability and ease of use.

I have used all the others like Starrett, Brown & Sharpe and several others, but pefer Mitutoyo by far.

Digital electronic have a couple features that make them superior over dial. 1) you can convert from inch to metric units on the fly, 2) Ability to zero them anywhere to make comparitive measurements.