Digital calipers - something between HF and Mitutoyo?

[Mgdoug3]

I was thinking about calipers the other day. I really like dial calipers the best because I don't want to worry about batteries. I have an old Mitutoyo that's smooth as silk but only 4" long. It makes me hate using my SPI digital ones. I would like to buy high quality dial calipers (Starrett, Mitutoyo or Brown and Sharpe) but I don't want to spend $100. I use micrometers when I want to be precise so I don't see the benefit of expensive calipers.

I use calipers to get a rough diameter or when I trying to figure out a bolt. I don't need a set of calipers to be that accurate.

 

[Retroman]

I have a Fowler Pro-Max made in Japan and work fine for what I do in the garage.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Looks like around 60-70 reasons to me.

Unless you want to subsidize the purchase...

Will the Mitutoyo more accurately measure the length of a bolt I need to grab at home depot? Or more accurately scribe a cut line in a piece of metal?

Using your caliper as a scriber? Go with HF, you'll be happy.

 

[mike93lx]

Using your caliper as a scriber? Go with HF, you'll be happy.

Yeah, like nearly everyone else in the real world

 

[Citation]

Using your caliper as a scriber? Go with HF, you'll be happy.

HF calipers are $20 and have poor finish. For many that won't make a material difference in their measurements but it is something you can feel as you try to change yet another battery.

The iGaging calipers cost $10 more but fill most of the gap between HF and Mitutoyo. They also feel nice, are more accurate and the battery last a few years.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Yeah, like nearly everyone else in the real world

Yeah? I work in the real world. I haven't scribed a line in probably 25 years.

 

[mike93lx]

Yeah? I work in the real world. I haven't scribed a line in probably 25 years.

Congratulations, you should be proud

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Congratulations, you should be proud

I am! Thank you very much. Have a good day!

 

[jar944]

I prefer dial to digital. Spi used to be relatively inexpensive compared to mitutoyo, though a quick check today showed me that may not be the case.

The stuff from shars has been good enough for shop work.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have come to the conclusion the OP is a self righteous jerk.

 

[mike93lx]

I have come to the conclusion the OP is a self righteous jerk.

Thanks for participating

 

[Renegade1LI]

I think you should also have a decent set of gauge blocks, otherwise you’re just guessing how accurate your calipers are. I bought a set of shars economy grade with calibration certificate with 81 pcs. This set is fine for what i need and it’s just an easy way to double check whatever caliber you get, plus they were just under 100$ delivered.

 

[mike93lx]

I think you should also have a decent set of gauge blocks, otherwise you’re just guessing how accurate your calipers are. I bought a set of shars economy grade with calibration certificate with 81 pcs. This set is fine for what i need and it’s just an easy way to double check whatever caliber you get, plus they were just under 100$ delivered.

Thanks. That feels like way overkill for me, but having some reference dimension would be good. I think something like a 1-2-3 block may be plenty for what I'm doing. I could see a few sizes maybe being helpful for setup on the table saw and router table, like 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, etc

 

[Renegade1LI]

Thanks. That feels like way overkill for me, but having some reference dimension would be good. I think something like a 1-2-3 block may be plenty for what I'm doing. I could see a few sizes maybe being helpful for setup on the table saw and router table, like 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, etc

Check out woodpeckers they make some nice set up and gauge blocks for woodworking..

 

[mike93lx]

Check out woodpeckers they make some nice set up and gauge blocks for woodworking..

Based on their pricing for most tools, I bet that 80 piece set you listed is cheaper than the half dozen sizes I might want

 

[Jswain]

I know you said digital but for measuring bolts and making a scribe maybe you would be ok with a dial caliper. I was in the same boat as you but I also didn't want to leave something with tiny batteries in my unheated shop so picked up a 6" metric/inch Accusize last year and it definitely feels twice as nice as a cheapy which I also have(but keep inside because of the tiny batteries which are conveniently dead right now lol)

 

[DerekV]

OP, what is it about the HF calipers that has led you to wanting something a little more? Battery life? Screen size? Backlight? Fractions? Etc.

I ask because price seems to be one of the most important factors in your decision, and at least one more data point could make your search over and done with. Perhaps an eBay or Amazon search sorted by price low to high and start there. Things like screen size are pretty obvious in pictures, especially if you are used to looking at the same one for several years, where taller/skinnier font can catch your eye more. Battery size should also be provided in the description, so if that’s important then picking one that uses a larger lithium coin cell may do the trick. And so on.

If HF is basically fine for you, then more likely than not any ol cheapy with the basic enhancements you’re yearning for will do. This is a tool enthusiast website discussing the topic of measuring instruments, so strong opinions are inevitable and probably not too helpful for your situation.

