matt_i
Well-known member
I roll with 2 versions.
The plastic SPI calipers which cost around $20 and Starrett dials for other stuff.
The digitals are good but mine died and I just wanted a battery-free version.
The SPI are cheap enough I don't feel bad carrying them into situations where I wouldn't take the other one...metal calipers particularly don't like to fall to the floor....also they are cheap enough that I can afford a metric version
.
Part of the issue is knowing which tool to use when, as mentioned, like when you really care, you should be using a mic or a telescoping gage. Calipers are designed for speed and "close enough". Classic case: if I was making a shaft to fit a bearing on the lathe I'd never use a caliper, its way too iffy to get a .0005" fit. The micrometer would be my tool of choice both for measuring the bore (probably tabulated though) and the shaft.
The plastic SPI calipers which cost around $20 and Starrett dials for other stuff.
The digitals are good but mine died and I just wanted a battery-free version.
The SPI are cheap enough I don't feel bad carrying them into situations where I wouldn't take the other one...metal calipers particularly don't like to fall to the floor....also they are cheap enough that I can afford a metric version
.Part of the issue is knowing which tool to use when, as mentioned, like when you really care, you should be using a mic or a telescoping gage. Calipers are designed for speed and "close enough". Classic case: if I was making a shaft to fit a bearing on the lathe I'd never use a caliper, its way too iffy to get a .0005" fit. The micrometer would be my tool of choice both for measuring the bore (probably tabulated though) and the shaft.