Calipers,,Digital or Mechanical

[johnnyreb65]

Which is better. The guy salesman at un-named gun store told me not to buy a digital caliper as they screw up if tightened too much. ( they don't carry digital calipers). I purchased a Lyman stainless but I have trouble reading it ( poor eyesight..WAS I had and should I return it..I'm thinking of buying a Mastercraft digital from Crappy tire,,,what do you guys think.

 

[RPM]

GO ahead and get a digital caliper. The mitutoyo or other high end units are probably not required for reloading.
I still have an old vernier caliper somewhere, it never gets used anymore.

 

[Cerdan]

I'm old school. I like my callipers the same as my watches: ANALOG!

I agree with your salesman that, in theory, there's a greater risk of something going wrong with a digital device than with a mechanical one. In reality though, I don't think it makes much difference.

 

[blindman]

Both work, it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[604shooter]

The Canadian Tire digital calipers work well and they're on sale right now for 15 bucks.

 

[vondnik]

Never use a digital caliper where any sort of liquids are present... yes even the "coolant proof" ones..... I prefer the dial calipers personnaly as I've been screwed by digital misreading to often to thrust them completely. Buy a good one and never worry about it... I've been using my 4 dial mitutoyos for over 13 years as a toolmaker... no digital passed recalibration after 3 years of use

 

[gallen270]

The Canadian Tire digital calipers work well and they're on sale right now for 15 bucks.

x2! i got one yesterday, and it works great.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I have both the crappy tire digital and a Mitutoyo dial caliper. I would only trust the Mitutoyo dial caliper. I'm not saying you can't get good readings off the cheap digital,but that I simply don't trust it. I close the caliper every time I make a measurement and check the zero. I don't have any fear of something going wonky with a good dial caliper when I move from one object to another and make a comparison. That said, the digital is a lot faster for some jobs, as you can zero it on an object then measure only the change in reading when you rotate an object or measure some other spot on it. IE, using it something like a dial indicator might be used.

 

[maynard]

If you make a living with them buy Mitutoyo, for a reloading bench the cheap CT ones for $15 will do the job.

 

[Holleyman]

I have a Starrett digital and a Mitutoyo dial, I find the dial quicker and easier to read for some reason. The dial vernier gets way more use on my bench. It, like many other things regarding firearms, comes down to what you are used to and what you are comfortable with.

 

[Ganderite]

I have all three. One for each desk where I play with toys. I can still read the vernier, but My eyse don't focus so well up close.

I don't trust the digital, but I really, really like the dial. I think it is the best compromise.

One of the common uses is to see if a box of bullets is 308 or 310. No time for a digital boo boo.

 

[chappy]

i have both. use the digital one cause its easier to read.

 

[gpracer]

Never use a digital caliper where any sort of liquids are present... yes even the "coolant proof" ones..... I prefer the dial calipers personnaly as I've been screwed by digital misreading to often to thrust them completely. Buy a good one and never worry about it... I've been using my 4 dial mitutoyos for over 13 years as a toolmaker... no digital passed recalibration after 3 years of use[/QUOTE

I Concur..

As an auto technician I have both, the cheap digital ones I keep at work, my good dial caliper (Mac Tools) is at home on the reloading bench...

 

[rattle]

I have both Mitutoyo dial and a Mastercraft digital. I use / trust the Mitutoyo more.

 

[acrashb]

I keep an old-fashioned vernier around in case of battery failure - but digital (Mitutoyo) is much faster and easy to zero-set than any vernier or dial caliper.

 

[350tracker]

I used digital for reloading and at work for years without any problems...

 

[Lorne]

I use digital al the time with no problems

 

[johnnyreb65]

You guys are the best

604shooter,

thanks for the heads up on the digital, went down to Crappy Tire and picked one up. Now the big question should I keep both or return the Lyman analog?

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

I have a Starrett digital and a Mitutoyo dial, I find the dial quicker and easier to read for some reason. The dial vernier gets way more use on my bench. It, like many other things regarding firearms, comes down to what you are used to and what you are comfortable with.

Thats weird, I have the Starrett dial and the Mitutoyo digital, but like you find the dial fast and simple, so use it for most things.

 

[blindman]

You guys are the best

604shooter,

thanks for the heads up on the digital, went down to Crappy Tire and picked one up. Now the big question should I keep both or return the Lyman analog?

Keep both. I have both, I tend to use the digital more, but as mentioned before, they don't seem to last more than a few years. For $15.00 who cares! They work and are cheap to replace.