Isolate your feature set and stay in that lane. Analysis paralysis will cause more grief than what you’ll likely spend on your new calipers

 

[mike93lx]

OP, what is it about the HF calipers that has led you to wanting something a little more? Battery life? Screen size? Backlight? Fractions? Etc.

I ask because price seems to be one of the most important factors in your decision, and at least one more data point could make your search over and done with. Perhaps an eBay or Amazon search sorted by price low to high and start there. Things like screen size are pretty obvious in pictures, especially if you are used to looking at the same one for several years, where taller/skinnier font can catch your eye more. Battery size should also be provided in the description, so if that’s important then picking one that uses a larger lithium coin cell may do the trick. And so on.

If HF is basically fine for you, then more likely than not any ol cheapy with the basic enhancements you’re yearning for will do. This is a tool enthusiast website discussing the topic of measuring instruments, so strong opinions are inevitable and probably not too helpful for your situation.

Isolate your feature set and stay in that lane. Analysis paralysis will cause more grief than what you’ll likely spend on your new calipers

Part of this was to just see what I could be missing. I have mostly used the harbor freight ones for reloading, which worked fine, but as they were my only experience with calipers, I felt like this should be a decent place to ask the question.

I'm not pouring over specs and stressing about differences, I also don't have any real need for them either, so waiting will cause no harm

I get enthusiasm about a subject. Being into tech, cameras, guns, tools, cars and watches at various levels and times shows that there are often very passionate, and snobby, fans in all or them. I have no patience though for people that blindly question or insult personal circumstances or reasons behind decisions though.

 

[mike93lx]

I know you said digital but for measuring bolts and making a scribe maybe you would be ok with a dial caliper. I was in the same boat as you but I also didn't want to leave something with tiny batteries in my unheated shop so picked up a 6" metric/inch Accusize last year and it definitely feels twice as nice as a cheapy which I also have(but keep inside because of the tiny batteries which are conveniently dead right now lol)

Heating isn't an issue for me, but dead batteries are definitely annoying. Maybe a dial set is worth it. The speed of reading and ease of converting UOM is really nice on digital though

 

[Jswain]

Dual needle = no converting...unless you need fractions

 

[mike93lx]

Dual needle = no converting...unless you need fractions

TIL that such an animal exists, thanks.

 

[Steve_P]

Strange thread. Ask for suggestions and then shoot them down. I guess buy a HF and get it over with.

Nothing I have is digital and it all works just fine for home use; including .0001" graduation micrometers. And I can't stand fractions and would never want that feature on a digital caliper.

 

[mike93lx]

Strange thread. Ask for suggestions and then shoot them down. I guess buy a HF and get it over with.

Nothing I have is digital and it all works just fine for home use; including .0001" graduation micrometers. And I can't stand fractions and would never want that feature on a digital caliper.

Yes, very strange thread

 

[oldmachinenut]

Buy something with CR2032 battery first off. Second one the Fractional setting is extremely useful, more so than you will realise till you own a set.
Had a set of these for 10years now and use them the most out of the 8+ sets I own.
Battery life is awesome, they have survived grinding grit, over spray, a couple drops and dirty hands.
Large display, Range: 0-6" Accuracy: 0.001" Repeatability: 0.0005" Resolution: 0.0005"/0.01mm/1/128"
And they Zero and hold zero on first try

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQEZ2W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks for posting this, I just ordered one

 

[corn chip]

I think you should also have a decent set of gauge blocks, otherwise you’re just guessing how accurate your calipers are. I bought a set of shars economy grade with calibration certificate with 81 pcs. This set is fine for what i need and it’s just an easy way to double check whatever caliber you get, plus they were just under 100$ delivered.

not a jab against you but shars is equivalent to dollar store stuff, perhaps not even that good. should see their dial indicators LOL. its hilarious how crappy they are.
if you zero it on the dial then push the arm in and let it go back to zero ten times ,the dial never goes back to zero , or to the same spot every time. one time it will stop at 1. next time it will stop at .5. next time 1.1. you get what im saying

 

[MarvinBerry]

The husky has been good for me. Build feels a little more solid then the HF cheapos & I'm still on the same battery a year & change in. Worth the $30 & more then accurate enough for what I'm doing.

 

[GRB]

Avoid Starrett Digital lower end units. Personally, I use a Mitutoyo Vernier for what you are describing. Rugged, fast, no battery to go dead on the cheap ones. My Mitutoyo Digital and other high precision stay in machinist tools for precision work.

 

[mike93lx]

Avoid Starrett Digital lower end units. Personally, I use a Mitutoyo Vernier for what you are describing. Rugged, fast, no battery to go dead on the cheap ones. My Mitutoyo Digital and other high precision stay in machinist tools for precision work.

Re: cheaper Starrett. In your opinion, Are they bad or just not good enough for what they cost?

