Should I buy a posher digital micrometer/caliper?

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

There is a Youtube video where somebody is comparing a Mitutoyo caliper with a few low cost brands or Mitutoyo clones. This are some of the conclusions that I remember:

• Mitutoyo consume less power
• It has absolute sensor
• Some cheaper models don't shut down when battery is low but give wrong readings instead. This could be a serious issue.
• Mitutoyo has specified accuracy

I'm trying to find a serious flaw to my no name >10 years old caliper to have a justification to buy a more expensive one but no luck so far. The battery life (biggest issue of cheap models) is not that bad. You can also use SR batteries instead of LR.

These days should arrive a Shahe micrometer. From my research it is one of the best low cost options available now.

Edited By Sonic Escape on 26/04/2023 18:20:53

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

I have 3 of these, 1 for rough use, 1 for workshop, 1 spare if either of t'others should develop probs.:-

M&W calipers

I got from Machione-DRO but there are other dealers at decent prices.

I think they're a decent compromise, and they're adequate for most work.

Edited By Mick B1 on 26/04/2023 18:57:56

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I have Mitutoyos and a Tesa but recently have bought a Dasqua and it is excellent and 1/3 of the price. There are several variations to choose from.

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

On thee subject of batteries I use silver oxide type, based on advice from Arc Eurotrade, longer lasting and more stable voltage apparently.

Bill D.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I use the cheap Aldi digital calipers for every day use and class them as a throw away tool.

Better than those are IP54 rated calipers which are made to a better standard and are waterproof. Available on ebay from $40 – $90 depending on discount. Battery in mine lasts for more than a year

[Neil LickfoldParticipant @neillickfold44316]

Carefully stoning and polishing the slides of the cheaper calipers, gives them the nice feel of what the Mitutoyo ones does. I did that to my Insize calipers. Made the world of difference. When needing to use the calipers for something that matters, I use it like a comparator and use a set of gauges to preset the caliper on. Where ever possible I prefer micrometers for measurements.

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

i invested in a Mitutoyo digital caliper last year after getting tired of the sheer waste, cost and inconvenience of replacing batteries virtually every time I need to use the cheap one. Great investment, so much better feel and battery life is a magnitude better.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Posted by Neil Lickfold on 27/04/2023 09:52:58:

Carefully stoning and polishing the slides of the cheaper calipers, gives them the nice feel of what the Mitutoyo ones does. I did that to my Insize calipers. Made the world of difference. When needing to use the calipers for something that matters, I use it like a comparator and use a set of gauges to preset the caliper on. Where ever possible I prefer micrometers for measurements.

I used the fine diamond lap I use for carbide router cutters to improve the feel of a cheap but not the cheapest caliper, it is silky smooth now. I just gave all the guide surfaces of the scale a minimal rub with the lap but did nothing with the sliding head guides.

Mike

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

My ols LIDL calliper is dalling apart (The thumbwheel fell of ages ago, and the battery cover kept on with an O ring )

Occasiobnally have to remove the battery to let it get its act together again, but not as frequently as the vertical DRO on the mill.

The M & W , boughtb after bthe MEW review of callipers is nicer, and doesn't need a battery as frequently, but not used for dirtyn jobs.

A Starrett 0 1" mic gets used to check sizes from time to time.

But, my general rule is"If it ain't broke; don't fix it!"

Howard

Edited By Howard Lewis on 27/04/2023 13:33:47

[Paul McDonoughParticipant @paulmcdonough43628]

I know its dangerous but I have just watched a youtube video comparing budget and 'posh' calipers and it has got me looking at a Mitutoyo absolute caliper.

The thing is the money could buy a fair weight in metal stock too!

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Paul McDonough on 27/04/2023 17:16:09:

I know its dangerous but I have just watched a youtube video comparing budget and 'posh' calipers and it has got me looking at a Mitutoyo absolute caliper.

The thing is the money could buy a fair weight in metal stock too!

Forget that word ‘posh’. They are either cheaper ‘budget’ items or better in one (or likely several) way(s) or another. Machinists generally don’t buy just to be posh. For instance, my better dro on one of my mills reads millimetres to 3 decimal places, but my budget version on t’other mill reads to only two dps. I don’t actually use that third dp, but am confident that it is actually closer to the truth than the cheaper one, when needing that second dp to be trusted.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by not done it yet on 27/04/2023 20:33:17:

Posted by Paul McDonough on 27/04/2023 17:16:09:

I know its dangerous but I have just watched a youtube video comparing budget and 'posh' calipers and it has got me looking at a Mitutoyo absolute caliper.

