Best Buy in Quality Digital Caliper

South Pender

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What do you guys recommend for a good quality digital caliper? I don't want to break the bank, but want to avoid cheap stuff. How high do you have to go to get to really good quality?
 
Most of them are made in the same factory and then a company slaps their name on them.. All the common ones at least.

I've been using a set of Mastercraft for a few years now and they measure the same everytime. Although they just started getting a bit worn and sloppy so they will be replaced very soon...
 
They come on sale at Canadian Tire, usually for a really good price. Not what I'd call top quality but plenty accrurate for reloading purposes. I've been using them for a few years with no issues
 
They come on sale at Canadian Tire, usually for a really good price. Not what I'd call top quality but plenty accrurate for reloading purposes. I've been using them for a few years with no issues

That's the thing, I don't get why would someone pay 200$ for a set of calipers, to notice that you have an 18 thou jump instead of a 20 thou jump that was read with cheaper caliper.
In reloading I just don't see how a thou in OAL or many other measures (still got a tube mic for necks) would make a significant difference.
 
Calipers are an interesting topic. You will get a wide range of opinions. I personally only use Mitutoyo tools. They are good quality but not cheap. I have had CT calipers but do not have a good solid positive feel. They also had a bit of a gritty feel to them. 12 inch mitutoyo calipers can be had for 140 to 150 shipped.
 
There’s some good stainless digital calipers for sale on Amazon for $14. Perfect for reloading and other general measurements.

If you want to be finicky, then get a set of micrometers. That’s will cost you though. Mitutoyu or Starrett.
 
I started my apprenticeship in1972 and I bought Starrette.....Starrette served me thru 40 yrs as a millwright/machinist...I sold of most after I retired but to this day still use Starrette in any thing that relates to reloading. I have never replaced a single item...to this day they still measures true.
 
If you must go cheap, get a 6 inch dial caliper. They actually work very well with respectable longevity.

Do not, just do not waste your money on the cheapest digital calipers. They are garbage. I use precision measuring tools daily for the last 25 years. Trust me on this.
 
bertn, you must be almost as smart, good looking and modest as I am. :evil:

Haha, I replaced my canadian tire one with the iGaging after seeing the youtube video you posted and have not regretted it for one second, its so much better.
I have to admit I have no personal experience with high end calipers but this fits the bill for what I need them for.
 
I've worked in the metrology biz for a long time. I have 2 canadian tire calipers and a 1-2-3 gauge block. One caliper isn't so good, the other is dead nuts. Expensive calipers are definitely nicer to use but are not necessarily more accurate. As with ANY measurement device- you need to check it against a known reference regularly. Even the most expensive measurement devices can go bad.
 
Much prefer a dial caliper to a digital one. We had a set at work that would jump 0.200" (Yes, 200 thou) randomly for no reason. If it had been out 0.020" we might not have known it until the annual calibration. Nope, dial calipers for me.
 
Another benefit of quality measuring tools (mitutoyo, starrett) is battery life, the cheap ones go through batteries much faster. You can get a good dial caliper from both of the above for well under $200 which I would take any day over Canadian tire.

I have many mitutoyo and starrett tools that have been in perfect service for years.

Another excellent choice for quality calipers is Browne and Sharp.
 
I've worked in the metrology biz for a long time. I have 2 canadian tire calipers and a 1-2-3 gauge block. One caliper isn't so good, the other is dead nuts. Expensive calipers are definitely nicer to use but are not necessarily more accurate. As with ANY measurement device- you need to check it against a known reference regularly. Even the most expensive measurement devices can go bad.
That's interesting. Can you explain what a 1-2-3 gauge block is? I'm assuming that it is a device for checking the accuracy of your measuring instruments, but that's just a guess. How does it work, and is this the best reference standard for a caliper or micrometer?
 
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