I need a micrometer

[Sakoluvr]

Are these inexpensive Lyman micrometers any good or should I look on ebay for a used higher quality tool? I am a little leery of buying a worn out ***. Thanks.


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/169644/lyman-vernier-micrometer-1#

[pertnear]

I don't know if you have any experience using & reading a micrometer, but if not, I recommend a digital model. There are inexpensive digitals available also.

FWIW...

[XDROB]

Depends on what you are doing with it. If it's for COL and other not so critical measurements then I got a Stanley electronic one at Lowe's pretty cheap.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[Sakoluvr]

I have calipers for the not very precise stuff. Not looking for digital. Bullet diameter etc. measurements

[Mk42gunner]

I think it will do all you need for reloading. I have one of Lyman's tubing micrometers; it seems okay to me, although I am not a machinist.

Also, I'm not real sure Lyman actually builds these, they may be rebadged items from anybody (I haven't looked at mine for quite a while).

Robert

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I used a cheap Chinese Mic for a long time, before I found a nice used affordable Mitutoyo.
For measuring lead boolits and slugs, I couldn't tell the difference.
Both were digital (that's mechanical digital, not battery/LCD).
There are hash marks on both, if you prefer the hash marks.

[Kenstone]

A mechanically digital micrometer takes out the mystery of reading it and no battery to die.
The 0.0001 graduations are on the spindle though...
https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-Micrometer-52-224-001-0-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B0047D0KTW/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1494862126&sr=8-18&keywords=1+inch+Vernier+Micrometer
Something to consider
:mrgreen:

[DougGuy]

Ebay for a Mitutoyo 193-211 0"-1" digital that reads in .0001" I see them all the time for around $40, I have the same one, got it from ebay I think $35.

Also get a stand if you can, it holds the mic and leaves you with both hands which is an added plus..

[Idz]

The 193-211 is a mechanical digital micrometer and sells new in $150 range. You also get electronic digital Mituyoyo mics in that same price range. A used (abused?) mechanical one for $35 may be a bit suspect.

[OS OK]

Mine is not an expensive mic., it does have a 're-zero' adjustment. I imagine most all have this feature...you have to use a small spanner wrench that comes with the mic.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

I have 1" Brown & Sharpe and 1/2" Starrett micrometers. Had them for 45 years or so. My digital calipers are ok for most reloading work. I use the mikes when I want to know what the diameter really is. :-)

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[No Blue]

For extra, added, more complication; get the Mitutoyo Combi-Mike. The ones I got in '75 have metric on the digital counter and SAE on the thimble. I was working on foreign and domestic cars and needed both standards; those were perfect!

But if you got a dial caliber, and you haven't abused it, you already got something that will measure to the half tho; needle splitting two hash marks is half a tho...you really don't need anything better than that. But if the eyeballs are old, digital is easier to read...

But if an additional motivation is you really want to just spend some money, get a mechanical digital; no batteries!!! LOL

[DougGuy]

The 193-211 is a mechanical digital micrometer and sells new in $150 range. You also get electronic digital Mituyoyo mics in that same price range. A used (abused?) mechanical one for $35 may be a bit suspect.

All you gotta do is read a couple of pin gages with it and there you have your answer.

[country gent]

I would imagine the Lymans are made for them by another manufacturer. I have Starret, Browne and Sharpe, and Mitoyo measuring tools in my tool boxes. All are good solid tools accurate and meant for a lifetime + of use. The brown and Sharpes are a set of 0-6" michrometers carbide faces slant line graduations and verniers. They read to the .0001. The starrtets are vernieer calipers and a couple sets of mics reading to .001. The mitoyos are digitals mics 0-1" and 1-2" ranges reading to .00005. Several things to remember with measuring tools. Keep them clean and dust free. Check for zero each use or often to be sure. Check for zero along the range of measuring to make sure there is no wear in the threads or mechanisim. For very precise work use jo blocks or pin gages for dimension and mikes as a comparator between parts and blocks. The only really worn mics Ive seen ( other than abuse) were production mics that were used day in day out for one narrow range of sizes on production lines. AT work our mikes were rotated thru various machining areas to keep them working in different ranges making their usefull life much longer since the threads could be adjusted for play.

[Jeff Michel]

You can pick up a 0-1 Chi-com micrometer on ebay for little money and they are plenty accurate enough.

[Engineer1911]

Amazon.com can be your friend: https://www.amazon.com/Anytime-Tools-MICROMETER-Precision-Machinist/dp/B0045VKF5K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869369&sr=8-5&keywords=micrometers

$22 with carbide faces and 0.0001 accuracy on the spindle.

[Sakoluvr]

I ordered this one. Thanks all.

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-229-201-Micrometer-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HEI3W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869690&sr=8-3&keywords=fowler+micrometer

[gnostic]

Wow, that looks so nice, I wish I hadn't bought a $20 micrometer off ebay...

[OS OK]

Perfect...just be sure to use the small ratchet knob to close it on something you want to measure. It will come down tight enough and then ratchet slip to where you are not closing the mic. too hard, giving a too small measurement. The large black knob is for gross adjustment only.

[farmerjim]

In a pinch, they make great C clamps.

