Digital Calipers?

[STANG KILLA SS]

say $25-$35

i have a set of the harbor freight plastic digital calipers, but i dont trust them. they always seem to be off.

any suggestions?

 

[Calderwood]

say $25-$35

i have a set of the harbor freight plastic digital calipers, but i dont trust them. they always seem to be off.

any suggestions?

Make sure they are hardened stainless.

 

[offroadace]

Amazon - Neiko Stainless Steel 8 Inch Digital Caliper with Large Display - SAE/Metric Conversion

Neiko Stainless Steel 8 Inch Digital Caliper with Large Display - SAE/Metric Conversion - Amazon.com

 

[bob1961]

I have a set that looks just like those, paid 15/20 bucks "thumbsup" ....

 

[jason]

Those look exactly like the harbor freight ones.

 

[tom@vp]

Mitutoyo, Starret, Brown and Sharp, Tesa, are good for general reference measurement. and there a few other brands but they are higher price.

if you can inspect before you buy, bring a gage block, and measure the whole length of the caliper, and see how spongy they are from inside to the tip, every time i have touched the off brands they vary too much,

also cycle them and recheck repeatability.

 

[offroadace]

They will all probably look the same, but I've had the HF ones (I think they were 'Pittsburgh' brand) and they were crap. The battery died every month or so or don't zero out properly.

No problems with this set yet. Had them for about a year now and they are spot on and the battery is excellent and zero out when requested.
But then again, you can't really expect much for $25 when precision ones can run over $200.

 

[Lentsnh2012]

I bought some "rare" digital calipers from RadioShack a few weeks ago and they are pretty accurate and zero out pretty consistently.

RadioShack Electronic Digital Caliper : Digital Calipers | RadioShack.com

 

[Del Monte]

you can find SPI digital calipers on sale for around $40. They're nowhere near as nice as a professional set, but they are a lot better than harbor freight level stuff

EDIT:
having said that, just invest in a nice set and be done with it. Any of the brands Tom listed will last a lifetime if you take care of them.

 

[Postclanker]

I have some HF calipers ...but they are metal and digital....I think Payed $7.50 for it....they work great

 

[BigSki]

Buy a nice set of MANUAL calipers and learn how to count! "thumbsup"

 

[WValtakis2]

Buy a nice set of MANUAL calipers and learn how to count! "thumbsup"

I gave up counting and calculating on vernier calipers years ago, but I do fine with a set of Starrett dial calipers in metric and standard. Zero perfectly every time and I've never had to change a battery :wink:

~Chip

 

[wings_of_fire]

It depends on the precision you want to work with.
First define what will be the max precision you will be ever working with those calipers that you buy.
I agree that you might feel you should get the best precision, but then you will also have to shell out more money. Measuring instruments are a one time investment and they are the ones that will define your work output. Never ever go for the cheap ones! They are a bargain for trouble, rework and more money that gets lost over time without notice.
Regarding measuring instruments think this way - I won't save money buying them but I will work a little bit harder to pay for the quality instruments. And trust me, better quality products repay you much more than their value in their life time.

Tom@VP has given excellent info.

 

[kincer]

I have a set of Hornady calipers my father in law got me for xmas, don't know how much he paid but they work great and look exactly like the Harbor freight stainless ones.

Sent from the RAZR's edge

 

[wings_of_fire]

Also check this link. It has good info regarding the working of a caliper.

Figure 1 Multiplate Electrodes

 

[KJ10]

Mitutoyo for Calipers, Starrett for micrometers. But, I have to be pickier than most. I use them all day, at least 5 days a week. The metal that Starrett uses for their calipers is too soft, imo. I've had my 6" Mitutoyo dial calipers for over 10 years and they are still perfect, even after dinging the tips against countless objects over the years. My 12" coolant-proof digital set aren't as old but, still seem to be made of very good metal. The battery lasts more than a year. I've only put two in it in 3 years.

 

[wings_of_fire]

Yes Mitutoyo is the best in my experience.
One interesting thing about Mitutoyo manufacturing plant is that their whole plant is built on a platform. Every morning they balance the whole manufacturing plant in relation to the earths center of gravity. The earths center of gravity changes every day....

 

[FastEddy]

Mitutoyo, Starret, Brown and Sharp, Tesa, are good for general reference measurement. and there a few other brands but they are higher price.

if you can inspect before you buy, bring a gage block, and measure the whole length of the caliper, and see how spongy they are from inside to the tip, every time i have touched the off brands they vary too much,

also cycle them and recheck repeatability.

Come on TOM!!
Your telling us that after all this time you cant just eyeball it?
Maybe you need to trade jobs with Steve

 

[tom@vp]

Come on TOM!!
Your telling us that after all this time you cant just eyeball it?
Maybe you need to trade jobs with Steve

I can when we use the zeiss

 

[Calderwood]

I can when we use the zeiss

:shock: What do you guys do besides VP?