What digital 1" micrometer to buy

[alinwa]

We had this discussion several years ago. Jim Borden uses digital mics and calipers.

Nuff said

al

[liljoe]

I read somewhere that most of the Starrett stuff is now made across the pond. Unless it is engraved on the tool, it most likely is made somewhere else.

And yes B@S does make a slanted line mic, I have one on my case trimmer that I bought used. Not much difference reading it or the straight line ones.

I do also agree about the digital ones quitting at the wrong time. I bought a very nice Mitutoyo mic and had it quit after about 1 year. But boy it sure worked nice when it did.

Joe

[Dans40X]

A day doesn't pass for me w/o using a Starrett Multi Anvil mic.
My other mics are Brown & Sharpe friction sleeve type.

The only electronic instrument occasionally used is a 6" Brown & Sharpe caliper.

[skeetlee]

I would have to think a digital depth mic would be a plus. I dont have one, and it has been a learning curve to read my standard starrett depth mic. For some reason those things read backwards. LOL!! Lee

[JerrySharrett]

I would have to think a digital depth mic would be a plus. I dont have one, and it has been a learning curve to read my standard starrett depth mic. For some reason those things read backwards. LOL!! Lee

Remember, Skeet, it is a DEPTH micrometer. If it were a HEIGHT micrometer it would read the other way!!

(I just couldn't pass that one up!!)

[Vern]

One thing I have not seen mentioned or just overlooked it.
Get a set of good gauge blocks.
Then you can always check you mic or caliper.
Because whether it is electronic or not it can get out and having the gauge blocks does 2 things.
1 it makes sure the instrument is actually accurate
2 it gives you piece of mind that the instrument is actually accurate.

[Bob Kingsbury]

Wether your measuring with mechanical or electronic or digital, there is a certain feel that needs to be learned. The wrong
amount of pressure will not affect your reading much when measuring a guage block, but will give you bad numbers when
measuring a small pilot bushing. Measuring case necks for thickness with a ball mike is a grand example , but wandering
readings can have different reasons. Having a chest full of 5 place measuring devises will not get you there.

[chino69]

Have you seen the newer Starrett stuff?? It is pretty junky. My old Craftsman is better that the new Starrett mikes. I know several journeymen machinists that use B&S, they are the ones that got me started on them. We have a bunch of Mitutoyos, Starretts, and some chicoms at work. I hate them all!

Some day I will find a digital caliper that is worth buying but not yet.

That's sad.
Starrett used to be the gold standard in precision measuring equip't. Thank goodness all of my Starrett equipment comes from a previous time.

[SmittySquared]

Instead of creating a new thread, can someone create a list of measuring tools and accessories that a new person to reloading and benchrest should always have. These will also be applied to my hunting rifles. Do you guys tend to use mic's or calipers for most of your work?

Also, i'm the type of person who only buys tools once so that means buying the best of the best. I know these types of tools are extremely expensive so more than likely the outcome will be only purchasing one measuring tool for now. With that said, if you had to pick one measuring tool to do your general work which would it be? A caliper or a mic?

[bill larson]

All the mechanical digitals I've seen have too many moving parts to be 1) reliable and 2) accurate.

Your question about slant vs straight graduations, if you mean what I think you mean, your opinion is correct. Are both features offered by B&S??

BTW, I've never seen too many full time journeyman machinists or Tool and Die folks use B&S. Most used Starrett. Mitutoyo, or Lufkin.

Nowdays I guess it probably doesn't matter since they are all probably made in ChiCom slave labor tents.....note that many of these ChiCom shops are just that-tents!!

I earned a living for 40 years as a machinist.Own my own tools....Have no faith in digital...to many pieces..Buy a std. mic that`ll read in .0001"`s and learn how to use it....
bill larson

[SmittySquared]

I earned a living for 40 years as a machinist.Own my own tools....Have no faith in digital...to many pieces..Buy a std. mic that`ll read in .0001"`s and learn how to use it....
bill larson

Do you have a recommendation?

[mike in co]

for cartridge oal or ogive lenght, calipers are the way to go. that and a bullet comparitor of some type.
digital work fine

for bullet dia, neck dia etc...a 1" mic.....mechanical digital works as does just straight mechanical...i do own some electronic digital..not cheap.

neither work well for neck wall thickness...that a whole 'nother tool.....and you need 4 places, so not cheap again.
those three i think will serve a nonmachinist loader.....
mike in co

[SmittySquared]

So when we are looking to purchase a Mic or a set of calipers, at what point do you say "this is too expensive or this is too cheap?" I can go online and see a ton of different makers out there that offer the same type of tool but at prices that are beyond my reach or prices that make you question the quality.

And why can't a caliper be used to measure bullet and neck dia? Accuracy?

[mike in co]

measuring to .0001 is a feel technique.....
calipers are typically not 4 place, and thier physical size is not user friendly when measuring small things.

as to price i cannot help too much. half of my mic's were bought in japan in the early 70's. i think i have about $100 in 4 mics, the smallest of which is a mechanical digita accurate to .001mm( thats 0.0000394") mitutoyo's. 193-111 on amazon right now for $156 shipped is a deal.
buy name brands, buy what is a bit more than you think you want to spend.
i picked up a electronic digital 1" double ball end mitutoyo mic (.00005")for $60 a couple years back..that is a $300 mic.so keep your eyes open.
mike in co

[SmittySquared]

This have absolutely everything a person would need on how to determine what to purchase and more.

http://longislandindicator.com/p11.html

They did a fantastic job on this website.