Metric Micrometer

[Rosso]

Hello,

I am looking to purchase two metric micrometers, 0 - 25 and 25 -50 mm.

I had long wanted a set of Starretts but was stunned to find that they are all now China made something confirmed to me by Starrett when i emailed them.

I looked at Moore and Wright, they too are China made now.

I know Mitutoyo are Japanese and very good but i was hoping for something US/UK made.

Can anyone point me in the direction of such a thing ?

 

[4xdog]

I'd look for good vintage stuff. There's a ton of it out there and it'll be made where you'd like, too.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I rely on my Mitutoyo's, have for years... not sure their COO, may be the same as Starrett. Mine date to the mid 70's, so if you really want quality and domestic COO, you;re going to have to either look at vintage tools or pay for something like SO (which doesn't mean it's not made in China as well... sorry...)

Problem is most our manufacturing got offshored years ago when the companies realized to turn a profit they had to cut manufacturing costs, and the Chinese could do it at under 10¢ on the dollar what it costs here. Then we shut down our plants, gutted them, scrapped the machinery (which scrap then got sold to China), and we have hulks in the rust belt.

We need a stimulus program to pump trillions BACK into our manufacturing so we can un-condemn our factories and put OUR people to work making quality goods... but that's a drift for a different thread.

 

[Rosso]

I'd look for good vintage stuff. There's a ton of it out there and it'll be made where you'd like, too.

Yes lots on ebay, it's probably the only choice now. Even Central tools stuff is china now

 

[Rosso]

I rely on my Mitutoyo's, have for years... not sure their COO, may be the same as Starrett. Mine date to the mid 70's, so if you really want quality and domestic COO, you;re going to have to either look at vintage tools or pay for something like SO (which doesn't mean it's not made in China as well... sorry...)

Problem is most our manufacturing got offshored years ago when the companies realized to turn a profit they had to cut manufacturing costs, and the Chinese could do it at under 10¢ on the dollar what it costs here. Then we shut down our plants, gutted them, scrapped the machinery (which scrap then got sold to China), and we have hulks in the rust belt.

We need a stimulus program to pump trillions BACK into our manufacturing so we can un-condemn our factories and put OUR people to work making quality goods... but that's a drift for a different thread.

SO ones are china too

Couldn't agree more, Covid has highlighted how pathetic our own facilities are that we can't even produce enough PPE equipment.

 

[californiaHank]

Some Starrett mics are still made in the US, but not their lower priced ones. If you go to the Starrett web site, US made products have an American flag icon on the detailed product description, and non-US products have an icon and the legend "Global Series" instead of the flag.

Moore and Wright used to be made in the UK, but any recent ones I've seen have been made in China.

I like the 'mid-priced' Mitutoyo 102 series. They're a _lot_ nicer than the Chinese Starretts. Mine were made in Japan, and I think the latest ones are still made there.

 

[Rosso]

Some Starrett mics are still made in the US, but not their lower priced ones. If you go to the Starrett web site, US made products have an American flag icon on the detailed product description, and non-US products have an icon and the legend "Global Series" instead of the flag.

Moore and Wright used to be made in the UK, but any recent ones I've seen have been made in China.

I like the 'mid-priced' Mitutoyo 102 series. They're a _lot_ nicer than the Chinese Starretts. Mine were made in Japan, and I think the latest ones are still made there.

I spoke with them last week, apparently only the inch Mic's are made in the US, the person i spoke with said all of the Metric ones have been china made for about two years now.

 

[Dave455]

Well first off, you’re doing the right thing by not buying the Chinese ones. I have yet to see any Chinese outsourced products that are as good as the originals, the prices are generally the same, and the only motive for the outsourcing is an attempt to increase profits. It usually fails, along with the company, in the long term!

The solution - buy used! I know that’s advice that is often bandied around. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes horrendously bad. In the case of micrometers, it’s good.

There isn’t a lot to go wrong with a micrometer. If you get one in good condition, and avoid any tools with signs of abuse, you are usually o.k. You can check the zero, adjust it if needed, and there’s not much to go wrong after that. Mic’s are rugged and reliable!

If you have a used tools shop, that’s a good place to start. Failing that, eBay works well, and good tools can be had for very fair prices. Look for Moore and Wright or Starrett, and you will be fine. Don’t be tempted by tatty tools, there are plenty of decent ones out there!

If you have to buy new, go for Mitutoyu (which were made in Japan when I last saw them new) or Tesa, which are Swiss made. The prices of both (especially Tesa) have show up in recent years though!

Good hunting!

 

[Skin]

Its not that Starretts are "now all made in China" but that you're trying to get micrometers with a metric readout. Their standard stuff is still US made and they offer a lot more of it. Their digitals are US made/assembled and will obviously do both though.

Mitutoyo Micrometers are all made in Japan I believe. They do make some stuff in Brazil but I don't think any micrometers are.

Since you're in the UK you should have good access to Etalon which use to be amongst the very best.

 

[californiaHank]

I spoke with them last week, apparently only the inch Mic's are made in the US, the person i spoke with said all of the Metric ones have been china made for about two years now.

Strange. The Starrett web site says this 25mm micrometer, and others in the same (premium) series, are US made.

https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/V1230MXRL

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I needed good metric only calipers and bought super clean (look and function like new) yellow face Mitutoyo from these guys on eBay.... I guess they refurb / rebuild mics and calipers etc.... Anyway, check them out...

https://ebay.com/usr/ideal.precision

Put it this way. I will continue to buy measuring tools from them because they work as they should. It's not some guy in the garage thinking it works fine and you get it and it's all crunchy. I spent a little bit more but there's zero headache... And still way cheaper than new.

 

[Rosso]

Strange. The Starrett web site says this 25mm micrometer, and others in the same (premium) series, are US made.

https://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/V1230MXRL

If you look down a bit you see it says discontinued. I enquired as 1 is still listed but it is not available either.

It’s a shame as Starrett has a facility in Scotland and used to make everything there, but they only make saws there now. For me Metric is standard.

Mitutoyo seems to be the only option but the cases they come
In are so flimsy. Probably get something vintage off eBay

 

[MushCreek]

My go-to is Etalon, but they are made in Switzerland.

 

[travisn1]

Once we bought a full set of Starrett mics from a used tool dealer, in the wooden box and everything. Realized they were metric on the drive home. Oops. They were probably never used for that reason.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have a 0-75mm set by VIS out of Poland. The 75-100mm is a Japanese made Kanon and the 100-125 is a new Mitutoyo . I think it could be made in Brazil. I listed them in order of quality as well as size. Generally I much prefer Mits over Starretts.

The VIS needed cleaning and adjusting. They are friction thimble instead of ratchet and are they nice to use.

 

[Rosso]

To follow up, i managed to get some NOS Starrett micrometers off ebay.

Brand new 1980 vintage in mint condition, made in Scotland ones