A good Dial Caliper

ShootingNut · April 20, 2007, 04:25 PM

THAT doesn't cost an "Arm and a Leg". Can you buy a "cheapie" for 20 bucks and is it accurate?

Crazy4nitro · April 20, 2007, 04:51 PM

I work with precision tools and My personal caliper for my job is well over $100. I have several "Cheapies" (one was $9.99) from Harbor Freight and they work fine. I Zero it out before I start and have no issue trusting it. Just make sure it's made of Metal,as I have seen partial Plastic ones.

Crazy4Nitro

steelrat · April 20, 2007, 04:56 PM

I picked up a digital from Harbor Freight, it works great as long as I zero it before using it. They have a dial one made by the same company that was the same price, I just prefered the digital...

Edward429451 · April 20, 2007, 05:03 PM

I had problems with a Dillon caliper that wasn't right but the RCBS replacement has been fine for 3-4 yrs now.

Jim Watson · April 20, 2007, 05:42 PM

The cheap Communist Chinese calipers are adequate for most reloading jobs except for measuring bullet diameter or case head expansion. They are fine for OAL, ogive gauge measurements, case length, die position, etc.

BigJimP · April 20, 2007, 06:40 PM

Your better woodworking stores are a good place to shop for a good digital caliper too ( used by turners, etc ) and they sell quite a few so they have 2 or 3 choices usually - but some of the asian imported stuff is really junk ( especially China ).

RERICK · April 20, 2007, 06:56 PM

The Frankford Arsenal I bought a few years ago still works great. I haven't even had to change the battery yet. I think I paid about 30 bucks for it.The digitals are easy to read.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=604242

Keenan Goss · April 20, 2007, 07:02 PM

I ordered a Frankford Arsenal caliper from Midway for $9.99 on sale. It is digital for easy readout, and switches from standard to metric at the push of a button. I dont think its on sale anymore, but if I can remember correctly it was about $30. They also have one with a dial for about $20.

Keenan Goss · April 20, 2007, 07:03 PM

Sorry Rerick, I guess we had the same idea.

wolverine350 · April 20, 2007, 07:04 PM

can get a cheapie at lowes

CrustyFN · April 20, 2007, 07:04 PM

I bought a dial caliper at Harbor Freight for $20 and it works great.
Rusty

RERICK · April 20, 2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

I ordered a Frankford Arsenal caliper from Midway for $9.99 on sale

Now why couldn't they have had that deal when i was looking for one. I would have bought two

T. O'Heir · April 20, 2007, 11:33 PM

Look in Home Depot or the like. I've found that buying normal measuring devices in gun shops, etc costs more. It's like buying tumbler media in a gun shop instead of a pet supply place. Same thing, but it costs more.

ShootingNut · April 21, 2007, 08:13 AM

From what I'm hearing, I don't have to pay a lot for the accuracy we need.

April 20, 2007, 04:25 PM	#1
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	A good Dial Caliper THAT doesn't cost an "Arm and a Leg". Can you buy a "cheapie" for 20 bucks and is it accurate?

April 20, 2007, 07:04 PM	#11
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I bought a dial caliper at Harbor Freight for $20 and it works great. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

April 21, 2007, 08:13 AM	#14
ShootingNut Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,475	Thanks Everyone From what I'm hearing, I don't have to pay a lot for the accuracy we need.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

April 20, 2007, 04:51 PM	#2
Crazy4nitro Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Location: Lou-a-vul KY Posts: 142	I work with precision tools and My personal caliper for my job is well over $100. I have several "Cheapies" (one was $9.99) from Harbor Freight and they work fine. I Zero it out before I start and have no issue trusting it. Just make sure it's made of Metal,as I have seen partial Plastic ones. Crazy4Nitro

April 20, 2007, 04:56 PM	#3
steelrat Member Join Date: February 8, 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 66	I picked up a digital from Harbor Freight, it works great as long as I zero it before using it. They have a dial one made by the same company that was the same price, I just prefered the digital...

April 20, 2007, 05:03 PM	#4
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I had problems with a Dillon caliper that wasn't right but the RCBS replacement has been fine for 3-4 yrs now.

April 20, 2007, 05:42 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	The cheap Communist Chinese calipers are adequate for most reloading jobs except for measuring bullet diameter or case head expansion. They are fine for OAL, ogive gauge measurements, case length, die position, etc.

April 20, 2007, 06:40 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Your better woodworking stores are a good place to shop for a good digital caliper too ( used by turners, etc ) and they sell quite a few so they have 2 or 3 choices usually - but some of the asian imported stuff is really junk ( especially China ).

April 20, 2007, 06:56 PM	#7
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	The Frankford Arsenal I bought a few years ago still works great. I haven't even had to change the battery yet. I think I paid about 30 bucks for it.The digitals are easy to read. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=604242

April 20, 2007, 07:02 PM	#8
Keenan Goss Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 27	I ordered a Frankford Arsenal caliper from Midway for $9.99 on sale. It is digital for easy readout, and switches from standard to metric at the push of a button. I dont think its on sale anymore, but if I can remember correctly it was about $30. They also have one with a dial for about $20.

April 20, 2007, 07:03 PM	#9
Keenan Goss Member Join Date: March 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 27	Sorry Rerick, I guess we had the same idea.

April 20, 2007, 07:04 PM	#10
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	can get a cheapie at lowes

April 20, 2007, 11:33 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Look in Home Depot or the like. I've found that buying normal measuring devices in gun shops, etc costs more. It's like buying tumbler media in a gun shop instead of a pet supply place. Same thing, but it costs more.