Which brand Caliper do you use?

[Alabama358]

I am going to pick up a new set, my current caliper is sloppy and is inconsistent without effort. I have been reading reviews online and descided to find out what folks here are using.
Pros & Cons?

[rondog]

I like the Helios dial caliper I got 40 years ago when I was a machinist. Also have a Lyman I got used for $10. Both work great. FWIW, I personally don't trust digitals. But that's just me.

[farmerjim]

" I personally don't trust digitals. But that's just me."
Me too.

[Nueces]

Another hobby is machining. I have all kinds, but the serious ones are Mitutoyo Digimatics, including the one at the gun bench.

[rda72927]

Starrett 120A

[country gent]

I'm using the Mitoyos the most I have 6" and 12" also have several various sets of dials Mitoyo, brown and sharpe, Starrtets. Also some vernieers around here, harder to read but still accurate. I was a tool and die maker for my career so left overs of a misspent youth. Hit a couple tool shops and handle some see what feels right in your hand. I like the digitals. They are easy to use and can be zeroed any where along the beam. when measuring a lot of the same its nice to work 0 +/- whatever at times.

[big bore 99]

Retired tool and die maker. Was in the trade 48 yrs and had my own shop for 20 yrs. I started out with all name brand tools, but honestly had no problems with the el cheapo stainless dial calipers. They are cheap enough to have a few laying around the shop.
I always clean off the jaws and check zero before using. It's a good and fast habit. Most all have a covered rack to keep out trash.
A micrometer is better for checking diameters.

[reddog81]

Carrera Precision CP8806-T 6-Inch Stainless Steel Digital LCD Caliper MicrometerI bought mine on Amazon 3.5 years ago for $23. It has worked fine for my reloading needs. If I was a machinist I'd want something better, but for general reloading it is acceptable.

[Mytmousemalibu]

18" Mitutoyo mechanical dial caliper. Yes being that large is overkill but it was gifted to me for free and itcis a nice, high quality tool.

The digital stuff can be nice at times but I prefer a high quality mechanical. I trust them, i can efficiently and quickly read mechanical PMI tools and no batteries and electronics.

[TexasGrunt]

Midway, Cabela's, Harbor Freight. I've got all three. They all agree. That's enough for me.

[Mk42gunner]

I use a cheap set of China dial calipers that came in a tool box from Lassen County Community College Armorer's course. Not the best, but I clean and zero before each use as big bore 99 recommends.

They may not be the best, but I have no complaints.

Robert

[John Boy]

Which brand Caliper do you use?
The Pittsburgh ones from Harbor Freight: manual and digital. Certified plug gauge comparisons for both say they are accurate at 0.01 and 0.001 respectively
And a Spi V Anvil, measured with a plug gauge = 0.000

[mdi]

" I personally don't trust digitals. But that's just me."
Me too.
Me too. I feel safer watching a hand move on a dial than some seemingly random numbers pop up on a display...

[DougGuy]

Mitutoyo Digimatic. I had Kobalt from Lowe's, Brown & Sharp, Starrett, Mitutoyo dial, any of the decent ones will work. I do not care for the Asian versions as I find the most inconsistencies in those brands.

Now.. In the business we engage in here, using calipers and trying for accurate measurements is like trying to change a tire with a crescent wrench if you want to know the truth about them. They will get you close, but in trying to measure cylinder throats, groove diameters, anything critical etc, they are about as useless as teats on a boar hog regardless of WHO makes them.

You need a good mic that reads in .0001" increments. You can use calipers for a rough measurement, but use a mic if you really want to be accurate.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have used the inexpensive china dial calipers for 2 decades, they have served my needs. Shortly after I started casting, and realized I needed a Mic, when I was looking around here, there, and everywhere ...I lucked out at a garage sale, and found a Mitutoyo 0-1 digital (mechanical type) and a Mitutoyo 12" dial caliper for crazy cheap. There were guns and reloading equipment advertised in the papper (for this sale), that was suppose to start at 10am, which is when I showed up, but I guess a few people called ahead and talked this guy into opening the sale early...and bought all the guns...I wonder what all he had on the sale? Cause all that was left was the Mitutoyos and some reloading manuals priced at 25¢ each.

[jmort]

Mitutoyo

[Soundguy]

Mitutoyo and harbor freight, dial and digital. they all come up with the same results..

