Quality Caliper

[Clever]

I would like to know what calipers have given the best and the most consistent readings. I have had my fair share of different manufacturers, with a lot of trial and error I have settled on one for a good stretch now. Like to hear some input from all you that strive for optimum accuracy and consistent.

 

[bullfrog]

Starrett

 

[MudRunner2005]

I use a Starrett 799. It's a little pricey, but it's worth the money.

 

[Clever]

I settled on these and never looked back:

 

[Canadian Bushman]

I currently own 6 sets of calipers

4 mitutoyos
-2 vernier, 1 dial, 1 digital
2 brown and sharpes
-Both dial
1 starret
-1 digital

They are all good calipers capable of comparable accuracy, but i feel the best bang for the buck probably lies with mitutoyo. Mine are pretty trashed and im in need of a new pair. Using all four means of measurement hundreds of times every day, you eat these things up pretty quick. Or i drop them.

 

[Clever]

I currently own 6 sets of calipers

4 mitutoyos
-2 vernier, 1 dial, 1 digital
2 brown and sharpes
-Both dial
1 starret
-1 digital

They are all good calipers capable of comparable accuracy, but i feel the best bang for the buck probably lies with mitutoyo. Mine are pretty trashed and im in need of a new pair. Using all four means of measurement hundreds of times every day, you eat these things up pretty quick. Or i drop them.

I have 4 of them, they are 1 year old. I had them dedicated for it's own task. Now I use only 2 and have the other 2 sitting in my safe. Do you need them? They are in excellent condition.

 

[Canadian Bushman]

I have 4 of them, they are 1 year old. I had them dedicated for it's own task. Now I use only 2 and have the other 2 sitting in my safe. Do you need them? They are in excellent condition.

Make me a deal, and ill buy em from you.

 

[NIFTYFIFTY]

I've been in manufacturing since 1978(aerospace since'81). 10 yrs as a machinist. 37 yrs as an Inspector. What I've learned about measuring tools is a tired old saying. You get what you pay for. Got my 1st Mitutoyo dial caliper in 1979. 80 bucks was a bit back then. Used them until '98 when I got my 1st Mitutoyo "Absolute" digital caliper(6 inch). Took it home one weekend to use on the bench. It never made it back to work. Ordered an 8 inch version the next Monday for work. Currently own 3 "Absolutes". (2) eight inch and (1)6 inch. They're the best I've ever used. Of coarse that's MY opinion. You can find them used from $50(6 inch) to 300+(12 inch). A new 8 inch will probably run around 200+. I bought my 6 inch new for about $125 and the 8 was adout $150 back in '98.

 

[VinceMule]

The absolutes are great, but beware, there are Chinese knockoffs.

Electronic tools are not as durable as standard mechanical. In the mechanical, if the dial only measures .100, the dial is easier to see.

Mitutoyo mechanical, Starrett, Brown & Sharp are a joy to use, keep the dirt and grit out of the track. Buy quality once, cry once, enjoy it for the rest of your life.

Clever, if you are tired of poor-quality dial calipers, you are probably ready to start using Micrometers, and they are inexpensive on eBay.

Bad things happen when you drop electronic tools, with the auto shut-off being the first thing that goes out. So, if you want to buy electronics, buy a tool with a manual shut-off, not auto.

 

[VinceMule]

The absolutes are great, beware there are Chinese knock offs.

Electronic tools are not as durable as standard mechanical. In the mechanical dial, if the dial only measures .100, the dial is easier to read.

Mitutoyo mechanical, Starrett, Brown and Sharp are a joy to use, keep the dirt and grit out of the track. Buy quality once, cry once, enjoy it for the rest of your life.

 

[Axl]

I've been in manufacturing since 1978(aerospace since'81). 10 yrs as a machinist. 37 yrs as an Inspector. What I've learned about measuring tools is a tired old saying. You get what you pay for. Got my 1st Mitutoyo dial caliper in 1979. 80 bucks was a bit back then. Used them until '98 when I got my 1st Mitutoyo "Absolute" digital caliper(6 inch). Took it home one weekend to use on the bench. It never made it back to work. Ordered an 8 inch version the next Monday for work. Currently own 3 "Absolutes". (2) eight inch and (1)6 inch. They're the best I've ever used. Of coarse that's MY opinion. You can find them used from $50(6 inch) to 300+(12 inch). A new 8 inch will probably run around 200+. I bought my 6 inch new for about $125 and the 8 was adout $150 back in '98.

The Op posted 10 years ago. Hope he found something by now...

 

[FEENIX]

The Op posted 10 years ago. Hope he found something by now...

LOL! He did settled for something. One thing interesting is that one of the participants is no longer with LRH.

 

[338edge]

Looking for the best/most accurate digital dial calipers money can buy

 

[Model19Man]

I bought a mechanical caliper in the early 1980's made by Brown & Sharpe. Very high quality, I still have it. A similar tool is on eBay right now https://www.ebay.com/itm/2570041401...m1xng1tOclaV+U091NzGIH74UxA=|tkp:BFBM4tqgzvxl