Looking for suggestions for Micrometer....

[bt_guy]

I have gone through 3 Amazon and HF Micrometer's and looking for a decent one.

They seem to always have no battery power left when I grab them or the buttons stop working. The $20 digital ones are always junk.

I am not a machinist I just need something in metric and English that can measure small parts. I'd say 4-6". I'd preferred a digital one, so it can convert units, but at this point I just want something that works when I reach for it, which is not very often.

Any suggestion for under $100?

 

[tdkkart]

I use this one nearly every time I'm in my shop, had it for a couple years, never changed the battery.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJ6DRDG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[glend123]

If you mean a caliper, then, Mitutoyo solar powered is what I have. Been using it for 15 years or so. It's probably at your upper level of your budget, but worth it.

 

[Pontiac787]

I just purchased an Igaging 6” digital caliper based on numerous positive reviews. $30-$50 depending on the model on the model.

 

[WisJim]

We've been using an Igaging for a few years and like it. Battery lasts a long time and are readily available cheaply. Certainly is convenient to read English or metric as desired

 

[Sweetcorn]

Micrometers and calipers aren't the same thing. I get the feeling that you're looking for calipers, though.

If it is calipers you're after, Mitutoyo digital 0-6" aka 0-150mm can be found brand new easily for under $100. Watch out for scams on eBay, they seem to be one of the most commonly scammed items.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I would search Facebook marketplace or Ebay for a used dial Mitutoyo caliper. I have two used ones and they're smooth as silk and no batteries to worry about. It takes about a second to read.

 

[driz]

I have gone through 3 Amazon and HF Micrometer's and looking for a decent one.

They seem to always have no battery power left when I grab them or the buttons stop working. The $20 digital ones are always junk.

I am not a machinist I just need something in metric and English that can measure small parts. I'd say 4-6". I'd preferred a digital one, so it can convert units, but at this point I just want something that works when I reach for it, which is not very often.

Any suggestion for under $100?

I’ve been using my junk HF micrometer almost daily for 5 years. Good Nuff for about anything in my shop and I won’t cry if I drop and break it. It cost me $10 on sale. They sell 3 different styles. I looked at the one with the multi colored buttons and it doesn’t have all the functions that the one with the plain Gray buttons does.
Mine gets used for mostly sizing bolts, holes taps ect. for size in decimal vs fraction ,metric vs SAE and similar tasks. I often tab through the sizings and roll slowly back and forth to figure things out often. It’s exceptional for that type of use . Mine turns on when you move the slide and I think it even turns itself off eventually. I’m on battery #3 in 5 years about a buck each.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bob15]

I will be in the minority crowd and say to get a Starrett 120A-6 dial-type calipers. They have no batteries to fail on you.

 

[Maui]

The Starrett calipers are excellent. And you don’t have to replace any batteries as Bob mentioned above. Mitutoyo calipers as mentioned above are also excellent. If you want to go digital, the Harbor Fright calipers are a surprisingly accurate and well built product for an amazingly low price. I own all three.

Maui

 

[Sweetcorn]

I will be in the minority crowd and say to get a Starrett 120A-6 dial-type calipers. They have no batteries to fail on you.

Batteries are cheap. Buy a multi pack and leave them in the drawer with the calipers.

He's not a machinist so he probably doesn't do conversions all day. If it's not second nature to you and something you do regularly, it's easier to just go with digitals.

I personally prefer dials, but I bet I have a dozen sets (at least) of various calipers so I can see the benefits of both.

 

[jimkinney]

I agree with the dial caliper suggestions. I have 30-40 year old Mitutoyo's that still work flawlessly.
Here is my only Starrett. I have no idea how old it is, my grandfather carried it in his pocket as far back as I can remember.

 

[txvwnut]

Dial or a vernier, no batteries needed. Look on eBay for a used brand name one.

 

[matt_i]

I will be in the minority crowd and say to get a Starrett 120A-6 dial-type calipers. They have no batteries to fail on you.

That would be my suggestion. Will always be ready to go. Calculator on smartphone for 25.4 metric conversions.

 

[exmaxima1]

Dial or a vernier, no batteries needed. Look on eBay for a used brand name one.

