vernier calpier

spook

Well-Known Member
i am looking to buy a new digital Vernier caliper for measuring the case length. what is the best make to get asthere are so many on the market .
 
Are you really sure it's a 'vernier' calipre you want? Most people use a 'digital' or 'dial' type, I reckon.
 
I bought a cheap (£6) one off ebay and have since checked it against a much more expensive (Mitutoyo) unit and there was no difference on the readout up to 4" over that mine was -0.01mm different to 6".

I also bought an imperial dial caliper (again from eBay) and apart from the marking being slightly less pronounced agrees with the 'inch' settings on my digital version.

For my needs they are perfect, if I was measuring less than 1 thou and needed repeatability and calibration, then Mitutoyo.
HTH
 
Most digital calipers will suffice if you can tolerate them drifting from the ‘zero’ and having to continually check & reset them. They work and will certainly do the job, but can be frustrating.
The best are the best because they are accurate and reliable ... all the time.
 
For simple case measurement I use a generic £20 digital caliper. Easy to read and use, especially if you have not used a vernier scale before.

I first realised my eyesight was deteriorating when I could no longer focus on a vernier caliper close enough to read it. :( I tried a dial caliper but still prefer spectacles and a vernier...or the digital one.

If you decide on digital ones...check that they have auto power off. I kept coming to the box and finding the battery flat because I wasn't in the habit of having to switch off the micrometer or vernier calipers.

Mitutoyo are great instruments, one of my verniers were made by them, but I don't think their quality is necessary for the case measurement function.

I always clean the caliper contact surfaces and check zero (with the digital ones re-zero) every time I pick them up.

Alan
 
I have Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, and other top-end measuring tools, which is all there were a few decades ago.

But I also now use a stainless iGauging IP54, which has 0.0001 resolution, meaning its 0.001 readings are always right. It was about $30.
A Neiko 01407A (?) is about $17.00. These are much better than the calipers sold under the RCBS, Hornady and other reloading brand names.
Amazon has them.
 
I use a standard set of vernier calipers but if my eyes could not cope with it, I would use a dial Mitutoyo I think. East to read and reset and no batteries to faff with.
 
I have Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, and other top-end measuring tools, which is all there were a few decades ago.

But I also now use a stainless iGauging IP54, which has 0.0001 resolution, meaning its 0.001 readings are always right. It was about $30.
A Neiko 01407A (?) is about $17.00. These are much better than the calipers sold under the RCBS, Hornady and other reloading brand names.
Amazon has them.
Does not mean 'readings are always right'. Measuring in tenths needs temperature control. Ever wondered why micrometers have an isolating pad on the frame?
 
Machine Mart do a reasonable one for mid 20's quid. Just remember to remove the battery when not in use.
 
I bought a cheap (£6) one off ebay and have since checked it against a much more expensive (Mitutoyo) unit and there was no difference on the readout up to 4" over that mine was -0.01mm different to 6".

I also bought an imperial dial caliper (again from eBay) and apart from the marking being slightly less pronounced agrees with the 'inch' settings on my digital version.

For my needs they are perfect, if I was measuring less than 1 thou and needed repeatability and calibration, then Mitutoyo.
HTH

+1

I was fortunate enough to buy a set of Mityuto dig calipers 20 years ago on a special deal. They have remained perfect ever since.

However, for the differences in performance/cash aset for £20 is good for most. Steiner/Minox glass is excellent but nowhere near as expensive as SWARO/Zeiss/Leica. It does the job well. You pay the extra for the marginal gain in performance. Same with tool guages.

Once you get a good OAL that groups tightly, make a dummy bullet and seat the die to that OAL - much quicker when you just need to load 20 to get out.
 
DML for me (sold by Digital Micrometers Ltd). Their 6" digital calipers are accurate to .001" with a .0005" resolution, are well made and don't break the bank at £28 a set. May not have the brand name of some others but you don't pay for it either. They seem every bit as good as my more expensive mechanical ones. Just avoid cheap unwarranted Chinese imported ones and buy from a tool specialist and you rarely go wrong these days from about £20 upwards.
 
Good old Moore and Wright for me probably not made in the uk anymore but the name is synonymous with quality tools from my youth.
 
Lidl, £10 digital ones just do the job. If your are really worried why dont you get a Wilson case gauge and problem sorted forever.

D
 
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