You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Budget dial caliper suggestions?
- Thread starter 809
- Start date
Firebrick43
Well-known member
So you want dial calipers and not digital ones? If so a Fowler 6" would be my suggestion for the 50 dollars price range. If you are talking about digital ones the cheapies go thru batteries like crazy and Mitutoyo's are worth the money.
Or learn to use some Vernier calipers and buy a set of swiss made brown and sharpe ones used for 15 bucks on ebay. The look of befuddlement when you hand them to some one to use is priceless!
Or learn to use some Vernier calipers and buy a set of swiss made brown and sharpe ones used for 15 bucks on ebay. The look of befuddlement when you hand them to some one to use is priceless!
laser3kw
Well-known member
don't know where you're at but around here you can find nice calipers on Craigslist for cheap.
don't know where you're at but around here you can find nice calipers on Craigslist for cheap.
I try to avoid craigslist for tools. A lot of the stuff is stolen.
So you want dial calipers and not digital ones? If so a Fowler 6" would be my suggestion for the 50 dollars price range. If you are talking about digital ones the cheapies go thru batteries like crazy and Mitutoyo's are worth the money.
Or learn to use some Vernier calipers and buy a set of swiss made brown and sharpe ones used for 15 bucks on ebay. The look of befuddlement when you hand them to some one to use is priceless!
These are good suggestions. I have a 6" Fowler that works fine for what I need it for. I think the one I have is like $40 on zoro.com.
I do have a cheap import digital caliper as well, which I never use because the batteries are always dead. The Mitutoyo digimatic I have at work needs new batteries every couple of years, not what seems like every time I turn it on. I also have a Mitutoyo vernier caliper which is nice but it's definitely slower to read a vernier than a dial (at least for me). It reads in thousandths and also 1/128ths, which is about as useful as it sounds. A dial is definitely my preference for occasional use.
bassJAM
Well-known member
So you want dial calipers and not digital ones? If so a Fowler 6" would be my suggestion for the 50 dollars price range. If you are talking about digital ones the cheapies go thru batteries like crazy and Mitutoyo's are worth the money.
Or learn to use some Vernier calipers and buy a set of swiss made brown and sharpe ones used for 15 bucks on ebay. The look of befuddlement when you hand them to some one to use is priceless!
Several years ago I was visiting a plant to troubleshoot something and we needed calipers, and nobody seemed to have any. I started rummaging through the plant engineers desk who had recently retired and found a cheap pair of plastic vernier calipers. It took a second to remember how to use them but they saved my ****, I wish I had pocketed them and kept them in my laptop bag.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Vernier calipers are useless for measuring brake rotors because of the rust ridge left on the outer edge of the rotor where the pads don't rub.
RTM
Well-known member
I have a cheap digital Fowler plastic pair that has only used one battery after several years of use. I was working with highly polished SS and glass surfaces, and they did not want to go near them with metal calipers. It has gotten a bit more expensive since I bought it. Was $17 in 2010
4xdog
Well-known member
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Brake caliper file(my preference) or a 4.5" angle grinder knocks the ridge off in two shakes of a lambs tail. Should be done any who before removing the caliper anyways???Vernier calipers are useless for measuring brake rotors because of the rust ridge left on the outer edge of the rotor where the pads don't rub.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have several pairs of these floating around > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M06ZT2T/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They work fine you have to make sure you turn them off before putting away in the case.
They work fine you have to make sure you turn them off before putting away in the case.
bsaint
Well-known member
I second fowler too
McMaster Carr’s budget calipers are Fouler. About $40. I have a couple pairs. Check the id jaws with a tram ring or something of known dimensions. First pair I got the id and od jaws were out by .025” very annoying to make a part that measures good but is scrap! McMaster sent me another pair for free next day!
A mic designed for measuring brake rotors is the best tool imo. Such mics have pointed anvils that can indicate the true, or close to it, thickness.
also wanted to add a micrometer. will start a new thread for that in a few days.
These style won't work on rotors because of the lip around the edgeI have several pairs of these floating around > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M06ZT2T/?tag=atomicindus08-20
They work fine you have to make sure you turn them off before putting away in the case.