 

[metaleltr]

I have been quite happy digital calipers from General tools and Shars. Supposedly Shars was engineered in the US and manufactured overseas to high quality standards. The Shars come recommended to me by machinists but nothing I have done is precise enough to tell a difference.

 

[BTL-A4]

It seems to me you are wanting to upgrade because you think you'd enjoy using a good tool, and you are correct! So treat yourself. I have about 5 calipers and they all work just fine for the hobby work I do. I have the 1-2-3 blocks to check them and they are all within 0.0005" of the blocks and each other. I do like the nicer ones, since they feel better: smoother action, better finish, etc. But, one of my calipers is about 30 years old and works fine. It was a cheapo Chinesium pair. I have some Craftsman (made by Mitutoyo, I think) that feel real nice. And, I have some cheaper digital ones. I don't care for the fractional readings; 111/132 really isn't helpful to me! Ha! Woodworking projects are plus or minus 1/32" most of the time for me, anyway. I even have 2 pairs of Vernier calipers when I want to torture myself, but they are vintage Craftsman and Mitutoyo ones, so they are built well and slide nice.

I got most of mine used on Ebay. The digital ones I got new.

So, treat yourself to a nice caliper and enjoy using a well-made tool!

 

[BTL-A4]

Re: cheaper Starrett. In your opinion, Are they bad or just not good enough for what they cost?

Starrett makes one model of calipers in the USA and they also have a non-USA one. Just be sure to look for COO when you buy them.

My grandfather was a machinist and had all Starrett stuff. I still have his micrometers. The machine shop teacher where I used to work likes them as well. I like supporting US companies, so I try to buy US-made tools, but they are pricey. Mitutoyo and Brown & Sharp are also well-thought of brands.

I like to hold a pair in my hands and use them, so I go with what is comfortable for me.

Long Island Indicator has pages of info about these. They have their opinions, so have fun going down that rabbit hole!

Calipers Comparison

Dial calipers, digital calipers, vernier calipers, plastic calipers, fractional calipers comparison

www.longislandindicator.com

 

[Jicle]

Can confirm Mitutoyo 6" digital for $119 is 100x better than fowler or harbor freight. If you are going to buy fowler. You might as well just get Harbor freight anyway. It's all Chinese and low quality. The world of digital calipers is sad these days. All but mitutoyo are Chinese.

 

[mike93lx]

Can confirm Mitutoyo 6" digital for $119 is 100x better than fowler or harbor freight. If you are going to buy fowler. You might as well just get Harbor freight anyway. It's all Chinese and low quality. The world of digital calipers is sad these days. All but mitutoyo are Chinese.

Not everything out of China is garbage, and not everything out of Japan/Germany/USA is good. Dismissing a product on COO for quality is foolish.

I am speaking broadly and not dismissing the quality of Mitutoyo or heralding the quality of HF

 

[QtheGenius]

Why not get a pair of dial calipers? get rid of the battery requirement.

 

[mike93lx]

Why not get a pair of dial calipers? get rid of the battery requirement.

Digital is easier to read and having an extra battery on hand isn't a big deal?

 

[Citation]

Can confirm Mitutoyo 6" digital for $119 is 100x better than fowler or harbor freight. If you are going to buy fowler. You might as well just get Harbor freight anyway. It's all Chinese and low quality. The world of digital calipers is sad these days. All but mitutoyo are Chinese.

Not in my experience. On a 1-10 scale if we say HF is 1 and Mitu is 10 then Fowler econ models are 6. They are with iGaging non-absolute models. They have decent finish, decent slides, must be zeroed (non-absolute). The problem is the Fowlers cost 2x the iGaging. The absolute iGaging are a 8 or 9 to the Mitus but they cost less than 1/2 the Mitus.

 

[ejot]

I have a set with plastic jaws and .**" readout that were literally under $5 shipped. And a set of Mitutoyo. And a number of typical China ones. They all get used, in very different ways. Do I scribe with $20 import calipers. Heck yes I do.

For the niche OP is looking at I have indeed pivoted to dial calipers. Amazing what good vintage stuff is out there for $15-20 at industrial auctions. And have actually come to enjoy the occasional change of pace to analog.

 

[mike93lx]

Do I scribe with $20 import calipers. Heck yes I do.

Blasphemy! You hack

 

[corn chip]

I have been quite happy digital calipers from General tools and Shars. Supposedly Shars was engineered in the US and manufactured overseas to high quality standards. The Shars come recommended to me by machinists but nothing I have done is precise enough to tell a difference.

it seems maybe youve been misled .shars is what you would expect to find in a dollar store. ive seen their stuff first hand and its terrible. i cant imagine any machinist worth a grain of salt recomending them

 

[mike93lx]

it seems maybe youve been misled .shars is what you would expect to find in a dollar store. ive seen their stuff first hand and its terrible. i cant imagine any machinist worth a grain of salt recomending them

We know you think it is garbage.