I pulled out an old Craftsman vernier caliper a few weeks ago because the battery was dead in my digital and my buddy (a mechanical engineer) said to throw it away. He couldn't remember how to read the vernier, and while I knew how my eyes were the limiting parameter. He brought me a few batteries later that week. Vernier ANYTHING is obsolete when your eyes get old.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I picked up a large magnifying lens and light for the bench as a joke for my dad. I then decided to learn how to read a vernier caliper and had to use the magnifying glass. My eyes are in good shape but vernier calipers are hard to read.

 

[Pwaley]

Mitutoyo's solar Absolute Super IP67 caliper or bust. MADE IN JAPAN!

 

[MJK]

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 gets my vote.

Make sure you don't get a knockoff, as it is very easy to do from Amazon/eBay. They are fantastic calipers, the batteries last years, and the case holds extras.

 

[will335i]

Another vote for Mitutoyo 500-196-30. I got mine last summer and use it a ton dialing in my 3D printer. I grabbed it when Zoro had 20% off. Still on the battery is shipped with.

 

[bt_guy]

Thanks for all the replies, that gives me some ideas.

I actually took drafting in HS and remember how to read a Verneer, although I doubt I trust my eyes like I used to look at those little lines on the scale

Nothing I need to measure is or that scale anyway, but the more I think about it, a big digital screen is probably a good idea.

 

[macgee]

I think OP first needs to tell us if he needs a Micrometer or a Caliper? Two different levels of beasts.

Strongly recommend to pass on any used ones, it will be your absolute reference in your shop, what's the point saving a couple of bucks on one that could be worn out and not give accurate/reliable information?

I'm going to bet OP is looking for a digital caliper and not a micrometer which is needed for finer more critical measurements than a caliper.

I too second Mitutoyo calipers but they're pricey and probably above the OP's needs. I would avoid the analog calipers, theyre reliable and work great but now a days its nice to read metric and quickly convert/compare to imperial which is waaay easier with a digital caliper.

You can find new digital ones on Amazon for around $25 and less that can could work totally fine but its also a total gamble on getting a bad one or good one, I've too gone through these. One has been measuring very accurately and routinely checked it with my Starrett Webber blocks. I've had others arrive way off, these cheap ones routinely have bad inside measurement jaws, I guess they don't really care about those as much as the outside jaws. I also own Tesa, Starrett and Mitutoyo calipers but I use the cheaper calipers as my dailies, for less critical use which is the majority of the time unless I'm on the mill or lathe.

Igaging makes two versions, to be safe and a good hedge between the very pricey Mitutoyo/Starretts/Tesa versions and the cheap $20 gamble is to buy the Absolute version:

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-ABSOLUTE-Digital-Electronic-Caliper/dp/B00INL0BTS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3CLE5YSWCJQY7&dchild=1&keywords=igaging+digital+caliper&qid=1614114543&sprefix=imaging%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-2

Skip the fraction version, that option is pretty worthless on a digital caliper unless of course you routinely like working in 1/128"


PS> Get yourself a large Starrett poster chart of decimal to fraction conversions for the shop and where you'll be standing near where you'll be using the caliper.

 

[Gunfixr]

I'm assuming you want calipers, as you mention sizes of 4"-6". Micrometers only measure 1" at a time, you'll not get all the ones you'd need to reach 4", much less 6" within $100.
For dial calipers, they make both inch and metric, and cheap enough you might get both inside your budget. Just make sure of which one you're picking up.
Digital switch back and forth obviously.
Might as well get the 6".
Mitutoyo or starrett. It's a precision meauring tool, some things just can't be cheaped out on.
The chart for the wall is a good idea, especially if you're not used to decimal to fraction, or metric to inch conversion.

 

[toddmorr]

i like my Igaging. Not a machinist but surprising how often I use it. I like the ability to switch it back and forth between metric and inches with a simple button. No issue with the battery at 3+ yrs old.

 

[seber]

A decent digital caliper will cost at least $100. Anything cheaper is going to disappoint you. Dial calipers on the other hand can be very good at the $20 point if you shop carefully. If you need inch and metric, just buy both.

 

[DIY_Guy79]

I have gone through 3 Amazon and HF Micrometer's and looking for a decent one.

They seem to always have no battery power left when I grab them or the buttons stop working. The $20 digital ones are always junk.

I am not a machinist I just need something in metric and English that can measure small parts. I'd say 4-6". I'd preferred a digital one, so it can convert units, but at this point I just want something that works when I reach for it, which is not very often.

Any suggestion for under $100?

