Casper Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html Coupon code: 12066244 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 if you need to measure .01", these are ok. if you need to measure +/- .002~3" don't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vf1000ride Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 if you need to measure .01", these are ok. if you need to measure +/- .002~3" don't bother.I have a set of digital calipers that I picked up years ago for $19. They look identical to that set but I believe came with a Mountain branding. The box is long gone and they are not marked on the tool so who really knows but I can say they are the cheap ones that everybody sells. I check them a few times a year against Mitutoyo calibration blocks and they have never been more than 0.001" off. I would put it at 90% or better of the time they are dead on. I pulled them out this morning and took the picture. The calipers aren't touching the table and the lock is not set. The tension in the mechanism alone is holding my 1inch checkblock and the reading is perfect out to 3 digits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 i'm not saying you can't get lucky, as yours clearly seems fine. i'm saying this based on having bought about a dozen of these for my guys, and i have about 2-3 that held size for more than 3 months. the other ones that still work are used for very VERY rough measurements or for the saw only (+/- .01"). so out of 12, i have maybe 3 still working reasonably well. just my personal experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I'll only buy starret or mitutoyo when it comes to precision measuring tools. Buy quality and you only have to buy it once. I have starret mics and indicators that my dad used as an apprentice that are still dead nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Go fuck yourself grease monkey, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vf1000ride Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I'll only buy starret or mitutoyo when it comes to precision measuring tools. Buy quality and you only have to buy it once. I have starret mics and indicators that my dad used as an apprentice that are still dead nuts. Mine go the other way, I have Mitutoyo mics and Starret dial indicators and bore gauges. The problem comes down to calipers. If your using them for something as critical as machine shop work than sure, spend the big money on quality stuff. You are still going to need to check calibration on them constantly and you are probably better off buying a mechanical dial caliper and not a digital anyway. For the average garage mechanic that is buying his first precision measuring tool. A $12 electronic caliper from Harbor Freight is probably going to serve him very well. It is going to get you far enough to know what you are measuring is either in or out of limits and if it gets mistreated and breaks in 2 years than it is going to still be $12-20 to replace. I have spent more than that on a crappy steak dinner, why not give it a try on one of these. If it doesn't live up to expectations then buy the $90-$150 name brand version. I agree with Jbot that I could have gotten the only one that came out of the factory that has lasted and is still accurate. I won't know as I have never needed to buy a second one. I purchased mine back in 1999 or 2000 and can be sure I didn't spend a lot for it. I have used it while working on aircraft, motorcycles and guns for years now and it has certainly outlived it's cost if it does break on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 My instruments are from back when I was a machinist. I bought quality for life. I see your point tho, for someone who just needs something more refined than a tape measure for around the garage this is probably ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anden Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Does this win the how to measure dicks contest? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vf1000ride Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 If you got it for $11.99+tax, sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Lol....you win. Can't compete with a $100k CMM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anden Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Seriously though the Fowler 24 inch calipers. Accurate as hell. One of the best purchases I've made. Everyone uses them in the shop. And cheap to anything comparable. Been kicking the idea around of picking up 40 inch ones too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 I've ways been a Browne and sharp guy ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighteningbird Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 At work I use starrett calipers and mitutoyo micrometers. At home In the garage I use fowlers. My fowler didn't hold as good of a tolerance to .0001 like the mitutoyo do. In my garage I'm not that concerned so there fine for that. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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