[pertnear]

In a pinch, they make great C clamps.
Yeah, but ya' gotta tighten 'em with pliers....:smile:

[EDG]

The best micrometer deals come off of ebay. I bought my first mikes in 1968 and I collect mikes too.

You can often buy a Reed, Tubular, Scherr or Scherr Tumico for less than $15. These are excellent but older mikes and they are all different names for the same brand.
If you want a better mike shop for a Brown & Sharpe or Mitutoyo. Want top of the line? Get a Mahr, Tesa or Etalon. But you will pay too.

There are many cheap mikes and some are even good mikes but you don't get much resale value for the $5 to $10 that you save. Some of the cheap mikes are actually junk and you will only be buying a paper weight.

[tankgunner59]

I bought a used one just like that at a large flea market in my area. I also have a digital caliper and according to it the micrometer is dead on. I also have a dial caliper and they all cross check correct. It's worth the money as far as I'm concerned.

[country gent]

Good measuring insterments are a commodity to be protected and saved heavy handed use or rough handling speeds wear on them. The better mics have a take up collet on the thread and can be zeroed easily. The collet simply sets thread play and takes up wear. Most have never been reset so they may have a lot of take up there yet. My Brown and Sharpes passed isso accuracy requirements and the collets have never been adjusted in 35 years of use. The ones that may be an issue are the few used in production line jobs that spend their life measuring in one small range. As wear may be taken up there but then be to tight everywhere else. Size of the mics makes a difference also since 0-1" gets used a lot more often than 5"-6" normally do.

[Green Frog]

When I was taking one of my machine shop classes at the local community college, my instructor said that a dial caliper would give results at least as good as a yardstick. For real precision, the proper micrometer was the way to go. I own a couple of Mitutoyo dial calipers and a 1" mic as well as a set of Starrett mics from 0-1" up to 5-6", but most of my measurements were done in class with a Lyman stainless dial caliper and a Lyman 0-1" micrometer, because I got the accuracy I needed for the class and they are were expendable. The good stuff is at home, mostly in an old Gerstner Oak tool chest. Now the Lyman stuff goes out to the range with me. 8-)

Froggie

[Sakoluvr]

Thanks all for the great input!

[No Blue]

Thanks all for the great input!

So what are you going to buy????

Probably something with batteries....

[wv109323]

I bought a quality mic of ebay for $15.00 that reads to .0001". I would not buy a cheap digital that reads to .001". You then the ten thousandth to measure barrel diameters.

[Sakoluvr]

So what are you going to buy????

Probably something with batteries....

This is what I bought after doing a lot of looking:

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-229-201-Micrometer-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HEI3W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869690&sr=8-3&keywords=fowler+micrometer

[No Blue]

This is what I bought after doing a lot of looking:

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-229-201-Micrometer-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HEI3W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869690&sr=8-3&keywords=fowler+micrometer

Well at least no batteries. LOL

Nice mid level; much more than what you need to measure a bullet diameter and such. Have fun.

[jcwit]

This is what I bought after doing a lot of looking:

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-229-201-Micrometer-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HEI3W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869690&sr=8-3&keywords=fowler+micrometer

Nice caliber, but accuracy out to 4 points for reloading?? LOL

[Kenstone]

I bought a quality mic of ebay for $15.00 that reads to .0001". I would not buy a cheap digital that reads to .001". You then the ten thousandth to measure barrel diameters.
um...The 0.0001 graduations are on the spindle...same as your "quality mic off ebay".
just sayin'
:smile:

[JSnover]

This is what I bought after doing a lot of looking:

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-229-201-Micrometer-Measuring-Graduation/dp/B00B5HEI3W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1494869690&sr=8-3&keywords=fowler+micrometer
I'm satisfied with the Fowler mics we use at work, I just wish the guys would treat them better.

[KCSO]

Bought a lot of mikes at yard sales and such and often really cheap. If they check out good and most can be adjusted. Last one I bought was a Brown and Sharp in the box with a test certificate and a gauge pin and it cost a whopping $15. If you haven't learned to read a mike yet then starting with a digital is an option.

[No Blue]

Bought a lot of mikes at yard sales and such and often really cheap. If they check out good and most can be adjusted. Last one I bought was a Brown and Sharp in the box with a test certificate and a gauge pin and it cost a whopping $15. If you haven't learned to read a mike yet then starting with a digital is an option.

Greatest sell off of metal and wood working tools and equipment in the history of the US is currently going on.

All those Boomer tool collections, bought over the last 50 years are getting sold. And the young ones don't want them. So the price drops until they do. Or they get salvage iron value.

This is just the privately owned stuff; doesn't include all the commercial and industrial that is also getting sold off as obsolete or worn out or depreciated.

They're gonna clean out the country....Just you watch.

Completely different market from 30 or 40 years ago when the buyers were lined up and it was a sellers market....the one I was buying in...

[Sakoluvr]

I'm satisfied with the Fowler mics we use at work, I just wish the guys would treat them better.

Got mine yesterday and really like it. Checked it out with pin gauges (those are only 3 digits) and it was on the money. I really like the ratcheting feature. Very smooth operation. Sure, there is always a gem at a yard sale, but who has time to search? I wanted one now and felt that the price was not excessive.