Bang-for-your-buck measuring tool recommendations

[Tynee]

Good afternoon. I tried a search but couldn't find anything. My highest precision measuring tool currently is a carpenter's rule. I'd like to step into the world of mics and calipers, but don't know where to start. I like the ease of a digital caliper, but like the idea that a dial caliper would last the rest of my lifetime. I don't do a ton that needs to measured to the thousandth, but would like to be able to on occasion. Beyond that, I know it's easy to spend a fortune on the highest quality measuring tools, and Harbor freight probably isn't where I want to go for these. I would like a decent starter mic and caliper.

Any recommendations?

 

[PBCampbell]

Igaging, I've had their digital caliper for at least 15 years. I'd expect their more recent models to be even better. I still have dial and verniers around but I never bother with them.

 

[bob15]

Used Starrett 120A-6 dial calipers can be found for under a hundred bucks.

As for mic's I would also looked used and .0001" only because you never know, you someday might need to measure something into tenths. Mics, I would look at Starrett, B&S and Mitutoyo. I prefer friction thimbles over the ratchet.

 

[M6erfan]

For mid-priced measuring tools I almost always recommend Mitutoyo. Around $100 gets you great quality at a relatively reasonable price. And I hear ya on dial calipers, I prefer them to digital too. If you buy Mitutoyo, buy from a reputable dealer, not eBay or Amazon, a lot of fakes out there.

For example . . .

Mitutoyo 505-742J White Face Dial Caliper, 0.1" per Rev, 0-6" Range, 0.001" Accuracy

Get accurate and reliable measurements with the Mitutoyo 505-742J Dial Caliper, featuring a 0.1 inch per revolution dial and a measuring range of 0-6 inches with 0.001 inch accuracy. This high-quality dial caliper is perfect for machinists, engineers, and scientists. Order now and experience the...

www.msi-viking.com

 

[Skyman]

You can't go wrong with a genuine Starrett or Mitutoyo dial caliper. Unlike digital calipers, they have no batteries that will go dead at the wrong time. I've used both types on the job, but have only ever owned dial, and have no interest in owning digital.

 

[no704]

McMaster has economy calipers, usually Fowler. Been good enough for me! Like $45 for a 6” set. Also have good luck with Shars stuff.

 

[bwringer]

I'll second the recommendation for an iGaging caliper. It's in that sweet spot you're looking for. Under $40, great quality, very accurate, and you're not afraid to use it daily. Mine is a digital caliper than can be switched between inches, inch fractions, and millimeters. Handy as hell. Much better quality than the $10 or $20 no-names.

I also have a digital micrometer from Harbor Freight. The main caveat with that one is that you have to remove the battery between uses or it drains in a few weeks. It's dead nuts accurate and switchable between bananas and metric. If I had to buy the $250+ Mitutoyo or whatever, I simply would not have this tool.

I'll also say that yeah, you CAN go wrong with the major brands if spending the money keeps you from buying other things you need, or makes you afraid to use it. They're great, but money costs money.

And yes, you can buy name brands used, if you like gambling.

 

[Tynee]

Of course I found this tread after I started a new one:

Quality Micrometer Brands?

there only one brand, starrett

www.garagejournal.com

Apologies for doubling up.

Good information and advice, thanks gentlemen.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a Mitutoyo dial caliper and it's no better than the HF dial caliper I also have. I bought the Mitutoyo after the HF because I "wanted" the Mitutoyo. I didn't expect it to be any better, and it's not, but I just wanted it. They're 10+ years old each, so not sure what's sold today. But I've had several of the HF, or Enco, dial calipers over the years and they've all been fine and accurate. Just start with a generic dial caliper for general use- they're so inexpensive that you should have one.

I have a 0-6" set of .0001" resolution micrometers, 0.2-6" dial bore gauges, gage blocks, Mitutoyo test and dial indicators..... so, plenty of measuring stuff

 

[AEAdam]

Digital calipers do things that dials can’t do. The good ones don't eat batteries, but are expensive. But they are lifetime tools.

