Moore and wright tools

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

I know the old Sheffield and UK made Moore and Wright micrometers and metrology tools, were well made. But has anyone any experience of the modern stuff, which i presume are made in Asia ? Are they accurate and hardwearing ?

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I bought an M&W combination set after trying to get something at least square from my local toolshop. It is well made and seems as accurate as I can measure.

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Bought a M&W digital calliper from Machine DRO, cost me £26 and am well pleased with it. The feel is totally different to cheap calliper costing £10 -15, the only criticism that I have come across is that it auto shuts down too quickly, that I can live with, and it doesn’t eat batteries either. Apparently all M&W equipment is now made overseas but if my calliper is anything to go by the quality is good.

Dave W

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

M & W stuff is usually pretty good, I still have a couple of M & W micrometres & they still read accurately to date. As with all todays brand names …. 'Made in China / Taiwan / India'. Manufacturing in the UK is dead in all but name now due to privatisation & short term profitability… .

George.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Exactly as per Samaranda’s post.

Edited By Mick B1 on 27/03/2018 18:59:06

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

 

Plus one from me in respect of the new M & W digital calipers shutting down too quickly. I have also seen comments to the same effect in previous threads here. Which is a shame really, as other than this they seem to be a good quality, reasonably accurate and reliable product.

So what's that chance of communicating this common theme back to M & W and turning this from "good but…" into "just what the doctor ordered". Can't mean much more than a minor software change, surely?

Anyone from M & W or Allendale care to comment?

Best rgds Simon

Edited for minor typo

Edited By Simon Williams 3 on 27/03/2018 19:13:49

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Simon Have you written to M&W and asked them ?

Roy

[Nick Taylor 2Participant @nicktaylor2]

I bought the 0-6 inch micrometer set a few months ago from allendale, approx £160 from memory. I compared them to the top of the range mitutoyo set our mechanical engineer has at work and they all read to within 2/10ths of a thou of each other, very impressed!

I doubt they’ll last 20 years like the mitutoyos but for the ‘home gamer’ I’m sure they’re better than I’ll ever need. I’ve cut to very close tolerances using them and they feel nice to use as well.

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

Posted by roy entwistle on 27/03/2018 19:54:13:

Simon Have you written to M&W and asked them ?

Roy

Truth to tell, I put them back in the drawer and picked up a (relatively) cheap Kennedy pair. It's only just occurred to me that the fix might be this simple.

I just wondered if anyone had tried to fix what appears to be a common complaint?

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

I bought a M & W calliper some years back from Machine DRO, had a raft of correspondence from M & W regarding the gut off time all to no avail eventually returned it to Machine DRO and swapped for Mitutoyo,

Have to say Machine DRO were extremely good thoughout and very helpful

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Not sure I understand the problem with the shut off time on the M&W caliper. It's only the display that shuts off, press the on button and it displays the previous value. It hasn't become a problem for me to press the on button when I pick the caliper up. The battery lasts for ages, which is a good thing.

Rod

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

I don't rate the new Mitutoyo ( exept digital calipers ) as high as the older stuff either and the same with Starrett .

I have a few mitutoyo mics 70s-80s vintage and the only plastic bit is the label in the frame , now they have plasic ratchets and thimble grips but then again so does my swiss made Etalon 😡 .

It really depends on what you want to buy and where you will use it , if it is just a set of digital calipers from what i have seen of M&W units they are good for the price range they occupy and ok for home use .

If you want micrometers or more advanced measuring tools i would keep a look out on ebay for NOS units or even second hand if they look to be well cared for – many micrometers get purchased and spend thier life sitting in a drawer .

My M&W mic is once again 70- 80s vintage , english made and well built but the new stuff is made under contract to M&W specs so like many other once mighty manufacturers they have also turned to a re badged generic unit . There is nothing wrong with this but you have to bare in mind you may be paying more because of the name for the same unit made in the same factory as a lesser known brand .

Also these days just because it has "made in such and such country " doesn't necessarily mean 100% of the components were made there ! ( except made in China , i don't know of them importing parts in for the stuff they sell !)

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Simon Williams 3 on 27/03/2018 19:12:43:

Plus one from me in respect of the new M & W digital calipers shutting down too quickly.

Good point, that's the only complain I have about mine.

OTOH the Mitutoyo's never sleep automatically.

I think 20-30 minutes would be about right.

Neil

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

Roderick is right, it's not a problem as such just to press the ON button, and the display comes alive again. It's a good point in its favour that it doesn't re-zero on the same button. As forgetful as I am, I put the caliper down on the bench having measured something, then turn back to it a minute later and it's blanked out. Bit like me really!

I just find it a pest to have to press the ON button every time I want to use them, and would prefer not to have to. My thought is with Neil – 20 mins delay is about right, then switch off.

But don't re-zero like the Mitutoyo ones do.

