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digital calipers
#7750682
02/19/20 10:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,568
Son of a Blitch
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,568 |
I have a good Starrett analog set that I am happy with, but my friend and I were talking about calipers and he asked what digital calipers fellow reloaders were happy with.
I assume some of you use digital ones? What do you recommend? What would you stay away from?
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750699
02/19/20 10:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157 |
Mitutoyo Solar is what I use most of the time.
As much as I hate to admit this...I have a digital Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) digital caliper that always reads the same as the Mit and I'm not near as careful with it as I am the Mitu's.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750701
02/19/20 10:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,175
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,175 |
I just use the Hornady digital one that came with my single stage kit. I suppose by virtue of being able to make some half decent ammo, i guess everything I use is at least good enough, including the calipers. I do want some fancy ones just because I like tools.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750710
02/19/20 10:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442 |
I also use Starrett analog, figure it has been working for about 30 years or so for me. No need to change
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750725
02/19/20 10:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481 |
Interesting post. I don't know why, but I never trusted the digital ones. Interested to see what folks have to say.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750744
02/19/20 10:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630 |
Digital Starrett here. Works good lasts a long time.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Judd]
#7750771
02/19/20 11:10 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,558
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,558 |
Mitutoyo Solar is what I use most of the time.
As much as I hate to admit this...I have a digital Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) digital caliper that always reads the same as the Mit and I'm not near as careful with it as I am the Mitu's. Good to hear! They're cheap so I have two sets of the Pittsburgh brand. I compare them to each other regularly to kinda' sorta' make sure they're in the same ball park, so I can spot if one gets out of whack. So far, about 10 years, they have 100% agreed with each other.
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750772
02/19/20 11:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576 |
Mitutoyo. I’ve compared them to a couple of cheap and neglected digital calipers. They are more consistent, but not nearly as much as I expected. Both cheap pairs were pretty close to the Mitutoyo.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750778
02/19/20 11:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835 |
Mine are Kobalt digital. Are they accurate down to the thousanth? I can confidently say no. but they are accurate enough for checking trim length and COAL. I probably ought to buy a better one.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750874
02/20/20 12:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 74
22Mules
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 74 |
I have two pair of cheap made, I think CHICOM made, one part is calibrated every year, due to FAA requirements, [I am an aircraft mechanic] and the other is not calibrated, they both read the same go figure.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750971
02/20/20 02:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 325
Rounder
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 325 |
Mitutoyo and Starrett backup. I do not know why. Not a bench competitor nor any kind of. I just like to handload and get the best accuracy out of the weapons that I own.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750974
02/20/20 02:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763
Tin Head
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763 |
depends if your wanting to be accurate of kinda sorta accurate. For accuracy go with a well known brand that's known for accuracy, like Mitutoyo . Anything else for, "its good enough" .
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7750982
02/20/20 02:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168 |
I’m guessing harbor freight isn’t the correct answer?
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#7750985
02/20/20 02:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763
Tin Head
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763 |
I’m guessing harbor freight isn’t the correct answer? I have a set from harbor freight and they are ok, I would not use them for reloading. I use the for when I need a kinda sorta good measurement. I would never use for anything of real importance.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751250
02/20/20 01:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
I worked in a Secondary Reference Lab for over 12 years. Most accuracy problems with digital or analog calipers is induced by the user.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751415
02/20/20 03:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
I'm a Harbor Freight guy too and I use them for reloading. I have a manual set up also, they always seem to match.
Last edited by GLC; 02/20/20 03:42 PM.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: DLALLDER]
#7751615
02/20/20 06:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763
Tin Head
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763 |
I worked in a Secondary Reference Lab for over 12 years. Most accuracy problems with digital or analog calipers is induced by the user. I can see that but one step further , Ill assume, you guys dont use harbor freight or the like calipers?
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751656
02/20/20 06:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082 |
Starrett analong. Don't trust digital to hold zero.
Judd says I'm an old soul, and I own it.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: J.G.]
#7751689
02/20/20 07:33 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,175
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,175 |
Starrett analong. Don't trust digital to hold zero.
Judd says I'm an old soul, and I own it. Ugh, I hate to break it to you but I believe you're just old.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751722
02/20/20 08:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481 |
There is a dude with a youtube channel I think called project farm he does all kinds of comparison stuff like comparing oils torque wrenches and all kinds of chit. I bet he would do a comparison of different calipers.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751817
02/20/20 09:44 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493
der Teufel
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493 |
Digital? Those things need batteries, and you just can't trust 'em! Here's what ya' need — Just kidding, sorta. I keep this thing around for quick measurements of all sort but for reloading I have an old dial caliper that I like. --
Last edited by der Teufel; 02/20/20 09:44 PM.
I have two unwritten rules: 1. 2.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: GLC]
#7751877
02/20/20 10:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788 |
I'm a Harbor Freight guy too and I use them for reloading. I have a manual set up also, they always seem to match. The custom fountain pen group did a study of HF calipers and Micrometers. These guys make custom fountain pens that require accuracy in the thousands, their consensus was that the HF errors was almost always operator error. They agreed that HF was as good as Starrett and Mitutoyo. The biggest problem is misuse and abuse and then expect it to work properly. I use Starrett dial, HF digital, and some plastic slides for grenade measurements.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Son of a Blitch]
#7751952
02/20/20 11:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763
Tin Head
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763 |
I just went and checked my digital calipers . If I grab the top jaw and the lower jaw portion and push in different directions there is noticeable play in the HF calipers and NONE in the mitutoyo calipers. I believe that is going to be the biggest difference in the the two. Brand new out of the box this might not as noticeable but the HF calipers are a 1/4 the age of the mitutoyo. There is a lot that goes into the metallurgy of the steel and components that you just wont get for 9.99. Ill stick with my over priced stuff for my important stuff and HF for the beater.
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#7752025
02/21/20 12:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082 |
Starrett analong. Don't trust digital to hold zero.
Judd says I'm an old soul, and I own it. Ugh, I hate to break it to you but I believe you're just old. 40 in May That's not old.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: digital calipers
[Re: J.G.]
#7752085
02/21/20 01:23 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
Starrett analong. Don't trust digital to hold zero.
Judd says I'm an old soul, and I own it. Ugh, I hate to break it to you but I believe you're just old. 40 in May That's not old. It is the start of being old!!!!!!
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