Dial caliper or digital caliper?

[fiamme red]

Do you use a dial caliper or digital caliper for measuring? Which model?

Or are you really old-school and still use a vernier caliper? :)

[dave thompson]

I use a digital Harbor Freight $9.99 'special'. I also use an RCBS reloading vernier caliper when it's close at hand too. The measurements are accurate enough for general bicycle use with either.

[brenick]

I use a plastic set of verniers that cost $1. Don't remember where I got them - maybe Big Lots. They're marked in metric and work fine.

[boneman]

Generic on EBay. Had dual calipers so can do inner and outer measurements. Pretty accurate so it works for me.


Do you use a dial caliper or digital caliper for measuring? Which model?

Or are you really old-school and still use a vernier caliper? :)

[avalonracing]

vernier caliper or Werner Kempler?

[Ti Designs]

I just tell 'em it's 10 inches.

We may not be talking about the same measurement...

[crankles]

If you measure often and accuracy matters to you, Mitutoyo is tops...I prefer digital to dial. Easier to read holds it's accuracy better.

[Don49]

I use 6" Mitutoya digital calipers bought used off eBay for $65. I think you will come to appreciate the ease of reading the digital model over a dial although accuracy is probably the same. Digital also switches easily between metric and inches with a button push. Mine are solar powered which has proven to be a nice feature except in very low light.

[Mike748]

I have digital and dial mitutoyo's. The digital always seems to need a new battery when I really need to use it. I also have one of the cheapo plastic calipers. It gets the most use by far.

[David Kirk]

I'm a digital guy.

Dave

[duke]

Vernier. They still work after 30 years. I have good ones, but also reach for the el cheapo plastic one 95+% of the time.
duke

[WadePatton]

my digital starrett does not make me happy. too slow and a pia to change from "old money" to metric. much prefer a dial, now waiting for the "brand names" to come out with a dual dial like all the cheap ****. that'd be the cat for me. any trades?

and i use a plastic vernier and dial for rough/quick/dirty work.

[Ken Robb]

vernier caliper or Werner Kempler?.

Col. Klink's real name was Klemperer
:)

[Peter P.]

Another happy Mitutoyo digital user. I bought mine from McMaster-Carr.

[PaMtbRider]

I have mitutoyo digital and starrett dial calipers. I honestly grab whichever is more convenient. If I am measuring something and want a metric value I will grab the digital calipers first to save me some math.

[gemship]

I have mitutoyo digital and starrett dial calipers. I honestly grab whichever is more convenient. If I am measuring something and want a metric value I will grab the digital calipers first to save me some math.


is the math, multiply whatever # in inches by .03937 ?

I would go old school, dial style and remember to keep them very clean, in the case when not in use. You'll have them for life and no need to worry about batteries. For checking accuracy get yourself a half inch dowel or a machinist gage block to frequently check them.

[PaMtbRider]

is the math, multiply whatever # in inches by .03937 ?


Yea, but if I am using calipers I usually don't go out to 5 decimal places.

[DonH]

Mitutoyo digital calipers at home (I like being able to quickly change from inch to metric - its helpful on bike stuff) and Starrett dial calipers at work.
The digital calipers are surprisingly durable. Mine are a 2nd hand set that are pretty beat up, but still work well.