Caliper: Digital or Dial?
- Thread starter Zims Rack
- Start date
V
((VH))
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Zims Rack said:
Zim,
I prefer digital calipers if you use them for cues. No question about it.
If you want a good quality US made digital caliper, a good option is on ebay look for the seller 800watt he sells 4-8" digital calipers for a good price. It's the same thing they sell on online shops for half the price
Thanks! I'll check on it today! I will be receiving my Mid-Size Cue Smith lathe next week and am getting other things that I'll need.((VH)) said:Zim,
I prefer digital calipers if you use them for cues. No question about it.
If you want a good quality US made digital caliper, a good option is on ebay look for the seller 800watt he sells 4-8" digital calipers for a good price. It's the same thing they sell on online shops for half the price
Zim
Zims Rack said:
I like digital. Under no circumstances should you buy cheap ones thought. They are a tool that will last you many years if taken care of. The few extra dollars for a quality set is money well spent.
Mitutoyo is my favorite but Starrett and Brown & Sharp are also good.
Zims Rack said:
I would not buy them but then again I am a machinist and make my living with my measuring tools. There is no brand name on them so I can't be sure of the quality. They might be fine but then again they may croak after a week. Just remember that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken s**t. A good set will cost you less than 150.
V
((VH))
Guest
TZims Rack said:
That seems a good buy... I've bought a couple from a different seller but the one's I got is in hardened black steel exactly what cuecomponents is selling in their site.
The quality's good, tough and sturdy and accurate.
Just like any other instruments, be careful not to drop it though
blud said:
Yes I did and I appriciate it very much
you are on my call list for today.
No, it doesn't list a brand so it is probably crap. Email the guy and ask what brand it is.
I prefer dial calipers and micrometers. The reason is you can "see" the change and how far you have to "move" to get to a certain number. This is especially noticible when using a lathe or a mill. If you have to move .100 inch, you can do it much faster watching the dial on the handwheel rather than watching the digital scale.
As far as tools specific to cuemaking, digital is nice becasue the shaft diameters are in mm, so you won't have to do any conversions when measuring customer's shafts. Even though it is easy (1 inch =25.4 mm)
One noteworthy difference between digital and dial calipers is that the dial ones work on a pinion/gear arrangemnet that might become contaiminated with dust in a wood as opposed to metalworking envirounment. I never had a problem with mine, but I keep them in my toolchest and out of direct sawdust.
Murray is right about quality. Anytime you buy tools, you should buy the best that you can afford. Tools, especially machinist tools, should last you a lifetime. The top brand is usually considered to be Starrett. Right under Starrett is Mitutoyo, and Brown and Sharpe.
Sometimes you can't afford the best and you can settle for import tools. However, don't do that with calipers or micrometers because you will be using them every day.
You need 2 catalogs. Go to mscdirect.com and request their "Big Book". It is a 4 inch thick book of metalworking supplies. Also go to Enco.com and request their catalog. They have a slightly smaller selection, but I think their prices are sometimes lower. You can also order online with both places, but its nice to have their books right in front of you. And once you have the books and see what is available, check eBay for their prices on the same items. eBay is usually cheaper, but the books will give you a better idea of what is available.
I prefer dial calipers and micrometers. The reason is you can "see" the change and how far you have to "move" to get to a certain number. This is especially noticible when using a lathe or a mill. If you have to move .100 inch, you can do it much faster watching the dial on the handwheel rather than watching the digital scale.
As far as tools specific to cuemaking, digital is nice becasue the shaft diameters are in mm, so you won't have to do any conversions when measuring customer's shafts. Even though it is easy (1 inch =25.4 mm)
One noteworthy difference between digital and dial calipers is that the dial ones work on a pinion/gear arrangemnet that might become contaiminated with dust in a wood as opposed to metalworking envirounment. I never had a problem with mine, but I keep them in my toolchest and out of direct sawdust.
Murray is right about quality. Anytime you buy tools, you should buy the best that you can afford. Tools, especially machinist tools, should last you a lifetime. The top brand is usually considered to be Starrett. Right under Starrett is Mitutoyo, and Brown and Sharpe.
Sometimes you can't afford the best and you can settle for import tools. However, don't do that with calipers or micrometers because you will be using them every day.
You need 2 catalogs. Go to mscdirect.com and request their "Big Book". It is a 4 inch thick book of metalworking supplies. Also go to Enco.com and request their catalog. They have a slightly smaller selection, but I think their prices are sometimes lower. You can also order online with both places, but its nice to have their books right in front of you. And once you have the books and see what is available, check eBay for their prices on the same items. eBay is usually cheaper, but the books will give you a better idea of what is available.
There are pros and cons with either. I spent 15 years in the machine shop, and I have used both extensively. I would say this though, whatever you get, get quality.Zims Rack said:
Digitals have some flexibility that dials don't have, such as the ability to zero the readout at any position. This can be helpful in certain measurements like stepped bores and places like that. Also, you can zero to a standard, and get +/- readouts from the standard. My favorite digitals are the Mitutoyo's. I like the 8" better than the 6", but for cues, the 6" is probably fine.
Dial calipers will never have the battery die just when you need it most. If you get a dial caliper, get one with a covered rack to protect it from chips and dirt. Also, get one that is .100 per revolution rather than .200. I like Starrett and Mitutoyo best.
-CM
