I know calipers aren't your standard garage tool but I am studying to be a cnc machinist and calipers are recomended to have in the buessness. according to my teacher the cheapy $30 digital calipers from china aren't that accurate. Are the nice brands ones really worth it. I am very picky with measurements and don't like being inaccurate In the machine shop. My new favorite expression is that is tape measure work. lol sorry inside joke.
the digital slide calipers can only be so accurate. for general fab work and measuring bolts and stuff, they are fine.. but I wouldn't want to machine an engine using those for my only measurement tools.
I bought a regular set of standard micrometers for precise engine work, and leave my digital caliper on the work bench for random usage.
Yeah, I second the dial caliper. Worked as a machinest for 3 yrs before I got sick of it... Digitals just don't cut it, get a Starett or Mititoyo. Oh, and engrave your initials on it if you get into a shop.
Alright sounds good espically the engraving the initials. But is a starret dial caliper really more accurate than a digital one? And are your micrometers vernier scale and if not do you dislike vernier's scale?
Like everything else, you get what you pay for. You can do a cheapie, and with care, it may serve you well. It seemed to me that the cheaper ones had to be calibrated nearly everyday at my shop. It wasn't a big deal because the shop had gauge blocks to set them, but if you weren't working at a shop that had the gear to calibrate it you might be spending more in calibration over the long run. Bottom line: If you are pretty sure you will have that caliper for a long time, spend the money now.
I always used vernier scale mics, just what we had at our shop.
For school, if you're just studying for now, get a relatively cheap one. You don't need a 300 dollar caliper right now because you're just a student. If you're already working on the side and your studying also, then you may want to consider a more expensive one.
The stuff made in China is constantly getting better and better. It may not seem like it now but if you compare it to maybe 3-4 yrs ago the calipers coming from there are better quality... as for accuracy and precision I don't know how they compare to more trusted brands listed above.
Linear Mode
