digital caliper

Hi all, my current caliper is beginning to show it's cheap generic origin so thinking of upgrading to a better quality. (a few unsubtle christmas hints maybe)

I was thinking of Mitotoyu, any comments on these or a less expensive alternative (but better quality than the 20 quid ones) would be appreciated.

Bill D.

After having my not so cheap Measuremax 8" go haywire, I bought a Mitutoyo 8". I use a 6" clock face type for everyday use.

Bill I would go for Mitutoyo, I did try a Moore & Wright but it had an auto shut off that operated in far too short a time. Don't have the exact numbers right now but if you want them PM me

Regards John

I've had my 8" Mitutoyo digital for over 30 years .... still going strong .... put the odd battery in it - not very many at that. I think the latest ones don't even have an off-switch because of the low power consumption.

Mitutoyo is probably the standard by which others are judged and has been for years. Perhaps pricier than some but not really a big outlay. I can't imagine that you'd regret the purchase.

Edited By Bandersnatch on 23/10/2015 23:13:12

I use an 8" mitutoyo as well. Coolant Proof, Absolute. Several years and no problems. I changed the battery the other day - not that the original one was flat.

I feel the extra 2in is worth having but some who use them for everything might find them cumbersome. I use mic's on a lathe what ever I am turning.

John

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Watch out for clones of the mitutoyo callipers and dti's you can check on thier website for what to look for to pick a clone from genuine.

Buy from a reputable tool store and you should have no problems , stay away from the ebay ones some sellers use a photo of genuine set but supply a clone which is difficult to pick from the real mcoy if you dont know what to look for.

Starrett are another good item but i feel not as nice as mitutoyo , they just seem to feel a fraction smoother but the accuracy is identical.

I just scored a set of 6 inch starrett callipers , brand new for $99 au so saved about $100 .

I have a few items made by measumax and they seem ok although none of my items are electronic .

Ian

I have used a Mitutoyo one for over 20 years and it is still silky smooth in operation and the batteries last for ages even when I forget to switch it off. I also have a couple of £10 Aldi ones which I can't fault for accuracy, but they feel a bit rough and the batteries don't last as long. They both have their uses but the Mitutoyo ones just feel so much nicer in operation..

Doug

On offer at the moment:

**LINK**

I decided to treat myself to some good digital callipers after my Aldi ones died.

Hoping that the new ones would not eat batteries, I plumped for a Mitutoyo 500-196-30 6"/150mm. It works well but is frustrating because every time I turn it on, it shows a number that came up when the battery was first installed new. (As per the instructions).

The second one I got was a Moore and Wright MW110-15DBL Basic Line 110-DBL Series. It uses a CR2032 battery instead of the usual SR44. I prefer it to the Mitutoyo, especially as it was about half the price.

I've had both for over a year and neither have had batteries replaced.
Both are accurate for my metal butchery, so it is down to personal preference, I guess.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Genuine Mitutoyo items are sometimes sold at substantially reduced prices. This might even because the shelf life is up. They will have one. Sometimes manufactureres discount goods to suppliers as well. Personally I wouldn't rule out buying them. All of mine have come like that. After a number of items have been measured including various setting bars, reamers and what ever I think rubbish would easily be sorted out. As a for instance I tested the setting bar that came with the super cheap draper mic I posted about recently. Mitutoyo reckons it's 1um out. The mitutoyo was at it's max measurement range.

John

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Vic's link is the one I have and it's very nice. Must have had it for 2 years and still on the initial battery.

Only minor gripe is that there is no auto shutoff - I often come back to it next day (or the one after) and it's still on....but can't complain seeing the battery life so far.

Hi steamdave, I like you have just brought a Mitutoyo 500-196-30 to replace my older same brand one which still gives exellent service. The new one is called Absolute which can be set to zero or any number when the battery is first fitted, then the recessed origin button is pressed to retain this setting until it is again reset. So I do not think it should show the number you say comes on every time it turns on if you have reset it to zero (thats my understanding). The advantage of this absolute model is that you do not have to keep zeroing it every time for the correct measurement. One of the irritations of the older model was that when I zeroed it, it could get a small metal sliver between the jaws due to magnetic attraction, which would upset a correct zero setting. I was constantly wiping the jaws to achieve a correct zero setting. This has now been solved somewhat by making a simple demagnetizer that Mike Cox wrote up in MEW234, Thanks Mike.

Alan

The Mitutoyo are very good. I can't ever remember a battery going flat in one while you have to keep changing batteries in the cheap ones.

Maybe I'll have to re-read the instructions to remove the frustration !

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Looks like Mitotoyu then, thanks for all the replies guys.

Bill D.