[sammyg2]

I've always tried to be the anti-snob, but when it comes to this stuff I get uppity.

I've got LOTS of HF tools in my garage. No precision measuring tools from them tho.
Not that i have anything agin' them, but I already had plenty of those tools before HF came on the scene.
I don't have anything digital tho. I hate the idea of having a battery go dead on me, my dial calipers never go dead.

I have a really old vernier 6" caliper I used to keep with me on the job always, but my eyes aren't good enough to use it down to the thousandth anymore.

I have a cheapo ($20) dial caliper for regular stuff, but when I need to measure 'zact (or impress my co-workers) I break out my 60's vintage brown and sharpe micrometers or calipers (made in north Kingston R.I.).
Bought it all from a millwright who retired in the early 80's and have babied it ever since.

talk about a swiss watch, they put starrett and mitutoyo to shame. Smooth, great feel, repeatable as all get out.
Unfortunately they don't make this stuff no mo.
I've been offered $400 for my zero to 1 brown and sharpe, I said no way.
Gonna keep it til they bury me.

Iffn you ever get a chance to snag some real made in the USA brown and sharpe micrometers, especially those dating back to WWII, grab em. Good as gold.

No wait, they're no good, Total junk, and iffn you have any you need to unload .....

Note that most of my dial indicators are starrett and mitutoyo. Gud stuff too just not quite as special as my B&S equip.