Posted: 7/8/2004 7:02:52 AM EDT
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I am looking at a set of calipers on eBay, to use for reloading and measuring shot groups, just wondering if this is a good set of calipers at a reasonable price. If not, which instrument would you recommend? Thanks. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=25269&item=3825141321&rd=1 |
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www.mitutoyo.com/ I prefer dials on my calipers and my other instruments also!  I guess I am old fashioned in that. BigDozer66 |
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+1 for dial. www.brownandsharpe.com/home.asp?div=pmi_products&id=9180 Brown & Sharp is what I use. |
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Those look allright for reloading. They are not Mitutoyos, so don't bid it like it was. Dial is better for reloading, as most of reloading is comparitive: Set the dial to zero once you get your basic measurement, and glance at the dial to see how your measurements vary from ideal. A digital reading takes mental figuring and is no more accurate or precise. I have two digital and two dial calipers. Dial mostly stays on the reloading bench, and digital on the mill and lathe. |
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The caliper that you are looking at is an excellent tool. I have two of them, I use them at work(Auto repair/customizing) all the time, and also for firearms related work. They are very easy to use, and just as accurate as the high priced calipers that we have at the shop. I have one for measuring inside an one for measuring outside diameters. They can be zeroed with a push of a button and the difference between two points can be easily measured without having to do the math. It's much quicker than a dial and it can give measurments in both mm or inch. I can recommend these calipers with no hesitation, I've been using mine for over a year and have trusted them to make critical measurements. When I first got mine, the Snap-On tools dealer selling them said that if I had any doubts about them that I should double check the measurements for accuracy by using the more expensive calipers that belong to the shop I work for. If they were not as accurate then he would take them back next week. I couldn't pass that offer so I took both styles he had, used them for a week, checked them against the shop's top end calipers on several measurements, and they were both spot on. I do use special automotive dial calipers on a rig to measure a few critical points when building a motor, and I could not use my new calipers for those jobs, but for anything else I find them to be an excellent caliper all around. Basically they are all using the same electronic technology for the most part, but the diffrence between the brands that I have noticed is mainly in the construction of the tool itself. By that, I mean the material used for construction of everything but the elctronic head, differs amongst the brands. Most are stainless, but that alone doesn't mean much because I have seen some stainless calipers that were very thin, these are flimsy feeling calipers that seem like they would bend if you breath on them too hard. Definitely not worth buying a second rate tool that only looks like a good one. These cheaper versions may share the same head technology, but the tool itself looks and feels like junk and I wouldn't recommend them if you plan on using them frequently. It is the more solid feeling, heavy stainless steel units that are the best. CIA is one company that makes a good quality caliper using the same electronics as most digital calipers out there today. They just feel good and are solid. CIA calipers, like the majority of digital calipers, use the SR44 button cell battery which are easily found and very inexpensive. I keep a spare in the case so it's there if I need it. Mine are made by CIA, Columbia International Automotive, I have seen a number of companies using the same electonic head assembly that are just as good or better in construction. I have a third digital caliper on order, made by another company that fits the bill of a high quality tool mfg, but I can't recall the name right now. They do however, look similar to the one you like. I paid a lot more than I should have for mine, the $nap-On dealer always marks up the price on non Snap-On items. But for a busy mechanic like myself, I don't mind the extra cost because I get personal service and a dealer who can anwser all of my questions and demonstrate a product if needed, before I buy it. I paid around $60 each for the two CIA calipers, and the third one is going to cost a little less. I'm sure they can be found elsewhere for around $40 each, but I don't have the time or patience to search. Good luck with finding a decent digital caliper. editd for speeling  |
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Ditto on the Dial. My wife bought me a set of RCBS Dial Calipers years ago and they're still in excellent shape. I've even used them on the job woking as a machinist where accuracy was critical(Jet aircraft, fuel injector nossle manufacture) and they passed inspection fine. They are made in China but they're good quality. Whatever you do don't skimp and try to save a buck, you'll be sorry in the long run. Spend the extra and get a good set and stay away from plastic ones, steel is the only way to go. 
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OK, I ended up buying these: cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4310970305&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT Thanks for all the advice, I went with 4" dial calipers. |