Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Starrett, Mitutoyo, etc.

Haven't worked in a machine shop in 26 years. Hate to hear Starrett has gone down hill. They were the standard back then. I still have my Dads B&S dial calipers and they just feel like quality.

Over the past 50 years I have used every brand of caliper out there at work and in my own shop. I now don’t use anything except B&S. Nothing else comes close and don’t get me started on digitals. I have at least five sets on my various work benches, all purchased on eBay at $50.00 or less.

👍

Agree 100%

I have an old Central vernier caliper on my loading bench. These days I need my reading glasses to use it, but it's accurate enough and very reliable.

I was loathe to mention it but a plain vanilla vernier caliper can be claimed to be more accurate over the long run than a dial or digital vernier caliper. Nothing to go out of whack and no battery to run down/die. Trouble is I'll bet not very many folks know how to read one anymore. I have one with the "Mauser" logo engraved on it and use it occasionally for sh*ts and giggles but like Mathman, my eyes aren't up to snuff for easy usage.

True. Problem with them is they're often very difficult to read and, so, prone to error from misreading.

Years ago, Crossfire tried to give me a 48" vernier caliper. That was a big precision instrument. I think it was Helios

Glad the vernier was brought up. Yes it takes good eyes. That's why old surveyors always had a magnifying loop hung on their neck. Bullet proof.

Wayne, Stan Ware had a vintage vernier in his shop with a magnifying loupe....it belonged to his Dad who was also a 'smith.

I thought of you the other day when using the collet guided tap guide you tipped me to on a Kodiak...love it. Thanks again for the tip!

Good shootin' -Al

I have an inexpensive magnifying desk lamp on my bench to assist reading vernier tools, and a portable one to read the vernier table scales on my Index model 40 mill. I don't know about current Starrett quality, but be careful where you buy from. There are a lot of faked tools out there on various web stores, Mitutoyo especially. I'm certain that all the manufacturers have off-shored or brand labeled at least part of their production for their lower level product lines, and this often enables fakes.

There is an old guy in Tucson who refurbishes and sells all kind of used machine tools. Big warehouse type building and a shop area in the back. I stop in once in a while to look around and talk to him. He is either very knowledgeable or a good BS’er.

I have Starett and an Ames dial indicator that need to be rebuilt. He said it’s not worth it. He said the quality of Chinese and Taiwanese instruments has improved and US made instruments have declined. He said even the cheap Taiwanese indicators are very accurate.

I have an ancient Index Super 55. Photo shows as found condition.

Aren’t ya glad we have such a meatball for a poster to correct us on such frivolous bs ?

A lot of you guys are griping about being able to read the vernier caliper with those old eyes. Do yourself a favor and buy a good digital. These are 23 years old and still going strong:



Why you old mother fu ckers are always trying to make schidt harder is beyond me...

Pride, stubborn pride, what else ?

So Harbor Freight calipers suit me fine for handloading ammunition. Machining, different story.

What brings you out from trolling the reloading section, Zerk, Maser, whoever you are?



Not AT ALL surprised.

Stirring the shi t in your pot

Is the most enjoyable part of being in this forum