A basic mic is a good tool to own when precise measurements are needed. I have an ancient Starrett 436. You can get these cheap as chips on eBay. But the HF Chinese digitals are ok. I don’t know how they handle batteries.

I’d start with the digi cal. They are pretty great and you may not need better. Note: they are technique sensitive. I have Mitutoyo and Starrett models. The Starretts are nicer in many ways. Bought them on eBay pretty cheap. The recent models are beautiful. Older models are rebranded junk.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Fowler High Precision has some very good value line products.

Fowler High Precision - Quality Inspection and Metrology Solutions

Fowler High Precision is recognized as one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality inspection, control and calibration equipment. Providing innovations in inspection and measurement for quality control and metrology. Measurement Made Easy!

www.fowlerprecision.com

 

[AEAdam]

Fowler High Precision has some very good value line products.

Fowler High Precision - Quality Inspection and Metrology Solutions

Fowler High Precision is recognized as one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality inspection, control and calibration equipment. Providing innovations in inspection and measurement for quality control and metrology. Measurement Made Easy!

www.fowlerprecision.com

Hmmmm. I’m not convinced Fowler offers bang for your buck. I don’t think Fowler has been a manufacturer for a long time. They are an importer and rebrander of tools, some good, some chinese junk.

In the past, they had deals with the good Swiss manufacturers. I have some and they are top notch. I feel as tho if you are looking for value, you are better off with igaging or HF or no name stuff.

I feel as tho there is no mid market digital calipers. There are the cheap Chinese calipers at the bottom, mid priced rebrands of the exact same cheap Chinese calipers, then the good Japanese or Swiss calipers

 

[vavet]

If you’ve been using a ruler or measuring tape up until now, I’ll offer a counter to other posters and suggest HF will offer greater accuracy that you’ll ever need.
High quality tools are expensive because of a few factors:
durability
adjustability
accuracy
for the hobbyist, you will likely never wear them out so the durability aspect is of less concern.
you also won’t use them enough for them to fall out of calibratio .
id suggest accuracy will be way better than your carpenters rule.
spent the $15 at HF and see what you think. Not much to lose.

 

[whateg01]

Everybody always says you can't rely on calipers but I still turn to my first set that I bought from harbor freight probably 17 or 18 years ago. Dial. Inch/metric. Very consistent. If I am working down to a dimension on the lathe, though, I grab the digital until I get close, then get the mic out. The last set of calipers I bought was from anytime tools and it's as consistent as any other set I have.

 

[bwringer]

The iGaging tools are a distinct cut above the lower-end Chinese stuff; they're a better level of Chinese stuff, not just rebrands. They don't run the batteries down, for one.

FWIW, I also have a very cheap plastic set of calipers I use when I just need "close enough" on something filthy or damaging, like an exhaust pipe.

 

[dnschmidt]

Mitutoyo. Your statement that a digital caliper will not last as long as a mechanical caliper is untrue. There are tons of tiny little gears and stuff in mechanical calipers that are far more prone to break than a Mitutoyo digital caliper. Buy the Mitutoyo digital caliper and you're good for the rest of your life. Any others, except for Starrett and SPI of course, are typically cheap Chinese junk.

Micrometers are a different story. Although precision instruments the are basically a screw. I've got a set imported micrometers off of Amazon (Anytime Tools) that are actually quite good and match my Brown and Sharpe exactly.

 

[alfadan]

Pawn shops in my area often have measuring stuff. I don't know if its because of the aircraft industry here or what, but could be source in your area.

I'd recommend finding some things that are a known dimension to practice correct measuring technique; calipers especially take some care to use correctly.

 

[dscheidt]

The calipers I use most often are a cheap ($12 when I bought them, currently $9) plastic digital calipers from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFFYCXS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
they sit in a tool caddy that has my commony used screwdrivers and a couple little picks, a pencil. NO worries about them breaking or getting damged, they're cheaper than a tape measured. ONe nice thing about being plastic is you can use them on magnets.

