dial caliper question

[bob15]

I was looking at buying another pair of dial calipers and was looking at B&S instead of the Starretts I've always used/owned. My "concern" is that the B&S's don't have a thumb-wheel like the Starrett's have.

Has anyone here used both and actually find they miss the thumb-wheel? Or does the B&S slide that smooth?

Also, anyone like the black dial-face? Is it any easier to read? All our gauges at work are silver/white.......

 

[davethorik]

The B&S are smooth. I have an older pair and they have a half circle plastic nub to put your thumb on. I do find myself missing the wheel, though. Guess just used to it.

Of course, the expensive solution is to get Etalon dial calipers. Identical as they are the oem for the B&S, but more expensive, and they have the thumbwheel.

 

[PT Doc]

Mitutoyo are great as well.

 

[oldtools]

Tesa own B&S. Try the Tesa.

 

[zkling]

Have both and yes I miss the thumb wheel, especially when wet/oily. I can use them to get the same measurements though.

 

[mechanical turk]

I have an older Brown & Sharpe dial caliper with a thumbwheel, looks a lot like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRO...717222?hash=item4648a89026:g:j4gAAOSw--1Wti31

Not sure of the model on mine, they have an orange case. Very nice.

If I were to buy new I'd probably get Mitutoyo. I haven't used newer Starretts but I usually find something about the action on their dial calipers is a little uncomfortable. Might just be me.

 

[Packard V8]

My engine machinist still prefers dial calipers for rough bench work, as the cheaper digitals are always eating batteries and dead when he picks them up. I should have bought ten of the Fowlers when Travers had them on sale last month.

I won't let him have Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, et al, as he kills the crystals within a few months. New crystals are ridiculously expensive for what they are.

FWIW, I've got a NOS Brown & Sharpe dial test indicator where the plastic lens curled up like a potato chip from sitting on a shelf in a TX warehouse. Replacements are NLA.

 

[leg17]

The Swiss made Brown & Sharpe is the best for the money.

 

[bob15]

I bought an Etalon on e-bay....same as a B&S, except it has the thumb wheel.

Very nice and smooth. The one negative is the dial marking. I find that the Starrett is easier to read, unless it is because that 's all I've used for the past 25-30 years. I'm not sure if it is the .0005" marks they add, or the .005 lines aren't much different in length than all the others. Bust the dial just looks very "busy".

Maybe in time I will get used to it......

 

[77Mini]

I have a few Mitutoyo's. They are great!
I think not having the thumb wheel would drive me nuts.

 

[BMWED]

I have a few Mitutoyo's. They are great!
I think not having the thumb wheel would drive me nuts.

Ditto, Mitutoyo is very good, and I think you need the thumb wheel for fine adjustment.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Read here:
http://www.longislandindicator.com/p105.html

http://www.use-enco.com/1/1/28022-75-115811-etalon-stainless-steel-dial-calipers.html

I have a pair of these and they are excellent. Better than anything else I've used.

 

[bob15]

Read here:
http://www.longislandindicator.com/p105.html

http://www.use-enco.com/1/1/28022-75-115811-etalon-stainless-steel-dial-calipers.html

I have a pair of these and they are excellent. Better than anything else I've used.

That is what I bought and they are nice. The catch is the numbers on the dial of the Starrett are easier for me to read. the picture on LII's website showing the Etalon's is deceiving because they blow it up too much.

 

[jallyn]

B&S and Starrett are nice. Probably can't go wrong with those names.

Mitutoyo are good, especially if made in Japan. I've ordered the "extra smooth" from McMaster-Carr less than a year ago which was a made in Japan model. Now they don't carry it? Anyway, now all the ones they sell are cheaper, made in Brazil. Obviously not as super smooth as the made in Japan.

 

[anndel]

Mitutoyo, Starrett or Central Tools

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Starrett is NOT the company of old. I personally would steer away from them. Lots of stuff made in Asia now.

 

[davethorik]

Starrett is NOT the company of old. I personally would steer away from them. Lots of stuff made in Asia now.

Even if you buy a new set of Starrett USA dial calipers, they take forever to break in and will never be as smooth as the competition. I have a Starrett 12" set that I never use because my Mitutoyo 12" feel much nicer.

I've noticed for a while, the 4", 6", and 8" Mitutoyo dial calipers are Brazil. 12" still seem to be Japan.

 

[BaMaDuDe87]

My first set of calipers were/are a set of 12" Mitutoyo's with thumb wheel. I have used other calipers without the thumb wheel since then, but don't feel they have the precision without it. I always go running back to a set with thumb wheel now when I need to use them. Get the thumb wheel if that is what you are used to.

Never used any calipers with a black face so I cant comment on that.

 

[My Old Tools]

Most of the new Starretts are from China. If it doesn't say 'Made in America' on the dial then it isn't.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have a very old Starrett that my Dad had when he was a machinist. They are my go to caliper. I also have a digital one but have the same issue with it eating batteries. I solved that by taking the battery out when not in use. I really only use them if I need metric measurements.

 

[gte718p]

My engine machinist still prefers dial calipers for rough bench work, as the cheaper digitals are always eating batteries and .

There is your problem. I've had my Mitutoyos for 15 years and only replaced the batteries once. Of course I don't use them all day every day, but they get plenty of use.

 

[sberry]

This is to new guys. I have a couple spensive ones, some little **** goes wrong with it and its scrap. Fixing expensive tools is a problem and damage can be too. It took a long time to ruin the HF electronic, someone finally did and I need to replace it. The battery in mine went for a long time,,, well over 5 years and just after I replace it the thing got damaged.
I just wrote it on the list, the electronic caliper is about the best thing they ever invented for the general mechanic. Inside, outside and accurate and fast. The fact its around 50 or less is an outright bonus.