[paul h]

I have a 4" digital Mitutoyo, two 6" dials one no name Chinese and one Mitutoyo, and an 8" and 18" digital Mitutoyo.

My most used is the 4" digital. For solely handloading use the 4" is much more comfortable than a 6".

While I prefer Mitutoyos, the no name Chinese caliper is just as accurate.

[smokeywolf]

I have Mitutoyo, Starrett, Brown & Sharpe and a couple of others in various sizes up to 20 inches and in vernier, dial and digital. I favor and use the 6" Brown & Sharpe more.

If I were shopping for my first set of calipers I'd be looking at TESA or Brown & Sharpe "dial" calipers. The later models of TESA are the same as the Brown & Sharpe.

[Victor N TN]

As a retired machinist / tool & die maker I have a bunch of well known brand name tools. For calipers I have a Starrett, and 3 Mitutoyo 6" dials. I had my own shop when I got digitals. They are both Federal/Mahr.

I hope this helps you some

[cga]

Mitutoyo

[Beagle333]

Starrett for everything.

[codgerville@zianet.com]

Starrett in 6" and 12", Mitutoyo 8", Peacock 6" which stays in the reloading room. No digitals, had them and got rid of them. Old school here.

[cuzinbruce]

I have had others but prefer the Brown & Sharpe calipers. Have several, dials and vernier, inches and one metric.

[EMC45]

I have a set of RCBS (chinamade probably) and a pair of second hand Brown and Sharpe from my pawnbroker buddy.

[Shawlerbrook]

Frankfort Arsenal digital and HF and RCBS dial. They all agree and are definitely accurate enough for ammo reloading.

[RedRiver]

Starrett dial.

[Cowboy_Dan]

Mine is branded "Lyman" but I am sure someone else made it.

[The Dar]

I'm using a Craftsman purchased from Sears in 1981, non digital, no dial. Never had an issue with them.

[Bullwolf]

Frandford Arsenal digital, and RCBS dial are accurate enough for what I use calipers on. Clean and zero before using. Verify with another tool if something seems wonky.

When I need more precise measurements, I use a micrometer instead.







- Bullwolf

[stu1ritter]

+1 Helios dial. Mercedes mechanic for 30 years and they are still in great shape and read accurately across the range.

Stu

[avogunner]

I still use my first caliper from 30+ yrs ago, a Craftsman vernier (though I need a magnifying glass to use it now) but more often I use either a Frankfurt Arsenal Dial or Digital. They are just easier, quicker, to use and read. I agree with the other poster here who preferred the dial caliper too. I've no scientific proof but I consider the dial a bit more consistent and have more confidence in that one over my digital. For real precision measurements though, like others here have said, I use a mic. and mine is a Starrett.

[GoodOlBoy]

Frankford Arsenal digital. Good enough for me. but all I need are "ballpark" estimates. IE is it a .450, .455, etc

God Bless, and One Love.

GoodOlBoy

[ioon44]

Mitutoyo is the best I have used. I also have a Frankford Arsenal digital that is off .001" and won't zero plus the battery's are always dead.

[Petrol & Powder]

My "Good" caliper is from Midway but I have no idea who actually made it. It's well over 20 years old and works beautifully but I'm not making parts for satellites :grin:. You've got to keep them clean.

I needed a micrometer and finally found a good one in my price range. That one is a used but well cared for George Scherr from New York. Don't know how old that one is.

[6bg6ga]

It doesn't take a $300 caliper to obtain accurate results. A $4 pair of plastic calipers without a dial will provide the same reading that a $300 set will. There is no need for any hangup when it comes to calipers. Two things to remember.. one keep them clean and dirt free, two don't try to use them like a vice to obtain a reading.

[whisler]

Mine is by RCBS, don't know who made it for them.

[barrabruce]

Mitutoyo verniers here ..had them for 30 yrs.
Accurate nuff with in a bees dick if you don't use them like a monkey wrench or throw them around.

Only good to you spring the jaws.

Treat them like a precision instrument if you care for your stuff .

I use "my mics or tools" if I want a half proper measurement.
And use that for comparison parts or machining.

Clean check zero measure.
Clean close put away.

[Minerat]

30 year old RCBS. Box hinge broke last week. Da.n Cheap thing!

[MT Chambers]

Starrett dial vernier, Mitotoyo dig. vernier, Starrett 0-1" mic., most of the cheaper stuff have slack in their adj.