Dial Caliper For Measuring. Which one?????

[reesestewww]

I’m looking for a set of dial calipers to measure, mainly, rotors and pads. I’m no engineer but I also don’t like wasting money on crap. Look at these two 6” calipers. Is it worth the extra $110 bucks? Am I missing something? What kind of calipers would you recommend?

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0301593041.105 8454422@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccidadcilglgjhicehgcemgdffmdflh.0&vertical=SEARS&pid=00940165000&sid=I0057300010000100085

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40926

Thanks

R

[don911]

For calipers/pads, etc... I'd go with the $20 calipers from HF.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I didn't look at the sites, all I need to do is see the words Harbor Freight. Dreck. Made in China, almost all of it. I buy from them if I need something really cheap that I'll only use once or twice.

Stephan

[mr.bch]

I didn't look at the ad, either. However, here is my story.

I bought some $20 stainless steel 6" calipers from a local tool shop, Performance Tool, over a year ago. I brought them to work and the ISO guy put them up to his measuring blocks and they were actually more accurate over the range than my friend's $100+ Mitutoyo's. They still are in great shape and I use them probably every third day. IMHO, I think the $20 set works just great.

[dad911]

Consider a digital set. Push a button, measures in inch & metric, and converts. You should be able to find a decent digital for under $80.

[Porsche_monkey]

To measure pads and rotors buy a $5.99 plastic one. They are suprisingly accurate. Won't rust and you don't have to keep it clean. Anything else, for your application, is overkill.

[Tim Walsh]

on the same subject what would you use for more acurate readings such as cylinders, crankshafts and the like? Does a vernier caliper have enough accuracy?

[Eric Coffey]

I would not spend $130 on a Starrett caliper. The steel is too soft, and they will go out of calibration fairly quick. How about a nice digi-caliper? Most aren't much more $$ (if any) than the Starrett, but they are much easier to read, and are inch/metric switch-able. Do an internet search for: Brown & Sharpe, Fowler, & Mitutoyo "digital caliper".

I actually have an extra Brown & Sharpe (the "Porsche" of measurement tools) 6" digital caliper for sale if anyone's interested.

[Porsche_monkey]

You need a good micrometer (or a set of micrometers) for OD measurements and a bore gage tool for ID's. A vernier is not good enough for most of those measurements.

[caliber60]

I bought this from e-Bay. Best you can get with good price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2539895340&category=25269&rd=1