Micrometers and such

[Hawk231]

I'm looking at buying some outside micrometers and depth micrometers. There's no way I can justify spending the money to get Starrett, B&S or Mitutoyo. Even the used prices on ebay are more than I can afford. So, that leaves me with Fowler and the generic chineses stuff. My understanding is that Fowler specs a product and has it built. Is there any substantial difference between the Fowler spec'd stuff and the generic chineses? I've been browsing Enco and J&L for the last couple days while scratching my head. The Folwer outside micrometers have a resolution of .0001". Can I reasonably expect them to live up to that tolerance?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I went to a MSC tent sale in Atlanta last August. They had several tables of calipers, micrometers and other similar gauges and measuring devices. Being there at 11am on the first day, I figured all the good stuff was gone. I found a rather large wood box with a set of 6 SPI digital micrometers (reads to .0001" and accurate to .0005") complete with the standards, insturctions, etc. The 6" one was acting flakey, would not turn on but for a moment, but I bought the set for $199. Turns out the battery wasn't making good contact in the 6" one and I bent up the contact prong and it now works fine. This set is in the MSC catalog for $899 and was recently on sale for $699.

Point is, the deals are out there, you just have to keep looking. If you get two inch and larger micrometers, you need standards to go with them, so be sure and look for missing parts.

Charles

 

[kartracer55]

I use a fowler rotor mic. at work and it seems to be well made, although I havent actually checked it for accuracy. My one complaint is how the scale is broken up on it. It makes it a little difficult to read at a quick glance and you need to double check yourself to make sure you counted right. Not sure if it is all fowlers or just this particular one.

Here ya go...

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-general-and-reg-micrometer-102--pi-1292868.html

USA made for $27. "General" brand. I have a few of these I keep for "garage" work. Definetly wortht he price. Are they Starrett? No, but they will get you by, no doubt.

 

[-lecroix-]

I am a machinist by trade and the true-blue machinist / tool & die guys will probably flame me for this, but for home use the Harbor Freight stuff is fine. Chances are you won't be doing any machine work any closer than .005 anyway in a home shop, so you should be good with the import stuff.

P.S. I own nothing but Starrett, Browne & Sharp, and Mitutoyo for my machine work metrology ... but have a couple sets of Harbor Freight digital calipers, indicators, and mics in my home tool box for "mechanic-ing."

 

[brianpgriset]

How much you willing to spend? I've got a couple Mitutoyo items off ebay, used, pretty cheap. Infact, almost as cheap as new Fowler stuff. I got a 4 peice outside mic set (1/10,000 res), 1"-4" for only $140. Also a good ol' dial caliper, 6" for $35 shipped.

I mean you can get cheaper, but if you really look and wait a little you can get the good stuff. Thats what I would do.

 

[Jeeper]

How much you willing to spend? I've got a couple Mitutoyo items off ebay, used, pretty cheap. Infact, almost as cheap as new Fowler stuff. I got a 4 peice outside mic set (1/10,000 res), 1"-4" for only $140. Also a good ol' dial caliper, 6" for $35 shipped.

I mean you can get cheaper, but if you really look and wait a little you can get the good stuff. Thats what I would do.

Is the 6" caliper in good shape? I may be interested in it. I need one for setting up a differential. Is it digital or dial?

 

[wilbilt]

I wouldn't worry about using the generic stuff, especially in an environment where it can get banged up. Some of the more expensive tools are coming from Asia these days anyway.

If you really need to work to .0001", check the calibration frequently. Normal temperature fluctuations or the heat from your hand can make a difference at that tolerance.

 

[Hawk231]

I've been watching ebay for about two weeks now. There hasn't been anything come along that was what I want and in my price range. I can get the Fowler 0-6" outside micrometer set for $180. The depth micrometers come in at $66. It sounds like they'll be fine for the limited use that they'll be getting. It's time to pull the trigger.

 

[chevy302dz]

For real percison work I would stick with a trusted brand, for general work when close is all that matters, import stuff is fine.

 

[RAYJAY]

I am a machinist by trade and the true-blue machinist / tool & die guys will probably flame me for this, but for home use the Harbor Freight stuff is fine. Chances are you won't be doing any machine work any closer than .005 anyway in a home shop, so you should be good with the import stuff.

P.S. I own nothing but Starrett, Browne & Sharp, and Mitutoyo for my machine work metrology ... but have a couple sets of Harbor Freight digital calipers, indicators, and mics in my home tool box for "mechanic-ing."

amen on that. same here the harbor freight stuff work great for automotive work and when you drop them you not out much $$$$$$$$$

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have a set in metric that is very good (forgot the name) and a set in SAE from Summit. I don't need them to be that accurate as some of you here. They get the job done when I need them

 

[Jbullfrog]

If you are hunting on E-bay don't be afraid to look outside the normal areas. I found my Mac caliper set 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 inch for $40. I think they were built by Central back in the day. The nice thing is the better mics will come with the standards to calibrate them to. I learned in college how to adjust and set a mic.
The tool truck brands are usually american made if you get an older set and most guys don't abuse mics, so you should be safe with a used set.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Try searching E-bay under "c-clamp set". It's sad what when the people listing an item can't read the included instruction sheet, but you get a bargain.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Try searching E-bay under "c-clamp set". It's sad what when the people listing an item can't read the included instruction sheet, but you get a bargain.

Or simply search for common (or uncommon) mispellings of words. One that comes to mine is to search for hydraulic under its common mis-spelling of Hydrolic. There are usually 60 or 70 listings of all kinds of items using this misspelled word. There are other numerous examples. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how someone planning to sell something on Ebay or anywhere else cannot seem to rough out the ad before hand and make sure all the facts, details, specs, and spelling are correct, but it happens all the time.

My DAKE 25 ton press was listed as a DRAKE 10 ton.

Charles

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Yes the deals are out there. I just did an Ebay search for micrometer and turned up about 1700 items.

One of those, to close in less than two hours is a Swiss made "Vintage Tesa Micrometer Bore Measuring Gauge in Box". Its readily apparent from the pics that this is not a bore gauge, but rather a depth mic set with 5 or 6 extensions extensions, probably to twelve inches or so, all in a wooden case. Two bidders and the current price is only about $20 US (its in OZ but willing to ship anywhere).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Tesa-Mi...0097550103QQcategoryZ4122QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yes, the deals are out there.

Charles

 

[Jeeper]

So I just bought from HF:
1) 6" Digital Caliper
2) Magnetic base
3) 1" machinest dial

I've heard that HF is OK for general automotive work. I plan on redoing the gears in my jeep. Do you all think I'll be good with the machinest dial from HF? Sounds like the digital caliper will be good, but wondering if you all have experience with the dials.

TIA

 

[-lecroix-]

I have two of the Harbor Freight 1" travel indicators for general mechanic work. They work just fine.

Here's a hint for ya .... keep the Styrofoam package it comes in ... throw the box away ... place a piece of duct tape down one side to make a hinge ... when not using the indicator, place it back in the Styrofoam for damage free storage.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Here are some of my finer measuring equipment

Somet 0-25mm mic
Somet 25-50mm mic
Bocchi Slide Caliper
Comp Cam's dial indicator
Travia dial indicator magnetic stand
Summit 0-1" mic
Summit 1"-2" mic
Summit 2"-3" mic