They only read to the 1/100th of an inch, but for most of what I want a calipers for is "what size drill bit do I need" kind of work, and that's fine. I have a pair of very nice mitoutoyos, for things that matter more, and mics for stuff that really matters. the cheapies are dead on within their limits. In my usage, a battery lasts 6 or 8 months.

 

[Old tool guy]

Followed the link for the mitutoyo in post 4, found this image. What is the measurement showing?

 

[jayemm]

For mid-priced digital calipers look at Shars Tools (they also have an ebay store --Discount Machine Shop). Their brand is Aventor.
For dial calipers, and recommendations and other stuff really, check out the web forums that cater to machinists. These guys use this stuff daily.
I had a personal set of Starrett #120 dial calipers for years. Got tired of dirt getting in the tiny rack teeth and jumping the needle and having to reset it and gifted them out after getting digital calipers. Don't miss them. F**k nostalgia. At least Mitutoyo has the rack covered to prevent that. For occasional use I probably wouldn't go used on precision measuring tools considering the quality of some imports and the prices. I don't want somebody's used stuff, no matter how great the name, that may be out of calibration or have worn threads (mics) or other undisclosed defects( sprung/worn caliper or mic jaws etc.) that aren't obvious by purchasing it on ebay or whatever. I did Q.C. inspection as a job using this stuff daily and concerning used precision tools I would want to handle and check out first. Just my opinion.
ETA. the Fowler of today is not the same quality as long ago. Some is dicey cheap, Chinese stuff at a higher price with the Fowler name. Another one that's hit and miss is SPI brand.
Oh yea, one last note. Be aware that many digital calipers that take the small button battery (LR44 or 357 or equivalent) eat those batteries quickly because only the display shuts off and the electronics are still drawing power. Mitutoyo is one exception here as I've had a battery last at least 2 years in constant everyday use (and they are noted for very low power consumption but you pay for that along with their proven quality). And the cheaper one's draw more power than the Mits in both the on and off state. A bit longer life can be gotten from the silver oxide (SR44 etc ) button cells versus the alkaline LR44.
My next set of digitals will most likely take the bigger coin cell (CR2032, CR2025). Unless of course I get a set of Mitutoyo's.

 

[RTM]

Followed the link for the mitutoyo in post 4, found this image. What is the measurement showing?

Metric on top
Inches on the bottom

Same as most.

Measuring about 1/2”, parallax stops me from getting closer.

 

[Deywalker]

Followed the link for the mitutoyo in post 4, found this image. What is the measurement showing?

If you mean what the actual measurement would be, its about 493-494 thou.

 

[alfadan]

Metric on top
Inches on the bottom

Same as most.

Measuring about 1/2”, parallax stops me from getting closer.

****, I'm not an 'old guy' but I would need some magnification and only be certain within a couple thou. On a picture, not a chance!

 

[jayemm]

My trifocals say 0.496". Never did like them damn verniers.

 

[whateg01]

0.491

 

[Nutria]

Used Starrett 120A-6 dial calipers can be found for under a hundred bucks.

As for mic's I would also looked used and .0001" only because you never know, you someday might need to measure something into tenths. Mics, I would look at Starrett, B&S and Mitutoyo. I prefer friction thimbles over the ratchet.

If going used, there are a few other vintage makers that fly under the radar somewhat: Lufkin, Scherr-Tumico, and Central Tool. All are good instruments and generally very good value.

 

[whateg01]

Man! I have a hard time buying used calipers. I've seen too many with Jaws that don't meet up properly or there's so much crud in the gear rack you don't know if it'll ever mesh right again. Maybe buying in person would give me more confidence in it but it's a lot of money to spend on something that might end up being wall art.

