Times Two
Bang-for-your-buck measuring tool recommendations
- Thread starter Tynee
- Start date
jayemm
Well-known member
Well, if there is concern about all of the "Chinese junk" being the same, maybe these at $14.99 would be something to try at minimal financial risk. They even take the bigger CR2032 batteries.So I think this is another really good thread. “Bang for your buck calipers”. I don’t know if we’ve figured this one out. I want to think maybe Shars is the best bang for your buck.
Aventor 6" IP67 Electronic Caliper
www.shars.com
This one has 3 CR2032 batteries and says it meets IP67 which is dust and water to 1m IIRC. The problem is, it’s a Chinese tool that may not really meet that rating and its $67USD. Ratings are iffy.
My experience with other products from SHARS is that nothing written is to be believed. This one claims minimum 1yr battery life.
Shars isn’t what they used to be, however. They used to be the HF of machine tools. They were THE source of poorly ground, unheat treated drill bits. Now they carry Starrett TESA, Mitutoyo etc. so maybe time to try them again? I think this would be my pick.
Harbor Freight Composites may be the best bang for your buck just due to the low price. I use something a little nicer than these at work:
These are nice because they won’t break if you drop them, the slide is actually pretty smooth and easily maintained, they won’t scratch what you measure (why I use them on aircraft). And at $10USD, flipping close enough! Problem is, same ole Chinese reader head that eats batteries.
6 in. Composite Digital Caliper
Amazing deals on this 6In Composite Digital Caliper at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.www.harborfreight.com
I started with these:
These are the same calipers many of us bought that eat batteries. I think these exact same calipers have been rebranded, manufactured by dozens of Chinese companies, and disappointed countless buyers. I suspect any tool that looks like these ARE these. Looks like a duck…. So the question is, why pay any more than this, if this is what you getting anyway?
I don’t think Fowler or iGaging are really “best bang for your buck” tools. I think you are getting the same ole Chinese rubbish for pretty significant price increases. At least the Shars Aventor looks like a newer model.
https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-S...-Fraction/dp/B0CKG3768M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Or maybe these:
Or maybe these:
****** For more money ,$38.00 and probably a better caliper without breaking the bank here's some Fowler digital that take the larger CR2032 batteries. Even comes with a "calibration certificate" (see Amazon review video)
Also, Amazon has a bunch of look-a-like cheap dial calipers at various price points.
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This. If you buy a Mitutoyo digital on Ebay, or Amazon, there's a very good chance it's a counterfeit. A counterfeit might read as accurate as Mitutoyo, but it's not a Mitutoyo.
Rockable
Well-known member
Well, I'm a dumb ***. After all these years, I learned what the Origin button is for on my Mitutoyo calipers. I guess I will use them more often now. 
jayemm
Well-known member
You shouldn't need to reset zero every time if you clean the jaws and close them , zero it and press origin with a ballpoint pen tip or similar. That sets the origin which is now set at zero and should come back to zero when the jaws are closed.Here is mine. The Zero is recessed and it has to be reset every time you turn if on. Don't get this kind.
****. I can't get the pictures to upload and I don't know how to delete this post. Sorry.
******** OOPS. Sorry. Just saw you learned about the origin button.*************
Damn newfangled technology.