The thing is the money could buy a fair weight in metal stock too!

Forget that word ‘posh’. They are either cheaper ‘budget’ items or better in one (or likely several) way(s) or another. Machinists generally don’t buy just to be posh. …

Machinists shouldn't go for posh, though they often do, especially when the firm is paying. Special discipline is needed to resist temptation and most of us only believe we have it!

Circa 1980 I remember reading a study of the purchasing decisions of grizzled experienced engineers at a professional trade show. It showed they had a strong bias towards buying from stands where the display included an attractive young woman in a swimsuit! They denied it of course, but the statistics showed otherwise.

Model engineers are free to spend their money as they want, and many take pleasure in owning 'the best'. Can't object to that – the purpose of a hobby is to have fun!

Less creditable though are the blokes who buy top gear just for bragging rights. We've all met 'em – the kind of chap who forces the conversation round to his new Porsche having NOX fitted because it was sluggish at traffic lights, and how much trouble he had finding a particularly expensive personalised number plate. (A1 GIT). The English are terribly polite, so braggers never find out ordinary folk believe they're probably impotent, live with their mother, and certainly need professional help…

Dave

[Paul McDonoughParticipant @paulmcdonough43628]

I understand, and I only used the expression as a whimsical term, I meant, 'trusted brand' it was just easier and perhaps a little playful to use the expression 'posh'

I rarely buy the most expensive of anything, (I can't afford it anyway) I make judgements on most things but from time to time I regret buying the budget option as buying again to remedy the situation negates the original saving.

In terms of Digital calipers, I don't suppose the trusted brand devices are any more accurate than the budget option in terms of my needs, as for dependability, well based on my experience I am not so sure.

I was, if nothing else curious to see how others view the importance of trusted branded precision measuring devices. I think I have my answer, thank you all..

Edited By Paul McDonough on 28/04/2023 17:47:56

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

Some years back I bought a Tack Life digital caliper from Amazon. This after a number of short lived supermarket calipers some of which sometimes decided to add 500 or so on to my measurement and most of which forgot their zero-or died horribly!

At the time it was not much more than the Aldi contributions. It's still going strong and I like it so much I've bought another one direct from China (apparently Amazon booted them out) despite paying as much for shipping as for the device.

I suppose I'm saying that there are really good and not too expensive options as well as cheap ones and really good ones.

Iain

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Iain Downs on 28/04/2023 17:58:08:…

I suppose I'm saying that there are really good and not too expensive options as well as cheap ones and really good ones.

Iain

The hard part is finding out which is which!

Buying the likes of Mitutoyo takes the risk out of it but when a 500-161-30 costs £158.20 plus VAT, I compare it to the number of batteries and cheapo calipers I can get for the same money and destroy! My Lidl caliper still works despite being smashed and experimented on. It was £6.99, batteries included. If I'd been forced to buy ten to get a good one, I'd still be well ahead £.

Be very pleased to get a Mitutoyo as a xmas present though!

Dave

[Paul McDonoughParticipant @paulmcdonough43628]

“Be very pleased to get a Mitutoyo as a xmas present though!”

me too!

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I bought a 4” (100mm – can’t remember how it was described) – from Lee Valley, in Ottawa, about 20 years ago. It was expensive at 25 dollars Ca. or maybe even 25 GBP (again, can’t remember). Not quite as ‘comfortable’ as a mitutoyo, but still gives good service – and so much easier in tight spaces.

[Anonymous]

Posted by Stuart Bridger on 27/04/2023 09:59:19:

i invested in a Mitutoyo digital caliper last year after getting tired of the sheer waste, cost and inconvenience of replacing batteries virtually every time I need to use the cheap one. Great investment, so much better feel and battery life is a magnitude better.

Just to make the point that decent battery life is not necessarily a Mitutoyo (etc) vs "cheap" caliper thing. I bought a 6" IP54 digital from a local tool company (KBC) a few years ago … around $59 CDN on regular sale as I recall.

I invariably leave it switched on and it doesn't blank the display so it's still on at next use. To my recollection, I have never changed the battery.

I agree though that many of the cheap Eastern calipers do race through batteries (and fail to blank the display if left on).

[Author]

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