Looking for recommendations, if not considering cost I would probably go ahead and buy Starrett or Mitutoyo (and still may, buy once yada yada). If not a more name brand, what do y'all recommend in a good digital caliper, 4-6" range.
Thanks

I bought a husky from home depot..... cost was around 30 bucks I think....it’s accurate and seems reliable. Been using it for measurement with a CNC and haven’t had any issues where I find my measurements are drastically off.

I shop the used Mitutoyo's on ebay and check out the sellers carefully.
The new Mitutoyo's that are exceptionally cheap are all knockoff's and are usually overseas shippers or show a west coast location.
The no name stuff that are Chinese can work well but are hit and miss quality and I'm trying to stay away from Chicom as much as possible.

Be sure to have extra batteries. It's easy to forget to turn these things off, or think you're turning them off, when you're hitting the zero button or switch from metric to standard. I have two sets from Harbor Freight, have had them forever and use them all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
.....and I'm trying to stay away from Chicom as much as possible.

I'd like to do that as well, in principle, harder to do in practice, that may be a driver back to the pricier name brands..

Hornady has a decent set. I use mainly for reloading.

This Mitutoyo copy. Do not leave a battery in it.

I have used real Mitutoyo, but for home reloading use, these are perfectly fine. All others besides Mitutoyo will probably be relabeled copies of this anyhow.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...l-caliper-63712.html

They do eat batteries. I think they make a 6" version but the print is different from mine - although I may actually have a 6" version myself.

Anything else, just get real Mitutoyo. They have long battery life even with daily use too.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
https://www.harborfreight.com/...l-caliper-63712.html

They do eat batteries.

I have a Harbor Freight 6" version, under 20 bucks, even less on sale or with a % off coupon, and have had no battery issues in a low amount of use, they work fine. Original battery lasted over 2 years IIRC and they came with one extra. Mine reads in inch, mm, and fractions.

While I've not owned any "top shelf" ones, I have owned them across the price range of cheap to expensive. They all died or I killed them. lol

Last time I just bought a cheap Pittsburg set from HF and oddly they've gone strong for many years.

quote:

Originally posted by cgode:
I bought a husky from home depot..... cost was around 30 bucks I think....it’s accurate and seems reliable. Been using it for measurement with a CNC and haven’t had any issues where I find my measurements are drastically off.

I bought a General stainless steel version at Lowes for about the same price that sounds similar. I use it to measure steel structural members when base building structural drawings aren’t available for use in modification work. I’ve used it on several projects over the past six months or so and have been pleased with its ease of use and accuracy. It will do 0 to 6-inches.

I have an eBay one and a Mitutuyo. They take the same measurement although one is 1/10 the price of the other one.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
While I've not owned any "top shelf" ones, I have owned them across the price range of cheap to expensive. They all died or I killed them. lol

Last time I just bought a cheap Pittsburg set from HF and oddly they've gone strong for many years.

I buy these for my business. And I distribute the big names. My techs break them somewhat regularly. As much as I hate buying from China the HF work just as well and last about as long as the high end ones. This is not a scientific environment at my business, we do a lot of repair on big heavy tools and hoists.

Call me old fashioned, but I like dial calipers. You can get decent inexpensive ones and no battery worries.

Central Tools, CEN3C351 is supposed to be a good product.

https://www.nationaltoolwareho...OEAQYBCABEgKBsPD_BwE

I like the ease of use of dial calipers.


That being said, I have a weird body chemistry. Anything that I used yesterday with batteries is dead today when I need it. Flashlights, remote, whatever. Have been known to cause hammers to miss nails and hit flesh.

I'm old school like 6guns. My SPI dial caliper from MSCDirect works every time.

How accurate are your needs? For most of us, a .01mm difference in accuracy and/or precision is inconsequential, but for a machinist, that's unacceptable.

I have some Mitutoyos as well as some HFT. The HFT ones are perfectly serviceable for the 99% of us. One thing about HFT calipers though is lack of quality control. Inspect them closely before buying. I've seen a lot of them that when closed, the arms still have a small gap in between them. If you can see any daylight, put them back and check another pair.

After 50 years as a tool maker I have pretty much tried them all.

I would get the Mitutoyo. and never look back. (I did)

Bob

Wixey WR100

Wixey WR100 digital caliper. This is a darn good price at Acme Tool. They are $40 at Home Depot, and I think I paid more than that at the local woodworkers store. I've had mine a couple of years and really enjoy using it. These read in inches, millimeters or fractions.

quote:

Have been known to cause hammers to miss nails and hit flesh.

This is the one I use. Pricey I know but it is top quality piece of equipment. Wiha is a german brand. All their tools are top notch!

https://www.toolnut.com/hand-t...caliper-digimax.html