Recommendation? Calipers and Angle Meter

[Beyblade]

Hopefully I won't need to explain to this particular group of people why these would come in handy!

I've been meaning to get one of each for a while. There are lots of options out there and I can never seem to settle on a purchase.

With calipers the main question is whether to spend $100 and get a great tool or if a $20 cheapo set will be accurate enough for satisfying blade and edge thickness curiosity?

With the angle meter, I'm trying to find something that would be able to directly measure the angle of an edge bevel, which obviously is a thin surface.

Depending on the job, sometimes it pays to pay and sometimes a $6 pipe wrench is all you need. Right now I'm not sure which way to go. I'd be interested in any opinions on what level of quality for these tools is going give enough accuracy for edge measurement and also any specific recommendations on make/model that has worked for you.

Thanks for any leads!

 

[954Ink]

I just bought digital calipers. The Husky brand from Home Depot compared with much more expensive models. I read a review from an engineer who stated they matched the machines calibration blanks at his company. They also have a lifetime warranty. I should mention I started off looking at $100 to $200 models. I dont need the trade certification.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Start with the Cheap ones from Harbor Freight. They work fine and will do what you need to do for Fixed blades knives. I’ve used them for 20 plus years along with their counter top drill presses. If you get into making high end folders. You might want to up grade after a few years??

 

[knarfeng]

I think it depends a bit on where you buy.
IMO, if you buy from an industrial supplier, there is a higher expectation that they will not sell you a piece of junk.

Several decades ago I bought a dial caliper from McMaster Carr.
I salivated over the Starrett, but couldn't afford it and went with an inexpensive one made in China. I used to keep it at work and one day when I was in the engineering lab, they happened to be calibrating their calipers. They checked mine and it passed. So I know it works well.

My point is that Home Depot, Wallmart, Harbor Freight, Amazon, etc. have no qualms about selling junk. If you buy from them, you need to do your homework, and cross your fingers. An industrial outfit such as Mcmaster or Grainger will normally only sell good stuff.

 

[Beyblade]

Thanks for the very helpful insight and words of wisdom. In the end ordered from McMaster Carr: a set of calipers & micrometer from China and a USA bevel protractor. Not totally cheap but similar in cost to what appear to be reasonable tools from Home Depot etc.

If I had to spend $20 dollars on a knife I could name a handful of solid options, some from the USA. There are a lot of great knives made in China and many more that are ... horrible. Unfortunately machining is a mystery to me so I don't know how to separate the good from the awful. Thanks for the guidance!

On a total tangent, many years ago I was backpacking through deepest China and passed through a town called Kashgar. It happens to have quite a knife making and blacksmith local trade. I picked up a couple hatchet heads in the market forged from engine blocks that are awesome. There were two guys striking while the smith held the tongs and directed in the forge behind the store front. I think I paid $15 each. Also got a sweet little carbon steel slip joint. I was able to pick a good one out of a selection but nice grind, hard steel, $3. Kashgar is way in the west of China, basically Central Asia, and a long way from the many factories of the east. You'll never find one of those hand forged knives or tools outside of China but it was cool to see!