Wrench97
Well-known member
They do if you own a file.................................These style won't work on rotors because of the lip around the edge
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Don't go using logic wrenchThey do if you own a file.................................
Packard V8
Well-known member
Yes, the Chicom digital calipers go through batteries. When switched off, they're not actually off. That's why I order a card of the batteries and keep them in the tool box.
My machinist prefers the dial calipers, but today one can buy the digital calipers and a card of batteries for less than the dial.
jack vines
My machinist prefers the dial calipers, but today one can buy the digital calipers and a card of batteries for less than the dial.
jack vines
redwrench60
Well-known member
I hate digital calipers. It’s a trust and quality issue. There are known quality units out there but most are total ****. I never thought a dial caliper was slow or hard to read. Verniers do take a couple extra moments but have nothing to wear out in use.
To the OPs question Central Tools and Fowler make good cheap dial calipers.
To the OPs question Central Tools and Fowler make good cheap dial calipers.
jbfsr
Well-known member
These style won't work on rotors because of the lip around the edge
Amazon.com: HHIP 4100-0044 Caliper Accessory Kit : Industrial & Scientific
Amazon.com: HHIP 4100-0044 Caliper Accessory Kit : Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Just found these.
RoninB4
Well-known member
Everybody has a preference and opinion on measuring tools. I own a fairly good selection and have used many more over 45 years in machine shops. Use whatever works for you as long as the measurement is reliable, consistent. and appropriate for the expected accuracy. A tape measure is fine for most carpentry work, a vernier (very-near) caliper can be trusted to +/- .005. Digital calipers are easy to read but most of the cheaper versions are only good to +/- .001, or so it says on the outside of the box. That's ok for many things, if that stated accuracy can even be trusted. For measuring shims I'd suggest using a micrometer. Presuming the shim is for automotive/motorcycles the range is often approximately .002 (.051 mm) as an example. If your caliper is +/- .001 you have a potential error factor of 50% of your tolerance range. Maybe no big deal to you but we haven't even factored in errors from out of parallel jaws that are sprung, poorly machined jaws, beam deflection from excessive hand pressure, profile deviation of the shim (can't measure this with a caliper), and/or excessive gib clearance leading to deflection in the moving jaw. I don't particularly look forward to valve adjustment, I have other things that require my time. I'd prefer to swap shims just once and move on, that calls for accurate measurements with the least amount of error factors. Even an inexpensive used micrometer ($25) should be regarded as having far greater potential accuracy than a caliper regardless of who makes it. A caliper is fine for what it was designed to do, I have/use them from 6" out to 24" but don't expect them to provide a trustworthy reading to +/- .001. Choose what you use for the level of work you want/expect, that's what professionals do. YMMV.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Excellent points made above. Accuracy down to .001” often depends on the user. Bad technique negates even the best measurement tools
A bunch of my calipers and micrometers have came used off of ebay. Gotta be a little careful and check them good when you get them, but getting a good quality Mitutoyo, etc. for the same price or less of a new cheap one is a way better deal in my opinion.
All mine are dial type. When I started going cross-eyed trying to read vernier style calipers is when I went to all dial type. I have a cheap digital one that I had to buy in a pinch once. I just don't trust them I guess.
All mine are dial type. When I started going cross-eyed trying to read vernier style calipers is when I went to all dial type. I have a cheap digital one that I had to buy in a pinch once. I just don't trust them I guess.
RoninB4
Well-known member
Thank you for adding what I neglected to in my post. A mic can look good but be out of alignment, a well used one (that's never been dropped) can still render a trusted reading. It should be checked, ask how if you don't know.Gotta be a little careful and check them good when you get them, but getting a good quality Mitutoyo, etc. for the same price or less of a new cheap one is a way better deal in my opinion.
Also should have added what redwrench60 stated "Bad technique negates even the best measurement tools"
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
I have a set of husky digital calipers at home. They work perfect for garage stuff and the digital part is actually nice for the occasional metric measurement and I actually used the fractional setting a lot for drill bits.