Reccomend to me a set of slide calipers

Planterz

Planterz

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I want a set of calipers. I know good ones aren't cheap and cheap ones aren't good. They don't have to be digital, although if a good digital pair (preferably dual mode) isn't too much more expensive, that'd be great. I'm perfectly OK with and capable of using dial calipers though. I can use vernier calipers too, but I'd prefer dial or digital for simplicity. I know a little about these kinds of tools, but I have no idea what the good brands are, or anything like that. 8-12" length, .001" accuracy.
 
Planterz,

I would suggest Mitutoyo or Starrett. I have used a 6” Mitutoyo for the last 10 years and it still works perfectly. It has seen much use and traveled a lot and has held up just fine. Associates have used cheaper brands and they have gone through many while I am still using my original.

http://www.mitutoyo.com/TerminalMerchandisingGroup.aspx?group=1387

In my opinion it is worth it to invest in a good caliper unless you think yours will be subject to theft or breakage. Besides improved accuracy and dependability, you will also have the “feel” of a good pair of calipers every time you use them.

--SAK
 
Planterz,

I agree with SAK, don't buy cheap calipers! For general use you could probably get by with a 6" pair. That is what I would recomend unless you have a need for a larger pair. Once you get into the larger ones, the price goes up quickly.

I just got a sale catalog from Brown & Sharpe, their 6" dial calipers are 115.00, 8" are 190.00 and the 12" are 240.00. They have some digital 6" calipers that are 100.00.

Let me know if you would like more detail on any of these, I could send you the catalog if you would like.

Hope this helped,

Bruceter
 
Mitutoyo and Brown are what my father, a retired machinist, and my nephew, a new machinist have used and prefer to use.

They do NOT prefer digital but an analog(I guess you could say) display. The digital according to them are capable of reading what you would like for them to read.

Also, do not buy a cheap pair unless you plan on using them a couple of times and putting them away.

Also, when storing they recommend you slightly spread the jaws. IIRC, they said this would help prevent rust.
 
I'll parrot what has already been said. I love my Mitutoyo, but I bought a cheap 6" digital for my toolbox/knockaround set for about $20 from Harbor Freight. I checked them with my micrometer standards when I got home, and to my amazement, they were perfect! Maybe I got lucky, but if you aren't going to use them much, buy the cheapies and you won't feel bad when you (or someone else :mad: ) wrecks them.
 
It looks like I can get a Starrett 8" dial caliper for about $80 (they're on factory sale or something). Sounds just about right for me. Although the digital one for $130 is tempting too. I think the school's machine shop (Pima County CC) had Starretts as well as Brown & Sharpe guages (I don't remember the names, but I remember the red plastic cases and wooden cases).

Thanks guys.
 
I'm also a machinist, and my daily users are a pair of 6" Mitutoyos, and a 6" pair of Starretts. Both dial type. I also have a pair of Mitutoyo 6" digital, and a pair of 12" digital Mitutoyos. I do use the 12" digitals on larger parts. My digitals are just as accurate as my dial types.

All of my micrometers are Mitutoyo's, with the exception of a 0-1" Browne and Sharpe old style digital (non electronic) that my dad gave me some 20 years ago.

As has been stated; don't skimp, and don't buy any of the chinese made stuff if you really are interested in accuracy.
 
You might take a look at those lower priced Starretts. They are now selling some that they are calling their "Global" line. These tools are made overseas. I have a pair of the 4" ones and they are a good pair, but I just wanted to let you know that they are imports.

Bruceter
 
Bruceter said:
You might take a look at those lower priced Starretts. They are now selling some that they are calling their "Global" line. These tools are made overseas. I have a pair of the 4" ones and they are a good pair, but I just wanted to let you know that they are imports.

Bruceter
Click to expand...

Wow, I had no idea that Starrett was offering tools made outside the U.S.

If someone has those, or purchases any of those, I'd appreciate a heads up on their quality and accuracy, as well as country of manufacture.
 
I think the pair I'm looking at, the 1202-8, are part of this "global" series. Obviously they might not have the quality/accuracy of the higher priced line, but I think for my purposes, they'll do just fine. I don't need the bleeding edge, top of the line, but I don't want junk. They're made in Suzhou China. They look to be roughly half the cost of the USA made ones (but still aren't "cheap").
 
I have a pair of the 4" "Global" series Starretts. Nice pair of calipers, they are a scaled down version of a 6" pair. Most 4" calipers are just 6 inchers with two inches cut off. I have had these for about a year or so. Work fine, seem just as accurate as the USA made ones. They were a little "grungy" when I got them, had to spend some time cleaning them up. But once I did that they were fine. They weren't as smooth as some out of the box, but they are better now after using them for a while.

Bruceter
 
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