Which Harbor Frieght calipers?

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Which Harbor Freight calipers?

I keep reading people recommending getting the inexpensive digital calipers from Harbor Freight over some of the more expensive brands, but when I went in there, they were about 10 different flavors. Are they all about the same or is there one that stands out?

Are there other alternatives I might consider as well?

Thanks!

 

[pinkymingeo]

I've been using a 6" digital I got from them, for a long time. Well worth the cheap price.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd probably try these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47257

You don't need the 12" ones, and 4" is probably too short for some things.

The other good 6" is fractional, which is used for woodworking, not reloading.

Then theres the $7.99 plastic ones, but I'd "go the extra mile" and spend $15.99 for "expensive" metal ones, I think!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47257

 

[nalioth]

I've been looking into some better calipers, because my Harbor Freight digital jobbies seem to eat batteries in less than a weeks time.

I've been looking at something inexpensive like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G9256...d_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1197607692&sr=8-1
but am also open to suggestions.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I received a Northern Tool flyer yesterday that had a set of Mitutoyo digital calipers, 6", for $34.00. Good name brand, great price. I couldn't, however find them online.

 

[AirplaneDoc]

The Frankfort Arsenal digital dial calipers work great, and are pretty accurate as well. I take mine into work about once a year, and have them verified, and they have always been right on. Gauge labe people tell me they appear as good as the expensive calipes that the company buys. I have alos seen the "Frankfort Arsenal" calipers on other websights for less than midway sells them.

 

[Walkalong]

I have the ones rcmodel linked you to. They work just fine. I bought them on sale at my local Harbor freight. Not as nice as my Brown and Sharp, but more than adequate for 95% of reloading tasks.

 

[zac4551]

I use the ones RCModel linked but I think I got them on sale for under $10

 

[KeithB]

I too have The Frankfort Arsenal digital dial calipers , they are great. Best part i got mine on sale for $19.99

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've come to the conclusion that unless you're talking about a $150 set of Mitutoyo calipers that all other brands are made in the same Chinese factory.

 

[FieroCDSP]

+1 on the 6" $15 metal digital ones. Though mine came with a dead battery in the caliper and I had to toss in the spare that came with it. It's the exact same caliper my friend got at Summit Racing for twice as much. Works great.

 

[Eagle103]

Another vote for the 6" digital. I also have the 4" which work but the 6" are easier to handle and have the thumbwheel adjuster. The batteries last about 6 months in mine. I also have a 6" manual dial for backup that work great too. For years all I had was the linear type so anything beats those.

 

[offroaddiver]

bought a 8'' cen-tech with a large lcd that was on clearance at a local store.

As a previous poster said they eat batteries. I just bought plenty of extras.

 

[RustyFN]

I bought a digital caliper from HF and it works fine. I messed up and bought one that only goes two decimal places. I went to HF and bought a 6" dial caliper and like it much better.
Rusty

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm also using 6" Frankfort Arsenal Electronic Calipers. Never a problem and they are accurate.
Midway has them on sale right now for $19.99, usual price is $32.99.

 

[Hikingman]

Go for the 15.99 version and use the inches mode for cartridge width, length and lots more! BTW, it doesn't hurt to keep a spare battery near the unit.

 

[ranger335v]

"...unless you're talking about a $150 set of Mitutoyo calipers that all other brands are made in the same Chinese factory."

Yup, and that includes the models marked and sold by the various reloading tool makers. They are plently good enough for reloaders too.

 

[murph50]

I have been using the Cen Tech 6" digital calipers from HF for a couple years now. They work great--I've checked them with my more expensive manuel caliper and they are always right on.
BTW--I use the HF tumbler too and it works great also

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

AS far as the original batteries failing on the HF's, go and get your batteries from somewhere else besides harbor freight and turn them off when you're done. The batteries will last a lot longer that way.

Regards,

Dave

 

[jhansman]

I started with some inexpensive digitals, but soon moved to a set of Cabelas dial calipers, which I use exclusively now. Sorry, but I just don't trust inexpensive digital scales, calipers, etc.

 

[Phil A]

The problem with the Chinese digital calipers is that the "off" button does not appear to do much except turn off the display. My HF calipers (6" steel) draws 13uA "on" and 12.5uA "off". As noted before, good batteries of the right type makes a difference. (Here is some very good info on that
http://www.davehylands.com/Machinist/Caliper-Batteries/

I have two HF calipers and they both work well. Digitals are especially nice when working with both metric and inch units. However I usually pop off the battery after use. That is less annoying than a dead caliper. I still have my old mechanical calipers for backup. - Phil

 

[herohog]

OK, ya talked me into it! Another person told me about the cheap electronic ear protection they had. That, coupled with this thread made me order:

47257-5VGA 15.99, 6'' DIGITAL CALIPER
92851-3VGA 9.99, ELECTRONIC EAR MUFFS

Can't wait to get the new toys! A tumbler is next on the list...

 

[birdbustr]

RCMODEL linked the right ones. I've got one that is over 1 and half years old and another that is 6 months, and both have the same batteries in them that they came with and the spare. Be sure to turn them off when you are done. Harbor Freight has some great deals. Never a problem. Shipping is not the swiftest. There is a store here, but they don't have everything in the stores that is online. Besides, it's a whole lot easier to me to just let them find the stuff in the warehouse and ship it rather than wandering up and down the aisles looking for small items.

 

[LotI]

I have the 6" model that was linked earlier. At ~$15 each, do yourself a favor and buy two. I keep both inside but will take a set outside to measure stuff for the car, power equipment, etc. They are probably the same as all the other cheap digital calipers, regarless of the name stamped on them.

If one starts acting goofy, double check your work with the other. They use the same batteries as my Aimpoint knock-off so I always have extras around.