Snap On Micrometers

[Edinnj]

I need to buy a set of outside micrometers, probably from snap on and was wondering if anyone has any experience using them and if they are good quality. Open to suggestions if anyone knows better brands, not too concerned with price going to need them for years.
Ed

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

not too concerned with price

Wish I had that problem...

 

[Kirbot]

I don't have any experience with the Snap-On micrometers.
But I would prefer to buy machinist tools from a company that specializes in machinist tools.

Starrett, or Mitutoyo for example.

 

[bgott]

www.use-enco.com

www.travers.com

If you need to make payments, use Snap-on for your machinist type tools. If you can pay cash or have a credit card there are better deals out there.

 

[StinkyBunny]

I don't have any experience with the Snap-On micrometers.
But I would prefer to buy machinist tools from a company that specializes in machinist tools.

Starrett, or Mitutoyo for example.

I've had Starrett and Multutoyo for 20+ years. I had my Snap On mics for about 5 before I warrantied them and promptly sold them. I think those 2 tools are the reason my box has VERY few Snap On tools in it.

 

[welderwink]

I don't have any experience with the Snap-On micrometers.
But I would prefer to buy machinist tools from a company that specializes in machinist tools.

Starrett, or Mitutoyo for example.

...........+1

 

[nissan_crawler]

I don't have any experience with the Snap-On micrometers.
But I would prefer to buy machinist tools from a company that specializes in machinist tools.

Starrett, or Mitutoyo for example.

What this guy said. Would you hire an electrician to install a toilet?

 

[Simplespeed]

Being somewhat young, iv only used digital. Is digital better? Im also in the market for a mic.

 

[Edinnj]

Thanks guys going to go with either Starrett or Mitutoyo now just cant decide which. Only thought about snap on because its convenient for me and I know he has them on the truck.

 

[Kirbot]

Being somewhat young, iv only used digital. Is digital better? Im also in the market for a mic.

Faster to read, not necessarily better.

To many people don't know how to read a standard micrometer imho

 

[gorilla]

Buy micrometers made by Brown & Sharp, Starrett or Mitutoyo. Buy your screwdrivers from Snap-On.

 

[Kirbot]

Buy micrometers made by Brown & Sharp, Starrett or Mitutoyo. Buy your screwdrivers from Snap-On.

Exactly
Though I don't think too much of Brown & Sharpe anymore...

 

[american lockpicker]

http://www.brownandsharpe.com/

 

[Elroy]

Grainger currently has select Mitutoyo on clearance at rather attractive prices :

Anyways Elroy scored this little jewel

For the astronomical price of $19.74 plus tax of course

Japanese, Not a Taiwan copy or worse a Chinese rip off

Now there are a few features here that help reduce the price. First off you'll notice it lacks a spindle lock. In addition it's a fixed, solid spindle with-out a friction or ratchet clutch. That simply requires a good touch by the operator. A ratchet could be added

The most important features such as carbide faces AND 1/10 (.0001) "very near" are present.

The selection at Grainger is getting thin but there are still some deals to be had.

 

[Kirbot]

I never use a ratchet or friction collar.
But the spindle lock is nice to have.

Although.... For that price I could live without that feature.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Being somewhat young, iv only used digital. Is digital better? Im also in the market for a mic.

In my humble opinion digital is better only if you want some knucklehead to steal your micrometers. Most common tool thieves can't read the older analog ones. Just remember Quarters, Dimes, Nickles and Pennies.

 

[Cantause]

I would also go for a machinist brand, if Snap-On works the same way as european brand do, they just rebadge products and sell them for a lot of $$$.
I like mitutoyo, but there are other very good companies...

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0755.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0755.jpg" border="0" alt="Mitutoyo micrometer"></a>

Being somewhat young, iv only used digital. Is digital better? Im also in the market for a mic.