Rgds to all Simon

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

My Aldi calipers switch on automatically as soon as the jaw's moved. Unlike the M&Ws, they do occasionally show magic numbers with no obvious relationship to fact, but I think the auto-switchon is a useful feature.

[Ian HewsonParticipant @ianhewson99641]

Just had an email from Bowers Group, Moore & Wright.

Hello Ian,

Good morning.

The majority of the Moore & Wright products are manufactured in the Far East although a select number of items are still manufactured in the UK.

Kind regards

Richard Fyvie

Sales Office Manager

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

There are still lots of good condition tools out there to buy second hand.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by XD 351 on 28/03/2018 07:46:03:

I don't rate the new Mitutoyo ( exept digital calipers ) as high as the older stuff either and the same with Starrett .

I have a few mitutoyo mics 70s-80s vintage and the only plastic bit is the label in the frame , now they have plasic ratchets and thimble grips but then again so does my swiss made Etalon 😡 .

It really depends on what you want to buy and where you will use it , if it is just a set of digital calipers from what i have seen of M&W units they are good for the price range they occupy and ok for home use .

If you want micrometers or more advanced measuring tools i would keep a look out on ebay for NOS units or even second hand if they look to be well cared for – many micrometers get purchased and spend thier life sitting in a drawer .

My M&W mic is once again 70- 80s vintage , english made and well built but the new stuff is made under contract to M&W specs so like many other once mighty manufacturers they have also turned to a re badged generic unit . There is nothing wrong with this but you have to bare in mind you may be paying more because of the name for the same unit made in the same factory as a lesser known brand .

Also these days just because it has "made in such and such country " doesn't necessarily mean 100% of the components were made there ! ( except made in China , i don't know of them importing parts in for the stuff they sell !)

Nooooooooooooooo! Not plastic thimble grips and ratchets!! Mitutoyo!

Jesus wept. I've been looking to treat my eyes to a pair of dial calipers, but i'm just never sure what you're getting. Finally found a decent Mit set on Ebay for 35 quid – reason for buying this set – ex MOD with calibration certificate 2002 – hence guaranteed genuine and not a fake.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by thaiguzzi on 29/03/2018 15:44:28:

Nooooooooooooooo! Not plastic thimble grips and ratchets!! Mitutoyo!

Jesus wept. I've been looking to treat my eyes to a pair of dial calipers, but i'm just never sure what you're getting. Finally found a decent Mit set on Ebay for 35 quid – reason for buying this set – ex MOD with calibration certificate 2002 – hence guaranteed genuine and not a fake.

Good practice to use plastic for the handled parts to reduce heat transfer into the tool.

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Good practice to use plastic for the handled parts to reduce heat transfer into the tool.

Thats the reason many manufacturers put such a chunky name plate on the frame right where you right where you grip it !

Thaiguzzi , as far as i know mitutoyo dial calipers were not cloned only the digital units and some DTI's

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Good practice to use plastic for the handled parts to reduce heat transfer into the tool.

Thats the reason many manufacturers put such a chunky name plate on the frame right where you right where you grip it !

Thaiguzzi , as far as i know mitutoyo dial calipers were not cloned only the digital units and some DTI's

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by XD 351 on 29/03/2018 23:57:18:

Good practice to use plastic for the handled parts to reduce heat transfer into the tool.

Thats the reason many manufacturers put such a chunky name plate on the frame right where you right where you grip it !

Thaiguzzi , as far as i know mitutoyo dial calipers were not cloned only the digital units and some DTI's

Have a look on Ebay UK. It will make you weep. Genuine Mits are anywhere from 80-120 quid. There is a plethora of sellers on there with prices starting at under 30 quid. Even states Made In China in some of the ads! As far as i'm aware, all Mit stuff is made either in Japan, USA or Brazil.

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 29/03/2018 22:17:56:

Posted by thaiguzzi on 29/03/2018 15:44:28:

Nooooooooooooooo! Not plastic thimble grips and ratchets!! Mitutoyo!

Jesus wept. I've been looking to treat my eyes to a pair of dial calipers, but i'm just never sure what you're getting. Finally found a decent Mit set on Ebay for 35 quid – reason for buying this set – ex MOD with calibration certificate 2002 – hence guaranteed genuine and not a fake.

Good practice to use plastic for the handled parts to reduce heat transfer into the tool.

No. Not having it. I do not want to see plastic on any of my measuring tools. Sorry.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

If the plastic parts are fitted for good engineering reasons then they may have a case but the suspicion lingers that they are just doing it for economic reasons. The frame which we are inclined to hold in our hand has long had heat shielding as standard or an option but the thimble must have a small risk of influencing the reading even if it does get warm, the attachment point of the thimble is the extreme end of the spindle so heat would have to travel past the nut to begin to influence the reading. I doubt that for most people most of the time that the difference between hand and ambient temperature is going to matter that much, even if you are able to detect it the difference is going to be tiny especially on a one inch instrument.

Mike

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