digital calipers

When they closed the outfit I worked for they sold off all the hand tools to anyone who wanted them. I bought the Brown and Sharpe dial caliper I used for 5-10 years and bought a Mitutoyo digital just because it was only a few bucks. I never trusted the digital at work but I thought I'd save my B&S and see how long the battery or electronics lasted in the Mitutoyo. They both read equally accurately although the digital reads to 4 places and the dial only to 3. Flex in either can distort the readout by a few thou if you abuse them. If I need to know a dimension to 4 decimal places I use a micrometer.
Anyway, 13 years and one battery later, the two still read and function equally well if they are cleaned occasionally. I see the Mitutoyo #500-196 like mine for sale on Ebay for $34.00. If I were in need, that's what I'd go for.

I never trusted the digital

Click to expand...

Reagan often used the old Russin proverb, doveryai no proveryai or trust, but verify.

I often check my tools against "standards" even if though some are still in certification.

Yes. Standards are key.

I actually have three calipers. Two Mitutoyu (large, from surplus) and a Frankford. The Frankford is fine, but it eats batteries and if the battery is low, gives odd readings, even before it starts flashing. The price wasn't crazy as I recall, but I may get a HF for back-up.

I have a set of Hornady dial calipers that I absolutely love. I also have a set of General calipers from Home Depot.

Howdy

You get what you pay for. I have never been impressed with the Harbor Freight calipers. They slide stiffly and are not as smooth to operate as some of the better brands. I have used a Starrett dial caliper for many years, very pleased with it. I also have a nice Mitutoyo 8" digital caliper that I like a lot too.

You get what you pay for.

rcmodel said:

There were reported problems with Harbor Freight calipers running the battery down rapidly a few years ago.

Seems the foam liner in the case was not cut out enough, so it would depress the power switch when the lid was closed, repeatedly turning the power back on after the auto shut off turned it off.

The cure is to carve out more foam that might come in contact with the power switch.

rc

Click to expand...

I had the same issue with the one I bought from Menards 15 or 20 years ago.

Anything with a digital switch will burn batteries anyway, since it's always watching the switch waiting for it to get pushed. Sort of like "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

You get what you pay for. I have never been impressed with the Harbor Freight calipers. They slide stiffly and are not as smooth to operate as some of the better brands.

Click to expand...

I have to agree that they don't feel as refined as my Brown&Sharpe but there are folks that care less about how it feels, if "it works" and can save them more than $100.

The HF & Frankford Arsenal digital calipers work fine for loading 9mm.
The Frankford model is by far my oldest and has a larger display that's nice. This one always compares within .0005" readout of the H.F. caliper I now use most of the time.

Be sure to check for zero periodically..takes 5 seconds. If in doubt, change the battery. They last a long time if the button isn't pressed when in the closed case.

My 9mm pistol loads are much more precise than most commercial ammo , but don't need
exacting machine tolerances to be safe and consistent across a chrono.

I've had 2 elcheapo digital calipers & both worked just fine.

My current one say's Hornady, but I think I might've paid $15 for it.
My first one didn't even have a brand name on it.

It worked for 5 years.
Just ordered a new one from ebay, paid $5.88 with free shipping.