Digital calipers

[cmac]

Hey guys,
I think it's time I get a decent set of digital calipers. Any sugestions on size, type, brand...etc. I don't want to buy anything too expensive but I don't want to waste my money either.
Thanks in advance.

[Blazerss]

Well I only have experience with non digital calipers myself. My teacher through my cnc machine tool program would only use non digital calipers, so i have just been the same way. The only brand I usually buy is starrett. IMO, they are the best, but they are pricey.

I too would like to know recommendations on a good pair of digitals, because I have considerded getting a set and trying them out myself.

[bdebde]

Harbor Freight has some very cheap ones, yet still quite accurate.

[snellemin]

Plus 1 on the Harbor Freight one.

[whitrzac]

A dial will always be more accurate.



I use the 6in digital from HF, it fits nicely in most boxes so you don't need the bulky case.

[TexasSP]

I have a good set of Mitutoyo Digital Calipers that I use.

These were ASME/ASTM/Mil Spec/ISO/AS9100 Certified and can be had for anywhere from 80-120. Guaranteed as accurate as any dial caliper.

If you don't need accuracy into the thousandths, the harbor freight units should be fine.

[cmac]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

I have a good set of Mitutoyo Digital Calipers that I use.

These were ASME/ASTM/Mil Spec/ISO/AS9100 Certified and can be had for anywhere from 80-120. Guaranteed as accurate as any dial caliper.

If you don't need accuracy into the thousandths, the harbor freight units should be fine.

Yes I have seen the Mitutoyo's on Ebay, but I think that's a little more than I want to spend. I appreciate a precision instrument, but I think it's a little more than I need.

[bruce750i]

I was sad my HF set doesn't read to the hundredths:( Do they make a solar power set? I always leave mine on.

[K1RC]

Don't want to hijack your thread cmac but could anyone tell me what the cheapest digital callipers are? Thanks

[whitrzac]

harbor fright, I picked up my 6in set for <$10 on sale,,,

[josh9mille]

Originally Posted by bruce750i

I was sad my HF set doesn't read to the hundredths:( Do they make a solar power set? I always leave mine on.

Are you sure you dont mean thousandths?

[bdebde]

Yeah, less than $10 on sale... even cheaper for me since I get family discount (my daughter works there). I got the 4inch one... it does thousandths (inch), and hundredths (metric).

Originally Posted by K1RC

Don't want to hijack your thread cmac but could anyone tell me what the cheapest digital callipers are? Thanks

You may not have a Harbor Freight over the pond.

[cmac]

Well guys I ended up getting one of these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CEN-TECH-6-D...item27c28ec33e

[J57ltr]

Those are the same brand sold by HF, they work ok when they work, but most of the time they turn them selves on and run the battery out. I have a set of 6" and a set of 4" and nothing but problems with the 4" Any time they move they turn on and any time I close the case they turn on. So the batteries are always dead unless I remove it. They are as accurate as my Mitutyo dial calipers, but not near as reliable. I have been through 3 sets of the 4" and I decided to junk them and just stick with the dial calipers. They are easy to read (unless some tries to clean the dial with solvent), and in no time you can read a dial as fast as a digital set.

Personally if you use them all the time, spend the money and get a good set. If you just use them once in a blue moon then they should be fine for you, just remember to remove the battery. Also you might want someone to make you a little block so you can check them and make sure they are still linear. I use a block that I machined to 1" X 2" X 3" to .0005"

Jeff

[JERRY2KONE]

You should have placed an order for some bearings at VXB bearings. Who doesn't need bearings in this hobby, right? I have a nice digital caliper that was a gift from VXB for purchasing bearings. I believe they also sell them really cheap as well. Mine came with three batteries which last about a year each, and after a few years I finally had to purchase some new batteries for it. Very dependable calipers and as accurate as we need for an R/C project.