digital calipers what is a good choice

If you want to accurately and repeatably measure to .001" for decades, don't compromise on quality, get Mitutoyo or Starrett.
Those plastic vernier calipers from Cambodian Tire might actually be accurrate, but the thermal expansion rate is different than metal.
Even different metals have different expansion rates, but I digress...
You don't really need to measure components at the ICAO standard temperature, just at a consistent temperature.
And plastic calipers will wear out way faster than metal ones...
 
hound2013 said:
im looking to buy a new digital caliper ,what is a good choice ???? i got the mastercraft one sometimes i get a good reading then the next time its out of whack ///// really cant trust it anymore trying to do col its just not accurate can you guys give me some ideas ?????? thanks hound 13
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buy a dial one and learn to read it.
 
I have a Mititoyu dial and a crappy tire digital. They read within .0005" in the range that I have been using them, from .3" to .45". Any critical measurements I use a micrometer. The CT sits on my bench and gets used quite a bit. I have a calibration block with 3 steps on it: .255", .355", and .455". I check my calipers quite regularly on the calibrated block.
 
My CT digitals are very consistent and keep up with my Starret caliper, either bang on or off by maybe half a thou depending on measuring range. Tried a second set of CTs and they were off by a thou all the time though, so YMMV. I will say the Starret is more consistent. For reloading work either is fine. Best thing you can do for peace of mind is to grab a couple of pin gauges the same/very close to the size of what you are measuring or get a couple of gauge blocks. You'll see for yourself how close the calipers are to each other and be able to calibrate properly. Acklands has pin gauges for under ten bucks.

If you are feeling crazy, buy an $80 full set of gauge blocks from Shars.com. The shop grade is perfectly fine for reloading work (+\- 50 microns with a cert to tell you how far and which direction each is out of spec).

Shars also has a good price on a vernier ball micrometer for those looking to measure case necks. To be clear, Shars is not the same quality as Mit of Starret, but it is more than precise enough for reloading.
 
I like my Mititoyu, saying that though we have some other inexpensive brands at work and they are standing up pretty good.
I see in the Busy Bee flyer that the have them on special 6" for $24.00 and 8" for $35.00 price good till March 15th.
I would recommend the 8" ones they are better balanced compared to 6" calipers.
I have never been fond of digital calipers.

David
 
If you want to compare measurement such as reloading the dial makes for much quicker measurements.
I have Mitutoyu and Starrett measuring tools and think the quality is worth the extra expense.
 
I have a CT digital. Once I learned to take the battery out when not in use for any length of time, it works just fine. I am not rebuilding aircraft engines, so I can use tools that aren't perfect. Yes, I know about quality when it comes to tools. I made my living using hand tools for 20 years.
 
Mitutoyu.
buy once, cry once
My machinist buddy would not let me use anything else, so he gave me the Mitutoyu set before I could purchase it and I cut up my princess auto ones and made a small straight edge. We all spend a lot of coin on things that may or may not help us shoot better, are you willing to cheap out on a measuring tool that will out last your shooting/reloading career? Just my 5 c.
 
I find the ct one to be off by 1 thousand sometimes for no reason. How much do you care about 1 thou? Your call. It annoys me
 
Canadienseloco said:
I don't have a problem with my master craft calliper. I have starrett and bluepoint at work and have compared readings with my crappy tire set a few times. It was right on the money. Try replacing your battery. When the battery runs low you can get off readings.
If you are set on getting a quality calliper go starrett or mitutoyo.
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In my tool box which I used to pay the bills years ago there is a starrett which reads the same as the two $9.99 on sale from cappy tire at the reloading table.
They are fine for me
 
Master crafts great for $10 on sale!!! FYI- all the digital ones for under $80 are identical as they're made in same factory in china- cabelas, master craft , all identical other than colours & lettering.
 
aaron042671 said:
Master crafts great for $10 on sale!!! FYI- all the digital ones for under $80 are identical as they're made in same factory in china- cabelas, master craft , all identical other than colours & lettering.
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And even the 200$ orthodontic one is the same also if anyone cares. But its not new that we get ripped off in the medical profession.
 
For what we do mesuring OAL and crimp, the Mastercraft is good enough. I have 3 of them and they work without any hiccup. Got a Black & Decker and it is the same. I have seen that model sold from $9,90 to $79,00, and they look identical even under close examination. Yes there is better choice out there, but for reloading, no need to spend much $$ on those.
 
If you are going with dial calipers, absolutely do not go with a cheap brand. Only Mitutoyo or Starrett. Cheap dial calipers develop backlash very quickly and become useless. The needles are not counter-sprung like on the mitutoyo and starrett. If you are buying a cheap digital caliper you are pretty safe to use anything except the Canadian Tire or PA ones. Fowler, InSize, KAR and STM are all made in china and a 6" will cost $40-$50. A basic 6" mitutoyo absolute digital is about $150-175 depending on where you buy. Sometimes Thomas Skinner will have them in sale for $99. I got mine free as a top student award 12 years ago when I finished my first year. Still use them almost every day. I just bought a 12" coolant proof mitutoyo absolute on sale for $294 (reg $415). My last 12" I had 9 years before it was swiped.
 
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