Best Buy in Quality Digital Caliper

I have gone through 2 digital sets. First one was a no name set from Lee valley ~$40 they were great and were accurate to the ref block, the electronics died thou. I then heard about the CDN Tire set and pick them up dirt cheap. They are garbage, sloppy, they flex and read different each day. I got a set of Mitutoyo. What a difference in feel and repeatability over both my previous sets. I am very happy with them so far but make sure you get them from a good source as there are tons of fakes out there.
 
Ill say what others have said, Mitutoyo. My dad got a pair back in the 1980s he let me have. They are a little loose, but still are true and still work perfect. Batteries are replaced once every 5-10 years. For the $200 they cost, you wont regret it.
 
I have used Mitutoyo for a number of years. No reason to change.
If I need more precision for smaller measurements, then I use a
Vernier Micrometer [Mine reads to .00001"] D.
 
tbhupe said:
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.
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Some calipers, even the non coolant proof mitutoyo’s, will slip if you get a bit of oil along the ways. Even hands being too sweaty can throw them off.
 
South Pender said:
Thanks for that explanation. Is there a better device for checking calipers and micrometers?
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You can get what is known as a "standard" in 1", 2" +++ or 25mm, 50mm, ++++ These are ground to precise length, and can be used for caliper or micrometers.
Most have an insulating sleeve around them so body heat is not quickly transferred to them, since they "grow" if warmed. Dave.
 
Most cheaper verniers would be good enough for reloading. If you want quaility for cheap, just get a good quality vernier scale or dial caliper. The biggest factor in any measuring device will be the person using them. Cheaper tools usually flex more than the quality tools, too much finger pressure will throw your measurements off. Consistency with finger pressures and developing a good feel for properly aligning your vernier to what you are measuring will be your biggest factor. You can have 3 different people use the same vernier to measure the same part and have 3 different measurements.
 
Dial caliper all the way for me.
Had too many digitals mess up.
Stick to Starrett, Brown and Sharpe, Tesa, Mitutoyo and they should last several decades when it comes to reloading.
Lower end stuff would be Fowler, TTC house brand from Travers, Asimeto is also a good compromise.
 
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Awkward truth, but consistency of measurement is what matters in reloading, not the absolute precision of measurement. I have a set of CT calipers that are just as consistent as my mitutoyo calipers and micrometer.
 
mine aren't
I mean I have a CT $12 (on sale) digital caliper and the measurement is, at times, a bit off while the Mitutoyo always agrees with the micrometer
 
MartyK2500 said:
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.
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You use them for more then just reloading.
 
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