MICROMETERS & CALIPERS DISCUSSED (FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN QUALITY)

[bigwheelzip]

Only once, in 1989, did I need that level of accuracy, designing glovebox tooling for DOE. I asked the site purchasing agent if he had calipers, and he told me to follow him. He unlocked a huge storeroom that contained the contents of the entire McMaster-Carr catalog, which was how he spent excess project funds.

We climbed over about a dozen skids of materials until we found an unopened case of Mitutoyo digital calipers. They worked fine and did what I needed them for.

 

[rockquarry]

Well fellas..... this thread brought a smile to my face in that there are still some who actually know about and use precision measuring instruments. Probably mostly because of our age and maturity. Most young adults under the age of 40 don't even know what they are! The only only measuring tools most of them have are the apps on their cell phones.

Your post is welcome and reassuring. While I have a good quality caliper and micrometer that require no batteries, I'm not familiar with "apps".

 

[misswired]

I have three calipers. A Mitutoyo dial caliper, an Etalon dial caliper, and my favorite, a Mauser pre-WW2 Vernier caliper. I use the Mauser most of all. I have used vernier calipers since I was 12. I find them easier to use than a dial.

I have a pair of Scherr-Tumico micrometers. A 0 to 1" and a 1 to 2" I have no idea where I got them. I have had them a long time, and they work.

You didn't run into Swiss made Etalon tools very often inside the circles I've worked. Here is a zero to one inch mic, notice the .0005 graduation line between each thousands mark. With a little practice you could quickly read the tenths scale.

ETA: pics

 

[Fishslayer]

Not sure about "yesteryear" But I do love my 0-1" Starret digital micrometer from the '90s. It's a joy.

Later on I started using the electronic stuff from Harbor Freight with no ill effect. Definitely not as smooth and crisp though.

When I was building $400K pick n place chip handlers the other techs would come borrow my $20 Centech caliper because they had left the big $$$ Mito on & the battery died.

 

[misswired]

Found it necessary to purchase my own seven to twelve inch mics working in a small job shop. The eight to nine inch were the primary mics needed for a specific project, somehow, never got them back. Was surprised to see a couple of the mics have never had the shipping wrapping and protective coatings cleaned off..... that was over twenty years ago

Can’t recall anyone else having a zero thru twelve inch personal set of micrometers

 

[rockquarry]

Found it necessary to purchase my own seven to twelve inch mics working in a small job shop. The eight to nine inch were the primary mics needed for a specific project, somehow, never got them back. Was surprised to see a couple of the mics have never had the shipping wrapping and protective coatings cleaned off..... that was over twenty years ago

Can’t recall anyone else having a zero thru twelve inch personal set of micrometers

I haven't seen them in years, but in my mother's garage there is a set of at least three large micrometers as in your photo. I think there may be some accessories as well. They are encased in a fitted, wooden box. My dad's been dead a long time, but he had an engineering background, so I'll assume he used these in his work. It might take a week to find them, but perhaps I should just to make sure they're in good shape. Have no idea of the brand or age.

 

[2152hq]

Nothing fancy, and no digital tools. Just don't care for battery op stuff.
A Mitutoyo 1" mic that I seem to have had forever gets a lot of use.
A 2" B&S that not so much use but does come in handy.

Dial calipers, 6" length. A couple of those. One left in each of the shops is the plan so I don't have to keep walking back and forth to get one. But that doesn't always work out either.
They are both Asian mfg,,can't remember the brands, nothing popular or famous in the biz I don't think. But they do the job OK for what I need.
They double for use when needed during reloading.

I still have a vernier caliper 6" that I use occasionally. Given to me by another gunsmith that I worked with early on and who showed me a lot about the trade.

Shotgun bore dia measuring mic. That's dial indicator also.
Use it to measure chokes also.

 

[MRB1]

Machinists are known to take very good care of their tools, so it's not surprising to see really old machinist tools in perfect condition. However, I still remember seeing a A/C Mechanic using his Starrett Mics as a C-Clamp. Sadly, put a set of mics in the hands of a young person today and all you'd get is a blank stare.

 

[misswired]

Machinists are known to take very good care of their tools, so it's not surprising to see really old machinist tools in perfect condition. However, I still remember seeing a A/C Mechanic using his Starrett Mics as a C-Clamp. Sadly, put a set of mics in the hands of a young person today and all you'd get is a blank stare.

Tend to agree with both of your statements. Starrett mics would make a very nice C-Clamp..... and yes we old machinist’ took care of our tools......10 to 15k invested in tools.....and most of us couldn’t afford to replace them.

Knowing this Etalon mic will never be used by myself; I’ve torn it down today for a 20 year cleaning cause it was a little stiff

 

[rockquarry]

I have an old Omega brand micrometer that was in with a bunch of used handloading equipment I bought almost forty years ago. I'm not familiar with the brand. Are these considered to be of good quality, junk, or somewhere in between?

 

[misswired]

Look at the contact anvils.....if they are carbide, yes they are good.....even starretts.....carbide anvil faces are the first sign of quality

 

[The Norseman]

Dials

A couple of my quality Precision Measuring Instruments.

A mechanical Snap-on inch/pound Torque Wrench, (garage sale
find, years ago, $5). Had it calibrated, was right on. For Scope
Rings/Bases, and any Gun Screws.

A mechanical 1980 Model 120 Starrett Dial Caliper. For Cartridge
length/trimming and whatever measuring.

I like this Thread!

 

[Fishslayer]

Sadly, put a set of mics in the hands of a young person today and all you'd get is a blank stare.

Company I worked at hired a lot of electronical types... most of 'em couldn't get the same mechanical measurement twice in a row to save their lives.

 

[MRB1]

Company I worked at hired a lot of electronical types... most of 'em couldn't get the same mechanical measurement twice in a row to save their lives.

I agree - can you imagine what they'd do if you handed them a slide rule ??

 

[Frank46]

My first mike is a Johansen I bought at a hock shop for $20. Made in Sweden and still checks out with a 1" standard. Was sort of a home shop machinist. So over the years bought all my measuring tools as I needed them. My old Kennedy 7 drawer tool box cost me about $50 in 1967 now they are up to about $450 and the Gerstner's well over double and triple their cost back then. Have older Starret's, Brown & Sharp,and Mitutoyo.That box is so heavy cannot pick it up. Unground tool bits,all sorts of taps and dies. And only who knows what else. Have an older Jet 13x40 gearhead lathe and a drill press. Sold the old craftsman 6" lathe and gave away all the spare parts, milling attachment and the armature chuck that screwed onto the lathe spindle. That gent walked out of my garage with all that plus a tool box full of goodies and drove over from Texas to Louisiana to get it. Still nice though to turn it on and let it warm up and start making chips.. Frank

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I still have my father's 4" Vernier caliper and made good use of it for years. About 25 years ago I noticed a 6" Mitotuyo dial caliper in a pawn shop, mint condition with leather case, and I didn't even try to negotiate the $30 price tag.

I'm not a machinist, just a reloader and general tinkerer, but I can appreciate precision workmanship and good tools.

 

[tlawler]

I just picked up a pair of 0-1” micrometers yesterday at a gunshow. A Starrett and a Brown & Sharpe, both for $25.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I guess I just like old things, like me.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[dmar]

I just picked up a pair of 0-1” micrometers yesterday at a gunshow. A Starrett and a Brown & Sharpe, both for $25.

Wow, that’s a great deal! I seem to only run into guys selling their old tools for top dollar...

 

[chief38]

Norseman,
I happen to have the same Snap-on inch pound Torque Wrench also. At least it looks the same according to your picture.