Which digital caliper to buy?

[nmccubbin]

I need a new 6"/150mm digital caliper
They range from $12 to $2000 on Amazon. I am happy to spend above the bottom, but nowhere near the top
Main use is to measure stuff on board for having machining done, so accurate to about 0.01"
Definitely auto power off, and without the flimsy battery retainers that fall off

Recommendations welcome

Thanks

[markxengineerin]

.010" is 10x less accurate than a decent caliper should be. These are my favorite https://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-Adva.../dp/B00WMKUUAQ although probably would not purchase from Amazon (fakes are an issue). McMaster Carr, Grainger, MSC or some other more reliable source preferred.

[MikeHoncho]

Harbor Freight.........

[bbalan]

I purchased this 9 years ago and have been very happy with it.


https://www.zoro.com/general-tools-0...47/i/G0266655/


It was only $25 then.
Cheers,
Bruce

[nmccubbin]

I mentioned accuracy of 0.010" in my original post
Typo
I meant 0.001"

[pjShap]

I prefer dial calipers. The electronic display batteries often run down when you don't use it often. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0142HWYIW/

[trswem]

I'd encourage you to look at a dial caliper. I have digital and dials and end up using the dial the most because invariably I end up with a dead battery. The Starrett 3206-6 is amazing, it's one of my absolute favorite tools to reach for. $101 on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[dlj]

I used to use dial calipers all the time. I still have an old vernier caliper but that one i now only use for specific applications. It has a locking mechanism that locks and with a thumb screw very precise movement can be done that then does not move again.

I updated my dial caliper to a digital mitutoyo as per the first recommendation. It's a superb caliper. I've owned it for probably about 15 years and have only had to change the battery a couple times in that time period. Foe the first 10 years of owning it, I used it daily, multiple times a day. The first battery change was probably 2 to 3 years after original purchase. When the battery is starting to get low, the caliper does not "just not work". It gives an indication on the display that the battery is getting low. It runs a pretty decent amount of time after that before it dies. Sorry, don't remember what that time is. From my perspective, i would not worry about battery life. If I were heading off shore for an extended period of time I'd either put a new battery in it or pick up a spare and carry it.

Just my two cents worth...

dj

[JPK]

Several years ago, I purchased a Mitutoyo solar-powered digital caliper (Mitutoyo 500-474). They've been flawless for six years now, and not having to replace batteries is fabulous. A quick search reveals that this model has been discontinued, but I'm guessing there's a newer model available.

[Scrimshaw4]

I don't mean to be snarky but if you want .001 accuracy then at what constant temperature are you doing your measurements and subsequent machining?

[dlj]

Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4

I don't mean to be snarky but if you want .001 accuracy then at what constant temperature are you doing your measurements and subsequent machining?

Without being snarky, you are off by a decimal point. 0.001 inch accuracy is standard for calipers. Temperature control in measurements is required for measurements in the range of 0.0001 inches or greater. It is also used during calibration of instruments, but for hand held calipers, 0.001 inch accuracy is the norm.

dj

[Scrimshaw4]

Mia Copa

[CrispyCringle]

I have a nice digital, but everytime I go to use it it needs a new battery. Its been unused for a few years now because of that "feature". I ended up buying a cheapo plastic one with mm and inch scale. Works for 99.9% of the things I need it for. For the more precise stuff, I have a nice dial unit. Or, I'll get new batteries :-/

[Spot]

In the boat toolbox I use an inexpensive composite vernier caliper, at home (currently 30 feet from the boat) I have a digital in the garage and and a dual-read dial indicator at my desk. The digital caliper had been loaned out and lost its battery cover and I found a file for 3D printing a replacement on thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:343287

[jcapo]

I got tired of the cheap calipers eating batteries so I spent a bit more an bought a Shars based on a Youtube review comparing Shars to Mitutoyo.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've used it for 6 months on the original battery. Its accurate enough for me to determine that an M8 bolt is not a 5/16" bolt.