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Best set of calipers?

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  • Member since
    June 2016
Best set of calipers?
Posted by TxAggie05 on Sunday, May 13, 2018 5:12 PM

im looking to get a set of calipers. What are the best ones to get and what should I look for in a set?

thanks

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Parker City, IN.
Posted by Rambo on Sunday, May 13, 2018 5:56 PM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LPIWAYO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526251478&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mitutoyo+caliper+digital&dpPl=1&dpID=31gy93QtegL&ref=plSrch

This is what I use at work best set I ever had. Overkill for model building but if wanting to use for other purposes as well I would go for them. Just for model building you could probably use some from harbor freight.

Clint

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, May 14, 2018 9:11 AM

Rambo

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LPIWAYO/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526251478&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mitutoyo+caliper+digital&dpPl=1&dpID=31gy93QtegL&ref=plSrch

This is what I use at work best set I ever had. Overkill for model building but if wanting to use for other purposes as well I would go for them. Just for model building you could probably use some from harbor freight.

 

I bought mine from Harbor Freight, on sale for, I believe, 7 bucks.  Works great.  Reliability may not be great- it is my second one.  The first lasted four or five years.  But at the prices they ask I consider it worth it, as high end ones go for several times what I paid at H F.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2017
  • From: ohio I want to leave
Posted by armor 2.0 on Monday, May 14, 2018 9:21 AM

I also bought a set at harbor freight there probably 6or 7 years old still work great

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Monday, May 14, 2018 9:23 AM

I agree with Clint and Don, get a cheaper caliper.

I still have my original Starrett analog caliper from work in the 70's in my toolbox (now for models) downstairs. Even it is overkill. Except maybe when measuring some of the tiny drill diameters we use.

I must admit, though I don't use it much, it comes in handy occasionally.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Monday, May 14, 2018 10:17 AM

Got two of these, one for the shop, one for the model cave. decimal inches, fractional inches, MM. I use it to convert from one to the other as well as actually measuring things.  https://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3124&category=   

They have other models as well.

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Wyoming Michigan
Posted by ejhammer on Thursday, May 17, 2018 9:21 AM
Better yet, this week they're on sale! https://littlemachineshop.com/products/weekly_special.php

Completed - 1/525 Round Two Lindberg repop of T2A tanker done as USS MATTAPONI, USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa Dec 1942, USS Yorktown 1/700 Trumpeter 1943. In The Yards - USS ESSEX 1/700 Hasegawa 1945, USS ESSEX 1/700 Dragon 1944, USS ESSEX 1/700 Trumpeter 1945, USS ESSEX 1/540 Revell (vintage) 1962, USS ESSEX 1/350 Trumpeter 1942, USS ESSEX LHD-2 as commissioned, converted from USS Wasp kit Gallery Models. Plus 35 other plastic and wood ship kits.

  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by Paul Budzik on Friday, May 18, 2018 12:04 PM

I reckon you're using a calper to get precise measurments.  If not use a ruler.  But if you're looking for accuracy, why fool around with hit or miss.  Get a good quality measuring tool and you'll have it for life.  I strongly suggest either Starrett or Mitutoyo. Something you can count on.

 

Paul

http://paulbudzik.com/tools-techniques/Measuring%20Tools/measuring-tools.html

Paul

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, May 19, 2018 9:50 AM

I check my Harbor Freight cheapies every so often.  They seem to be both accurate and repeatable.  Reliability is something else- had to replace them after seven or eigth years, but for that price I am not complaining.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Bucks county, PA
Posted by Bucksco on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 3:05 PM

Worked in a machine shop and the measuring tools of choice were Mitutoyo.

https://ecatalog.mitutoyo.com/Calipers-C1331.aspx

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 4:17 PM

I have a Craftsman analog (vernier) calipr that I've owned for probably 40 years.

It's a little stiff, but it works well and doesn't move on me.

At least for me, it's most useful transfering a dimension, as opposed to giving me a number.

Probably cost around $ 25.00.

Starrett? Nice, but don't those cost thousands?

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

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