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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,433
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,433 |
I recently got an 8" digital caliper that seems the perfect length - NO - it's not necessary but I really like using it at the reloading bench. To me it seems just the right amount of handhold remaining when measuring a LA cartridge with the Hornady comparators...
"I can't be canceled, because, I don't give a fuuck!" --- Kid Rock 2022
Holocaust Deniers, the ultimate perverted dipchits: Bristoe, TheRealHawkeye, stophel, Ghostinthemachine, anyone else?
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,313
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,313 |
This is the calipers I use. Mitutoyo ABSOLUTE 500-197-20, I have used them since 1992 and only changed the battery twice. Mine has a different color and style because of it's age.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6 |
Mitutoyo Dial for me. Haven't changed a battery in one for close to 20 years, either Your dial caliper has a battery ? One of the benefits to a dial is there isn't a battery to change
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,944
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,944 |
I'd not recommend the Lyman. I have one of the dial version, and it's just not well made. Readings vary, ever-so-slightly. It's just a cheap piece. My dad has a Craftsman dial caliper that he bought when we first started reloading, roughly 30 years ago, and it's still tight and smooth to work with. I'm starting now to build my workshop and that includes my reloading equipment. So this post is right on time.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 102
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 102 |
Beware the Mitutoyo fakes. There's info on the web of how to pick them.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
Mitutoyo Dial for me. Haven't changed a battery in one for close to 20 years, either Your dial caliper has a battery ? One of the benefits to a dial is there isn't a battery to change I hear you, changing that battery every 12 years is a real pain in the ass.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6 |
Mitutoyo Dial for me. Haven't changed a battery in one for close to 20 years, either Your dial caliper has a battery ? One of the benefits to a dial is there isn't a battery to change I hear you, changing that battery every 12 years is a real pain in the ass. Hard for a dial to have an electrical failure...
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent caliper in the less than $100 range?
Hard to beat the digital Mitutoyo for $100. That said, the instrument lab at my work has been using several Hazard Frought digital calipers for years. Many of the mechanics, techs, and engineers have their own calipers but those that don't borrow the HF units from the lab. They've held up just fine (and being loaners they don't get gentle treatment). They get regular calibration inspections with traceable reference gages/blocks. We're an ISO 9001 facility. But if you're willing to spend $100, I'd just get the Mitutoyo. The Hazard Froughts seem to work fine if you get a good one but the battery covers are weak and they seem to drain the batteries even when not in use. Jason
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,061
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,061 |
Another fan of the (especially Mitutoyo) dial caliper. Though I regularly also use a Starrett, Browne & Sharpe, an ancient (excellent) Chinese 6", and a well-used, plastic, General cheapie.
"There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon
"...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301 |
My machinist toolbox had both digital and dial calipers. Digital went to 24" dial to 18". Prows and cons to both. None of them do well with the drop test. Now I use only my thirty plus year old Starrett 6" and they still do what I need them to do. There are advantages to the Mitutoyo in dirty environments as they do a better job of keeping the rack covered.
As to digital, for most use the cheep are almost as good as those costing a lot more. Battery life is great on most and they are more forgiving than dials in dirt. I do laugh at those that read to 0.0005" as standard calibration for any caliper is 0.002" over any 6" of their length. Good enough for most reloading work.
The first time I shot myself in the head...
Meniere's Sucks Big Time!!!
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145 |
Chris
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145 |
Mitutoyo Dial for me. Haven't changed a battery in one for close to 20 years, either Your dial caliper has a battery ? One of the benefits to a dial is there isn't a battery to change I hear you, changing that battery every 12 years is a real pain in the ass. Hard for a dial to have an electrical failure... Using a dial caliper with a bullet comparator is a PITA. I have both, and the digitals are just faster.
Chris
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145 |
This one is getting good reviews and seems to be a good value...
Chris
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,055
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,055 |
Mine are American made Starrett - everybody these days is cheapening the brand whatever the product. Unless you need to work with a Datamyte and machinists milk I suggest whatever catches your eye and call it good. Given the expected lifetime of use it doesn't hurt to buy the best but it doesn't help anything either. Mitutoyo dial for the long haul but disposable will do for reloading.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
Mitutoyo Dial for me. Haven't changed a battery in one for close to 20 years, either Your dial caliper has a battery ? One of the benefits to a dial is there isn't a battery to change I hear you, changing that battery every 12 years is a real pain in the ass. Hard for a dial to have an electrical failure... I'm guessing your truck has a pull start?
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 168 |
I now use the old Helios E.German dial calipers probably last the rest of my life, also had harbor freight digital and frankford arsenal dial before but they would crap out after 8-12 months.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,539 Likes: 6 |
I'm guessing your truck has a pull start? Nah, I always make sure my trucks are push start. How about you, your truck have a digital steering wheel? I prefer analog, myself...
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,666 Likes: 39
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,666 Likes: 39 |
I use an American Sterett, I have a dial and digital.
I am MAGA.
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