id/od micrometer

[CPOM]

I'm looking for a replacement dial caliper that meaures to 0.01" and at least 1.0mm. I had a $20 one from homedepot which lasted a while but since it's plastic the shop dust killed it. Looking for a metal one this time that's a bit tougher. (but I will have to take care of this one a little better) Digital is not preferred as it probably will mean another battery to replace...

[300sniper]

look up enco online and look for dial callipers there. they always have some great sales. if you really only need to measure to .01, any cheap one will do. i use a mitutoyo that was about $75. i don't think you would even need to spend close to that much.

edit: i am assuming you are talking about a dial calliper.

[JeffHPK5]

Are we talking dial calipers or mics?

Sure you don't mean .001 , even cheap ones can do better .010...

By slide I'm betting your talking about vernier(sp?) type calipers , you need to have damn good eyes to use those..:laughing:

[CPOM]

Yes, dial calipers is what I meant thanks.

This one looks good
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=RNZYHBJU0NPDPLAQBBICCNVMCAEFCI WE?id=0024109213608a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=0370106&cm_ite=0024109213608a&_requestid=26832

[jnutter]

Get the cheap $15 digital version from Harbor Freight.

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

[PTSchram]

What are you measuring and in what sort of setting? Industrial, shop, home?

Enco has all manner of calipers, as does MSC, Penn, Wholesale Tool Supply, etc. I suggest something other than Harbor Freight as I've not had the best of luck with them. OTOH, I've been doing business with ENCO for 30 years with only a single complaint.

[braxton357]

The $20 hf dial calipers are more than enough for what you need. I also bought a $10 digital set for quick measurements since I keep the nice ones in the cabinet away from shop dust and chips and they work pretty well.

[SPEEDCRAVIN]

The $20 hf dial calipers are more than enough for what you need. I also bought a $10 digital set for quick measurements since I keep the nice ones in the cabinet away from shop dust and chips and they work pretty well.

Most of HF's Cen-Tech measurement tools are decent. I have a wide assortment in a drawer. I am careful with them jsut like I am with my real nice sets cause I know they are more light duty but for the price you cant go wrong...

I bought the magnetic base, linear caliper dial guage while on vacation wheeling once because I blew up a rear ring & pinion set. The HF store was just around the corner so I got the tools and set up the gears in the parking lot...

When I buy things like that ar HF I usually get 2 just incase one craps out on my during a job...

JOSH

[PTSchram]

I lost all confidence in H-F measuring tools when my brake caliper began telling me rotors were 56" thick...

A cheap Enco dial caliper is far better than the best H-F digital.

[JeffHPK5]

telling me rotors were 56" thick.

Man, there's some life in those puppies!

[jnutter]

I lost all confidence in H-F measuring tools when my brake caliper began telling me rotors were 56" thick...

A cheap Enco dial caliper is far better than the best H-F digital.

I think the racks skip too easily on cheap dial calipers.

[D60]

I think the racks skip too easily on cheap dial calipers.

I've got a $20 Kanon made in Japan that's great for what it is. Also have a $40 SPI I'm real happy with. Some of the $10 to $11 dollar China calipers are crap out of the box. The ones with a castle-ated bezel (kinda like a castle-ated nut on your tie rods) around the dial seem uber cheap, generally speaking.

[PTSchram]

I think the racks skip too easily on cheap dial calipers.

Let's keep in mind just what this gentleman needs. While you, D60 and I have boxes filled with Starrett, Mitutoyo and Brown & Sharpe stuff, he can probably afford to spend ~$35 for a cheapie dial caliper and if it fawks up, buy another one.

FWIW-the H-F caliper I had the problem with was a digital one without a geared rack.

[jnutter]

I've had the exact opposite experience, doesn't matter who's dial caliper I buy - the rack slips eventually. That's the way I use stuff though. If you use stuff a different way and get different results, that's Ok with me :stirthepot:

[SlightlyModified]

FWIW-the H-F caliper I had the problem with was a digital one without a geared rack.
Even the big names like miyutoyo's digital calipers don't have a rack.

I don't claim to be a know it all, But I do calibrate and repair mics and calipers for the entire shop where I work (about 250 instruments). We've switched to just about all digital, because half the retards have a problem reading them. Everything I buy is mostly Mitutoyo and starret. I do have about 10 SPI 12" digital calipers. These are cheap compared to Starret, mitutoyo etc. but work very well. I think the jaws aren't as hard, and don't hold up as well if they are dropped. They would probably last forever for an average machinist.
I've tried several cheap mics and nothing lasts. I've found Starret to be the best, and then Mitutoyo.

[PTSchram]

[QUOTE=SlightlyModified;7526328]Even the big names like miyutoyo's digital calipers don't have a rack.
[\QUOTE]

I don't know of any digital calipers with a geared rack. I was merely pointing out that I was having problems with calipers without the rack.