Recommend Inexpensive calipers on AMZ?

[Quickstep192]

The cheapo digital calipers I had ended up dying, or worse yet, began giving inaccurate readings. Luckily, the inaccurate readings were way off, so the discrepancy was obvious. Also, they ate batteries like candy.

I’ve since switched to dial calipers. No batteries and I think they’re more accurate.

If I were regularly measuring strings, I think I’d get a micrometer.

[grandstick]

I have an analog Helios set that my father gave me when he retired after 30 years as a machinist. Being a bit sentimental, I’ve never used them to measure anything.

Instead, I use an inexpensive digital set that I bought from Amazon. They are accurate enough for my needs.

[krrtlr1]

Spend your money one and be done with it. I use these every single day.

They have never failed me.

My money is on the Mitutoyo 500-196-30

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Fathand

I have a fairly cheap set of digital calipers, works great. Inch to .000 or metric to .00 selection is a nice feature and a zero set is essential.

Mine looks like this one https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Calip...NrPXRydWU&th=1

Supplemental info. My calipers died yesterday. A tiny metal contact tab fell out when I was changing the battery. It is like a 1/8" square piece of tin foil and I am not much at soldering so I am ordering a new one. I have had them for at least 12 years so about $2 a year. Pretty decent value I think.

[phavriluk]

It may pain me, but tools are just that - - -tools to do a job, whose work product is more important than the tool. If an inexpensive tool fails, and many do fail, early, they get replaced. If I had to buy lifetime machinist's tools to measure something, I wouldn't afford the materials that the tools were meant to help me with. As for fixing failed tools, if I can replace a broken digital caliper for twenty-change bucks, the time saved is worth the price - - - the tools ain't the hobby for me.

[lar]

I'm on my 3rd digital caliper (different brands) and I have the same problem with all of them: The zeros aren't stable. To make sure the measurement is accurate, I have to take a zero, then a measurement, then re-check the zero. I'll try a dial caliper next.

[phavriluk]

I, too, have seen wandering zero settings, but on a couple of mine who showed that symptom, a fresh battery seemed to stabilize them. I have no idea whether this could apply to every caliper with a wandering zero.

[Mirosh]

Do any digital calipers have a built-in rechargeable battery, that can be charged via a USB connector? That would be easy to do, and easier on the caliper, than messing around with batteries, battery covers, etc.

There are USB-chargeable electronic tuners, pocket radios, bicycle lights... Wave of the future?

[Carey]

I've had good luck with this plastic digital caliper:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The battery life is acceptable and the accuracy is quite good, though it's not up to measuring string diameters. For that I use an analog micrometer- mine is
an old C.E. Johansson.

[John Arnold]

I use dial calipers daily, but a micrometer is preferred for checking string gauges. Much better accuracy.
I have a few, but the one that is on the bench right now is an old Starrett, which can be had for about the same price as a cheap dial caliper.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by lar

I'm on my 3rd digital caliper (different brands) and I have the same problem with all of them: The zeros aren't stable. To make sure the measurement is accurate, I have to take a zero, then a measurement, then re-check the zero. I'll try a dial caliper next.

I have a dial caliper, I used to use. Resetting to zero was also a common occurrence. Temperature fluctuation or a bit of grime can throw them off, same as the digital ones.