digital calipers

[Morrey]

My digital caliper "iGage" leaves a lot to be desired. They were less than $20 and I now know why. I can take a measurement and the number is haywire. I then push back to zero and it gives me a number like .19999, so clearly it is not correct.
Not my question, however....is there a gauge that gives good service at a decent price?

 

[rcmodel]

I have been nothing but pleased with my Harbor Freight digital calipers I bought for $9.95 five or six years ago.

CEN-TECH #47257
http://t.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/

If you watch, they still have coupons all the time at the $9.95 price.

rc

 

[berettaprofessor]

Digital RC? Pretty newfangled, ain't it, for you? I don't trust anything if it runs on batteries and figured you wouldn't either.

 

[dragon813gt]

Harbor Freight. They are accurate enough for reloading purposes. They read the same as a more expensive pair I own.

 

[cwall64]

I bought the Mitutoyo 500-197-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper the other day from Amazon (not cheap), but have wanted for a while for more than just reloading. They seem to be much more consistent than a couple of cheap ones I have...

 

[Nature Boy]

I have the harbor freight calipers as well. I take them in to work from time to time to check calibration and they're always in spec.

 

[sellersm]

I've had great results with my Frankford Arsenal digital calipers. Not sure who really makes them.

 

[nettlle]

Dial calipers are gear driven and last forever.

 

[Walkalong]

I have some HF digital calipers that I use for most things. It's plenty accurate for 99.99% of reloading. I got them on sale with a coupon for $9.99. I bought both my kids a pair the next time they had a $9.99 coupon.

I also have some mechanical Mitutoyo and Brown & Sharp calipers. I use them sometimes.

Micrometers are a different story, but the HF digital Caliper works just fine.

 

[jmr40]

Mine are the Kobalt brand sold at Lowes building supply. I don't remember the cost, but around $20. They are accurate enough as long as the batteries are fresh. When they start going bad you get odd ball readings.

 

[Colorado_Expat]

Okay, I guess I'm old school.... I use a Starrett vernier caliper - stable and accurate.

 

[MEHavey]

...the number is haywire...

Have you tried changing the battery ?

 

[Duvel]

I've got a set of Frankfort and HF. They appear to be from the same manufacturer.

The Frankfort calipers operates smoothly, HF gritty. Both read the same.

 

[StrutStopper]

HF here too. Never had a problem.

 

[Morrey]

Have you tried changing the battery ?

New battery, no improvement. Closed calipers and zero, open to take a measurement, then when return to zero there is some random number on the readout like .19899. I rezero, take a reading, push back closed and .3333333 is readout. They have got to be bad.

 

[Duvel]

I've used the calipers linked below two - three times a week for the past three years with no issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Electronic-Dial-Calipers/dp/B0018E9FVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450933823&sr=8-1&keywords=frankford+arsenal+caliper

 

[jmorris]

Vernier calipers are forever even if people's ability to read them is not, they are kind of like a slide rule these days.

A dial caliper never needs a battery.

A digital can be read by a 4 year old even if they don't know what to call each digit to the right of the decimal.

 

[gamestalker]

I bought a HF one years ago and it's been rock solid, has a nice positive feel, and it does't push over when I put light pressure on the jaws, so it's pretty sound. Now that doesn't mean all the HF calipers are of the same quality though.

My son bought a pair exactly like the one's I have, and his are straight up junk. And then a buddy I know bought the same model and they were good. So it's really hit and miss. I don't know if they'll let you open the package and test them before buying? But if you take the current pair back, I don't think you'll have any problems with HF exchanging them for you, they're really great folks.

GS

 

[grandpawj]

+ 10 for HF

 

[highlander 5]

The Frankford digital vernier looks exactly like the 2 sets I have one of which is S&W the other I don't recall

 

[david bachelder]

HF brand. I've had them a good long time. They seem to be a little hard on batteries and the button 356 batteries are not always easy to find. When the battery gets low it gives you goofy numbers.

The thing gives me the same numbers all the time so I guess it's good.

 

[Blue68f100]

I checked the HF calipers I have with standards and their only have a ±0.002" accuracy. So I don't use them for things I need a accurate measurement on. If you check calibration at 1" increments they are right on but move to areas in between like x.x50" and their off. I use my Mitutoyo Absolute Digital scales for accurate measurements. They never fail me and are very easy on batteries. I've had them for 3yrs now and still running on the original battery.

 

[Morrey]

HF Calipers

First, I read reviews on the iGage I am having problems with. MULTIPLE reviewers are saying the same thing...this gauge WILL NOT hold zero.

I checked my Harbor Freight coupons and I found a coupon for digital calipers!! Compare at price $34.96 but with HF coupon, $10.99. Thanks guys, on the way to my local HF store.

 

[Paddy]

HF dial calipers used to be a great bargain but I've not been able to find a decent pair on years. I personally can't stand digitals although I do have a pair that I use in the shop, only because I have them. My fav calipers are B&S black dial.

 

[rcmodel]

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