Does anyone have any experience with digital calipers? Do their benefits justify the added expense?

Thanks for your reply.

the digital calipers require a battery, for this reason, in most cases, i prefer the dial caliper. in a machine shop i use a vernier for most work because it is the most durable when used around fod and swarth. However the other two are easier to read. they are also bit more accurate but this is rarely an issue for rod building.

a dial caliper should be more than enough for most all your rodbuilding needs and you can compare prices here:

[www.medfordtools.com]

[www.medfordtools.com]

In Australia, imperial went out 1970, so most stuff is produced with metric scale on some with imperial and metric. I find the digital verniers calipers great as it just a press of a button to convert from digital to imperial without having to nut it out on a piece of paper. It would probably be the same for you, doing a conversion.

Regards
Myles





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2004 07:13PM by Myles Boon.

I have a set that didn't cost an arm and a leg but are accurate. I like them a great deal. I think they are worth a little extra, at least to me.
Ray

I have both dial & digital calipers but prefer the digital as it is much easier to read. It also converts from metric to inches at the push of a button. Got both from Harbor Freight a few years ago and each was very reasonably priced. The digital display blinks when the battery starts to get low so you know when to stop-off at Radioshack.

Stan

I think what I use is lower tech than either. You twist the handle and read the numbers off the top of the handle. 0-1in. to 0.001in. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2004 08:01AM by Ralph Jones.

I'm still "stuck in the dark ages" with a mechanical vernier caliper that reads both inches and milimeters on opposing edges. Probably nowhere near as accurate as a digital caliper... Maybe I'll ask Santa!

I agree with Myles, it is very convenient to be able to switch from standard to metric. Most digital calipers have a sleep mode to prevent battery drainage. I bought mine at Harbor Freight for $20 (including a spare battery), can't beat that.

Russ

I have a cheap vernier that measures in 64ths. I do like it for comparing parts but that's about all it's good for. I've used digital ones and really like them, but I'm too cheap to buy one for myself.

For actually measuring things, I'm in the short line with Ralph using an old micrometer.

I bought one at the Rod builders show last year from Mudhole(hint-hint).Maybe some suppliers will bring them to the show.The push buttom conversion is great.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Last year I bought a 4" Digital Caliper from Harbor Freight for $19.99 which included a spare battery. It has been a pleasure to use. Even with rather high S+H charges it still came in at under $30.00 which seems a great deal. Worth every penny.

Get the digitals. The cheaper ones are an absolutely amazing product for what they cost. I use the Mittutoyo at work, but at home I have one of the chinese calipers. Has worked for 10 years now. Just get one. You won't be sorry.

digital calipers=easy

I own a Sarrett digital micrometer, this last battery has lasted over five years already. The last battery lasted at least this long too.

I like the digitals because they are easy to read, and the one I own can be switched from decimal to metric readout with the push of a button. Kinda neat and very accurate tool to have around.

Lou