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Starrett, Mitituyo, or RCBS calipers??

JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
edited January 2012 in General Discussion
My calipers are missing from my loading bench, as well as a NEW Dewalt 18v drill battery (recent addition put on the house,...go figure[V]) and I need a new set. I was very comfortable with my RCBS dial calipers (I LIKE dials so no digital advice please) and I am wondering if any of you guys feel that one manufacturer is better than the other,..or since they all look the same, are they made the same??

what say you?

Comments

  • bigcitybillbigcitybill Member Posts: 4,912 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Almost any 6" caliper has adequate accuracy for a caliper these days. Same goes for mics. If you're not measuring millionths of an inch, most tools these days are within tolerance for their intended purpose.
  • hawkeye6020hawkeye6020 Member Posts: 2,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 on what bigcitybill said. just depends on how much money you want to spend.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mitutoyo and Starrett I have tool room grades of both. Any one of the two will suit you well.
    edit:
    Want to add- if you go 12" Starrett, just a peeve of mine with the zero set.
  • bigcitybillbigcitybill Member Posts: 4,912 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use a Mitutoyo black face for reloading and a crummy Harbor Freight $20 caliper at work for checking drill bit sizes,etc.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,521 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    Mitutoyo and Starrett I have tool room grades of both. Any one of the two will suit you well.


    +1
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bigcitybill
    Almost any 6" caliper has adequate accuracy for a caliper these days. Same goes for mics. If you're not measuring millionths of an inch, most tools these days are within tolerance for their intended purpose.


    My only issue with some calipers is zero repeatability.
  • barbwiredbarbwired Member Posts: 7,924 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    They all have different features but function the same. Check the inside and outside jaws and the depth probe for the one you like best. I like Brown and Sharpe because of the shape of the jaws.
  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As far as dial calipers go, anything made by Hexagon Metrology (Brown and Sharp, Etalon, and Tesa) are the cats meow of dial calipers. Everyone else are just pretenders. If I was purchasing dial calipers right now, I would buy one of the above, Mitituyo, or Starrett.

    If I purchase a gage for one of the guys in my area, I almost always buy Mitituyo. They are the best versus their cost.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by barbwired
    They all have different features but function the same. Check the inside and outside jaws and the depth probe for the one you like best. I like Brown and Sharpe because of the shape of the jaws.
    Brown and Sharpe and Starrett are American Made...
    Mitituyo is Japanese.
  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
    quote:Originally posted by barbwired
    They all have different features but function the same. Check the inside and outside jaws and the depth probe for the one you like best. I like Brown and Sharpe because of the shape of the jaws.
    Brown and Sharpe and Starrett are American Made...
    Mitituyo is Japanese.


    Most Brown and Sharpe instruments are actually made in Europe since Hexagon purchased them several years ago. Most of their cheaper lines are supposedly made in the states, quality is suspect IMO. CMM's are still made here, depending on size. All their high quality measuring instruments are made in either Switzerland or France.


    Mitituyo makes products in Japan and Brazil. Starrett has products made in China and the US.
  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Mitituyo 6" vernier that is fifty years old. It still works fine but these old eyeballs don't. It cost me most of a week's take home pay back then.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
    quote:Originally posted by barbwired
    They all have different features but function the same. Check the inside and outside jaws and the depth probe for the one you like best. I like Brown and Sharpe because of the shape of the jaws.
    Brown and Sharpe and Starrett are American Made...
    Mitituyo is Japanese.


    Most Brown and Sharpe instruments are actually made in Europe since Hexagon purchased them several years ago. Most of their cheaper lines are supposedly made in the states, quality is suspect IMO. CMM's are still made here, depending on size. All their high quality measuring instruments are made in either Switzerland or France.


    Mitituyo makes products in Japan and Brazil. Starrett has products made in China and the US.
    Well isn't anything sacred any more... ALL for a lousy buck.

    Are there ANY Quality Measurement Tools STILL made in the USA? [:(!]
  • bambambambambambam Member Posts: 4,818 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 6" Dial Mitutoyo and a 6" Dial Starrett calipers.

    The Starrett lasted about a month before it jumped a tooth and ruined the brass gear.(This isn't typical of this company)

    I have had pretty good luck with my Mitutoyo though.(It was paid for by were I used to work). This one wasn't cheap.
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Starrett calipers are are going on 35 years now and I have never had one whit of trouble, so I am biased.
    I have used many of the brands mentioned without any problems, but can't testify to their duraability. [;)]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    I really like my Mitutoyo calipers.
    I happened to win them in a giveaway,right here on GBGD..
    BTW: They are "DIAL" no digicrap for me either.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dennisnielsen
    Just C

    you won a free micrometer,you just forgot to enter

    You will have to settle for Mitutoyo though

    I will go to the garage later and dig them up




    Thanks Dennis,..I sent you an e-mail back this AM. Much appreciate the help since I got outbid on a set of 2 mitituyo calipers last night.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks anyway dennis, but I need the calipers to get back to reloading. I am dead in the water without them.[V]
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