As usual, it depends of which digital and which analog
...
If you compare 2 Mitutoyo (for example) micrometers, then in term of accuracy, yes digital will probably be better. Between 0 and 100 mm their digital serie is "accurate" (I don't know which K is used in the standard) at +- 1mic, their analog at +-2mics.
The good point for the digital is that the reading resolution, according that the reading measurement system is accurate (here part of the +-1 mic), is of 1 mic. Analog type have thimble graduated by 0,01 increment, if you want to go to the mic they use a vernier scale, it's easier to make a mistake reading it (even if you shouldn't) than with a numerical display, this add uncertainity to the measurement.

BUT, you should first know which accuracy (and idealy certainty) you need on your measurement (please don't say 0,001mm ), then take something of good quality that can handle it and maybe save money for some calibrations.
Analog have the advantage to never run out of batteries, even if good digitals are sobers, it sometime happens...
I'm equiped with all digitals, but it took me time and money (still do with calibrations) but if I had the money for only one good digital, I would buy a set of analog for the same price.

Big bad Jon is right in a way, buy some Starret or Mitutoyo analogs for mesurements and a HF digital to protect them from thieves

 

[Vinko]

Don't buy the SO brands. Go OEM. Any of the suggestions above.

 

[Vinko]

Wish I had that problem...

Thankfully you have Harbor Freight

 

[mrholeshot]

Buy micrometers made by Brown & Sharp, Starrett or Mitutoyo. Buy your screwdrivers from Snap-On.

+1...........

 

[Flange]

Originally Posted by gorilla
Buy micrometers made by Brown & Sharp, Starrett or Mitutoyo. Buy your screwdrivers from Snap-On.

Anoter vote for this advice. In the UK we have another well respected brand called Moore and Wright. Don't know if they are available in the US but they are of similar quality and pedigree to the others mentioned here.

 

[JayL]

Are these the Snap On micrometers being discussed here?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1135&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

tks

 

[bsaint]

Starrett because they are made in Massachusetts like me.

(They are also top quality)

 

[Skyline]

I have a set of the Snap-on mikes, and they seem perfectly good. I wonder who makes them. I highly doubt they are made by Snappy.

 

[Chadro]

I've never seen a true set of Snap-On micrometers, it's always Blue Point that I see.

 

[toolmaker1]

Use my Mitutoyo's all day every day. I have had them for almost 20 years and no problems at all. I did upgrade to digital ought to one's several years back and you can't beat them for quick measurments and ease of use. Also Starrett is a very good brand and USA if that is what you are looking for but a bit more spendy and only equal quailty and no better I would say. Definatelly stay away from this type of item from the truck brands unless you need the credit because they are just re-brands avalible elsewhere for less.

How often will you need them? That will have some bearing on the amount you need to spend.

 

[david-h]

Shop ebay for starrett or mitutoyo, there are great deals to had on both.

 

[Roots]

Buy micrometers made by Brown & Sharp, Starrett or Mitutoyo. Buy your screwdrivers from Snap-On.

+1 Highly specialized tools, should almost always be purchased from highly specialized companies.

Snap On makes great sockets, wenches, pliers, drivers, and other hand tools.

Thomas and Betts makes great electrical tools.

Starrett makes great precision tools.

Shop ebay for starrett or mitutoyo, there are great
deals to had on both.

While there are great deals to be had used via Ebay or CL, I'd be a bit leery if you're doing work where accuracy is essential. The cost of having it calibrated could far exceed any savings. Plus, it's quite common for ones that fail, to find there way to Ebay to reclaim some value... especially, since a large number of uses won't notice minor deviations.

 

[JayL]

I have a set of the Snap-on mikes, and they seem perfectly good. I wonder who makes them. I highly doubt they are made by Snappy.

Which set do you have? Any link?

tks

 

[Simplespeed]

Anyone use a vernier caliper at all? I prefer to use them because they are easier to fit between the rotor and dust shield.

Same brands i assume make quality vernier calipers? I use one every day.

 

[klhitman]

like elroy said grainger has a few on clearance i got mine for 32 bucks and it retails for 110. and it has the lock and a ratchet in a satin finish

check them out
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/hand-tools/ecatalog/N-biaZ1z0r4jpZ1z13o1f