 

[jayemm]

Man! I have a hard time buying used calipers. I've seen too many with Jaws that don't meet up properly or there's so much crud in the gear rack you don't know if it'll ever mesh right again. Maybe buying in person would give me more confidence in it but it's a lot of money to spend on something that might end up being wall art.

I hear ya. Do you take along gage blocks or micrometer standards to check the caliper O.D. jaws. And then there's the little "ears" I.D. jaws which in my experience tend to wear quicker and even though it's tougher to get and trust an I.D. measurement it'd still be nice if the jaws were not worn some unknown amount.

 

[M6erfan]

Mitutoyo. Your statement that a digital caliper will not last as long as a mechanical caliper is untrue. There are tons of tiny little gears and stuff in mechanical calipers that are far more prone to break than a Mitutoyo digital caliper. Buy the Mitutoyo digital caliper and you're good for the rest of your life. Any others, except for Starrett and SPI of course, are typically cheap Chinese junk.

Micrometers are a different story. Although precision instruments the are basically a screw. I've got a set imported micrometers off of Amazon (Anytime Tools) that are actually quite good and match my Brown and Sharpe exactly.

I have an old SPI dial caliper that I still use. Sits in my desk drawer.

 

[goldtang]

I have a digital Mitutoyo vernier that I was given when I finished my apprenticeship that was in 1982 and it is still going , if looked after they will last for a long time , I have collected over the years 3 More digital and 3 vernier scale all still going strong I don’t use the vernier, The only digital vernier that i Have come across that is a bit hit and miss was a blue point 6 inch I looked like it is a generic made one that has different manufacturers name on it

 

[F-22]

If you see well, get a vernier Mitutoyo for under 40$. If you don't see well, get the digital for about 120$.

You can zero a digital anywhere on the scale and if you know how to use that it gets very useful for measuring distances between holes and some other cases (e.g. to measure the distance between two 8mm holes, measure one hole at 8mm, zero it, then just measure the largest distance between holes and it will read out the centre distance).

Dial caliper is a thing of the past. It looks cool but that is the most failure-prone design out of the three.

Accuracy is the same on all of them. Digital may give a false sense of better accuracy but neither is really better than a vernier scale.

Don't buy cheap digitals, they eat batteries and do not have an absolute scale. My mitutoyo calipers last for years and years on a battery, just take care to turn it off when you do not need it.

Starrett is probably fine too. They're cool in the US but are not really sold elsewhere. Mitutoyo is quite undisputed when it comes to mass produced precision made measuring tools. There are very good niche brands but I do not think anyone is as large as Mitutoyo.

 

[LopezBart]

I've had a set of Brown & Sharpe dial caliper/mike/dial indicator I bought in the 1980s for around $100 on a special deal. All work well still, despite significant if careful use. The big advantage of digital, of course, is that they do both metric and Imperial units w/o the risks of math errors on conversion; if you're using machine tools w/o DROs this doesn't help much, of course; you'll want something that matches your tools. I also have a 12" Mitutoyo caliper that has precious little use, and a set of 0-6" import micrometers that has so far worked just fine when I needed something better that dial calipers (interference fits on 2" shafting, for example). If you're not machining stuff, I'd buy Mitutoyo digital calipers - but keep in mind, they're not as accurate as the read-out shows - for that, you'll want micrometers.

 

[AEAdam]

Here’s what I think you need to know:
1) it’s possible the electronic head units on all Chinese calipers are the same. I don’t think big display or small, fractions or not is any indication of a newer or better design.

2) The reader head is probably not the cause for inaccuracy. It’s the grinding and sloppy finish work on the moving components. Inconsistent friction results in bad readings regardless of the style of caliper. Some guys, me included, get the cheapest calipers and lap them until they are silky smooth. This works! I suspect paying more doesn’t guaranty better machining/grinding. But it might! You just never know with China.

3) The standard Chinese head unit is notorious for short battery life. SR44 batteries last longer than LR44 and are 100% compatible.

