Forgot calipers

davis21b · August 7, 2011, 12:00 PM

I finally have gotten everything in and ready to start reloading for 223 but I forgot to get some calipers. Does snyone know how accurate and reliable the 6 in cen-tech digital calipers are?

TheGreatDane · August 7, 2011, 12:35 PM

+-.001 is what they're published for. I prefer dials calipers. No batteries/electronic variance.

mikld · August 7, 2011, 12:51 PM

I too, prefer a dial caliper over a digital. I've used both over the years and I didn't feel I could truely trust a digital; some numbers just pop up in a display. Plus I had one digital ruined when one of the $5.00 batteries leaked and corroded the contacts.

wncchester · August 7, 2011, 12:58 PM

I have three dial (two 6", one 12") and one (6") digital calipers from Harbor Freight. Checked against my high precision 'jo blocks' both read much better than a thou. They are easily as good as my old machinest grade Swiss made vernier caliber.

deepcore · August 7, 2011, 01:19 PM

I have 3 Cen-Techs. Cost with coupon enabled me to get three for the price of one from MidwayUSA and dedicate two (one for my Hornady Headspace Gauge and Hornady OAL/Bullet Comparator Gauge) so I don't have to take the gauges on and off.

I bought 20 of the batteries off of Ebay for $1.66 shipped. I take them out after use to avoid leaking problems.

I don't have any official gauge to check each one against. Only that before I set them up I used all three to measure a piece of alumnium rod I had lying around in my junk drawer and they all read the same.

jonboyc · August 7, 2011, 02:23 PM

I only had the money to buy a cheap cabela's caliper and was worried it wouldn't be accurate. So every time I turn on the caliper I measure a 1.5" piece of galvanized steel from my grandpa's garage and it measure dead on every time. So from my experience digital's work just fine.

August 7, 2011, 12:00 PM	#1
davis21b Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 63	Forgot calipers I finally have gotten everything in and ready to start reloading for 223 but I forgot to get some calipers. Does snyone know how accurate and reliable the 6 in cen-tech digital calipers are? __________________ SAPPERS LEAD THE WAY!

August 7, 2011, 12:51 PM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I too, prefer a dial caliper over a digital. I've used both over the years and I didn't feel I could truely trust a digital; some numbers just pop up in a display. Plus I had one digital ruined when one of the $5.00 batteries leaked and corroded the contacts. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

August 7, 2011, 12:35 PM	#2
TheGreatDane Member Join Date: November 18, 2008 Posts: 29	+-.001 is what they're published for. I prefer dials calipers. No batteries/electronic variance.

August 7, 2011, 12:58 PM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	I have three dial (two 6", one 12") and one (6") digital calipers from Harbor Freight. Checked against my high precision 'jo blocks' both read much better than a thou. They are easily as good as my old machinest grade Swiss made vernier caliber.

August 7, 2011, 01:19 PM	#5
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Posts: 364	I have 3 Cen-Techs. Cost with coupon enabled me to get three for the price of one from MidwayUSA and dedicate two (one for my Hornady Headspace Gauge and Hornady OAL/Bullet Comparator Gauge) so I don't have to take the gauges on and off. I bought 20 of the batteries off of Ebay for $1.66 shipped. I take them out after use to avoid leaking problems. I don't have any official gauge to check each one against. Only that before I set them up I used all three to measure a piece of alumnium rod I had lying around in my junk drawer and they all read the same.

August 7, 2011, 02:23 PM	#6
jonboyc Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 24	I only had the money to buy a cheap cabela's caliper and was worried it wouldn't be accurate. So every time I turn on the caliper I measure a 1.5" piece of galvanized steel from my grandpa's garage and it measure dead on every time. So from my experience digital's work just fine.