I highly recommend going with something from Igaging. I recently bought their Digital 6" Calipers, the EZCal, for $29.99.. And They are very impressive and surprising for the money. And spot on perfectly calibrated. If their micrometers are anywhere in the ballpark with their calipers, it should be an excellent choice.

Looks like they have a few to choose from on Amazon. These are $40:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087TMUQ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Edit: Apparently some think you may mean Digital Calipers, rather than micrometer. If thats the case, go with the Igaging hands down, unless you're going to drop some serious cash on some Mitutoyos. Igagings are here:

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

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Only buy a new Mitutoyo from a serious machinist supplier NOT Amazon . They are expensive but worth every penny. Counterfeits are very, very, common. If I was you, I would just buy an IGaging or some such, and a pack of batteries.

 

[bt_guy]

Thanks for all the replies. I did mean digital calipers.

I went to school for drafting, and do remember how to read a verneer, but my eye prefer a digital read out these days

Ill go through the suggestions, wish I hadn't just missed the Zoro sale.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I will be in the minority crowd and say to get a Starrett 120A-6 dial-type calipers. They have no batteries to fail on you.

Have you ever used a Mitutoyo digital? The batteries last forever.

 

[Bradc1989]

Mitutoyo for all precision measuring tool in my opinion. Just got a ip67 supercaliper, battery-less, absolute encoder that they claim will never lose position no matter how long it’s powered off

 

[txvwnut]

Have you ever used a Mitutoyo digital? The batteries last forever.

But the caliper won’t. The reason I went back to a vernier is my 30 year old mit digital lost calibration some how. The bigger you measure the more off it reads, it was gaining something like thirty thou for every inch past an inch and a half.

 

[Ralf11]

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 gets my vote.

Make sure you don't get a knockoff, as it is very easy to do from Amazon/eBay. They are fantastic calipers, the batteries last years, and the case holds extras.

How do you check to be sure it's a real Mitutoyo?

 

[californiaHank]

Simple. Buy from an authorized distributor.
Pretty much every reputable national supply house for tools and industrial supplies is an authorized Mitutoyo dealer - McMaster Carr, MSC, Zoro, etc., etc.

If you visit the Mitutoyo web site and put in your zip code, you'll get a long list of local and national dealers: https://www.mitutoyo.com/distributor-locator

 

[bob15]

Have you ever used a Mitutoyo digital? The batteries last forever.

Yup. At my old job we had their calipers and their 0-1" micrometer and yes they batteries do last awhile. But my Starrett micrometers and caliper's batteries last forever. I also prefer reading the dial for many items.

 

[VR6ix]

If you're ok reading dial calipers I'd recommend looking at Accusize dual-unit dial calipers from Amazon or whereever else. I bought the 6" ones and later got the 8" ones as well. $44 for 6" or $58 for the 8" - sure they're not premium but they're well made and not junk.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQTDC1S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

It was over 25 years now, but I bought a couple of $20 Chinese dial calipers for work and home. The one for home ,my Lab thought it it might be a toy as seen she saw me using it and tried to see if it would squeak . I replaced it with a Starrett. I like the Chinese one better.

 

[Gunfixr]

I was a machinist for 21yrs, a gunsmith professionally over 10yrs.
Started with Browne & Sharpe dial 6" calipers in the late 80s. Somewhere in the early 90s, picked up a cheap 8" dial for backup/home use. A year or two later, picked up a mitutoyo 12" digital caliper. In the early 2000s I picked up a 6" mitutoyo digital used from a co-worker.
I've put 2 batteries in the 12", and 1 in the 6", using them constantly.
Still have all 4 caliper sets.

 

[MJK]

How do you check to be sure it's a real Mitutoyo?

Buy from somewhere more reliable than Amazon/eBay. MSC or similar.

 

[macgee]

No matter what caliper you buy, you should buy a good gage block to check it occasionally.

I keep a .1004", .350" and 1.00" gage block in my caliper drawer to keep my calipers honest, especially the cheap ones.

I have a cheapy $25 digital caliper that's actually been holding up well with daily use after two years but they do wear out quickly and had other cheapies not measure well out of the box. having the gage blocks really helps

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I have a Starrett 6" dial caliper and a Mitutoyo 6" digital caliper. Love and use them both regularly but the Starrett get a wee bit more use. I agree with macgee about having something that you can occasionally verify they are hitting the measure.

 

[JeepJohn62]

Accusize is a good quality unit. Amazon works or check out Littlemachineshop.com.

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