4) The basic Chinese digital caliper head was a poor copy of Mitutoyo and has been around a LONG time. The newer Chinese heads use lithium CR2032 batteries, which have more power. I suspect these are better head units. If you are going cheap, look for models with the big battery.

5) On good models, the inner and outer jaws are finely ground and both accurate. There are other surfaces, all precisely ground on good calipers, that may be slightly off on the cheapies. This isn’t easily fixed or tested for.

6) Accuracy and number of decimal places shown are different. Just because it reads to .0005” doesn’t mean it’s accurate to that. Mitutoyo’s stated accuracy is +/- .0010” for their calipers.

7) Coolant proof calipers have seals that may help preserve caliper life and accuracy regardless of whether they experience coolant or not. Coolant proof calipers handle dust better than non coolant proof models.

 

[F-22]

On good models, the inner and outer jaws are finely ground and both accurate. There are other surfaces, all precisely ground on good calipers, that may be slightly off on the cheapies. This isn’t easily fixed or tested for.

Also, you can try a caliper by measuring a bearing. Those are more exactly ground than calipers measure. If you zero it so that you measure the outside diameter precisely, and then measure the inner diameter, you will probably see an error that you wouldn't on a quality caliper... Matching the outer jaws to the inner ones is not easy.

 

[MushCreek]

My Mitutoyo digital calipers are about 40 years old, used heavily every day in the machining trades. Still works fine. As was said, a digital will do things a dial or vernier won't. If you get a metal chip in the rack of a dial caliper, it can skip a tooth every time it goes over that spot. Worse, it can skip back, so it still reads zero when you close it.

 

[Old tool guy]

If you mean what the actual measurement would be, its about 493-494 thou.

Ok. I see the 0.49 … how do you get the next number?

 

[Tynee]

Ok. I see the 0.49 … how do you get the next number?

Lol. I thought you were testing us to see who really knew their stuff...

I didn't answer because the pic was too blurry for my eyes.

This link may be helpful: https://www.wpiinc.com/blog/post/line-up-reading-a-vernier-scale

 

[Rockable]

I have a Mitutoyo digital that I seldom use. My go to is a dial caliper that I bought years ago from WT Tool. Most likely Taiwan made. It is very accurate and tells me what I need to know most of the time. the Mitutoyo's buttons are aggravating to use. I have to use a tool to push on them to zero the calipers. The + side is they do inch and metric.

 

[908Jim]

If you're using a carpenters rule, It doesn't seem like you would need to drop thousands on precision micrometers and calipers. I would guess that a dial caliper is an adequate step up in precision. Mitutoyo Digimatic Calipers are probably the gold standard in digital calipers but they are often counterfeit and should only be bought through a reputable retailer. I own them and use them for metric use, but I prefer the feel of mechanicals.

I have three Standard Inch Dials I use regularly, Two Starrett 120A-6 and a Mitutoyo 505-611 "Super Smooth" movement calipers, and Mitutoyo Digimatic Calipers. My original Starrett 120A-6's from the Early 2000's are by far the nicest pair I own and have ever used, bar none. My second set of 120A-6's from ~2010 or so are not quite as smooth but they're well made. The Mitutoyo 505-611 Super Smooths are in between the two. Mitutoyo 505-742's are decent probably on par with modern 120A-6's, but at half the price.

SPI and Fowler make ok quality beater calipers. I've used and abused dozens of them and they're fine. I used to buy the $10 harbor freight digitals but they don't hold up well and I've had several examples with abnormalities in the scale where you have strange spots of inaccuracy. They're not worth it to me. If you're going with mechanical variants, do not cheap out because they low end ones are gritty and generally awful.

 

[MushCreek]

Digital calipers are good for comparative measurements. Such as, "How much bigger is this part than that one? Measure part A, zero it, and measure part B. Or distance between holes of the same size. Measure the ID of the hole, zero it, then measure the inside of one hole to another. It will give the distance without any figuring or compensating. And, of course, inch/metric.