Digital Calipers

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Glimpse

Digital Calipers

Post by Glimpse »

I've just binned *another* cheap set of digital 'vernier' calipers - 8 quid off ebay... They're fine for framing work as they don't need to be accurate to a 100th of a mil, but they do seem to just give up after a year or 2.

So, I've been looking at some Mitutoyos which I've found on offer for around 60 quid. They're probably a complete overkill in terms of accuracy, but I just want something that works every time I pick it up!

Anyone got any experience of Mitutoyo or any others I should consider in the less-than-a-hundred-quid price bracket?
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by fusionframer »

I use axminster calipers.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-di ... WXEALw_wcB

Mine have been going for over 2 years and still going strong. Very accurate as well.

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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by huntvambo »

I've had a set of Mitutoyo digital calipers for +15 years and only ever needed to change the battery, these were bought during my engineering days when the level of accuracy was required and the digital readout was a convenience.

If you're struggle with the price for quality digital calipers then go for the "old" fashioned non-digital, they're easy to read and still accurate to 0.001" or 0.025mm

I bet you haven't got a digital readout on your Morso so why do you need digital calipers?
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Steve N »

what are you using them for, it's not rocket science we are doing :giggle:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Glimpse »

It's pure laziness on my part! A quick flick of the thumb and it's measured - no faffing! I also find them useful for other things - I often need to measure bearings, bushes etc for my hobby - designing and making rockets. :giggle:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by JFeig »

A quality caliper will last a lifetime or more. Used calipers are abundant at flea markets and boot sales.
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by vasilij »

Steve N wrote:what are you using them for, it's not rocket science we are doing :giggle:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by prospero »

I did the same. Got a cheapo set and binned them shortly thereafter. Then I got a slightly dearer set which are
working well. I'm off to the shed in a mo so I'll see what brand they are. :wink:

* I find them very handy when doing stacked frames as you can measure across several mouldings at a time. :D


** later.... They don't have a brand name on. So that's me knackered then. :lol:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Not your average framer »

Mine were not a lot of money, I can't even remember where I bought them for, but they are just cheapo ones. I think that I must have had them for more than 10 years. I think that they are a must for most framers and not only that, but as you get older and your eyesight is not what it was the digital display is easier to read compared to the older vernier calipers.
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Steve N »

I've been framing for 28 years, and I can't think of a time when I have needed a pair, what's the betting I can find reason tomorrow :giggle: :clap:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Not your average framer »

Well, it is true that you don't really need them, but once you've got them you just don't stop using them! When your a bit tired and need to just check something a quick measurement and you know where you are. I also check things the other way round as well, I set them to the dimension that i want and check that every fits into the space that the dimension represents.

They are great if you are in to stacked moulding frames, also I get to repair lots of old and antique frames and getting it right often means accuracy. I'm in to using machine tools where necessary and being able to accurately measure things as you are making something helps a lot, when need to be careful to not go to far when machining something to fit something else.

My digital calipers are the reference that I use to calibrate just about everything else in the workshop, whats more is that there is no guesswork and you know if the calibration is right straight away.
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Keith Hewitt »

These 2 posts above encapsulate the framing industry so succinctly.
Steve N (GCF 20 ) framing for 28 years without the need for calipers.
Whilst Mark Lacey finds them invaluable

I have a SEALEY TOOLs Digital Vernier Calliper which is also good for the thickness or mount boards
Cant remember where/when I bought it Doubt it was expensive.
Box says http://www.sealey.co.uk

I just looked at their website - seems no longer stocked - shame that because its very well made
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by prospero »

On my saw setup I have a measuring scale and production stop but not a Morso-type scale to account for the moulding width.
So a caliper is great. Just double the readout and add on. OK, I could do it with a rule, but not so easy. You can be half a mil
out which means 1mm out. And as mentioned your peepers get a bit dim as you get older. :shock: So reading a tiny scale is tiring.

Anything that makes life easier is worth having. :P
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Glimpse »

My Morso doesn't have that scale you mentioned Prospero, so I measure the back of all mouldings, double it and add it to the glass size.
So calipers get used several times a day - I know, I could use a ruler, but often, mouldings backs have the aris chamfered off, so it's tricky to measure accurately with a rule.
It takes literally seconds with digi calipers, and you know it's accurate.
I ordered these Mitutoyos from H Roberts - highly recommended. They were very helpful on the phone and the calipers have just arrived.
I have to say, the quality compared to the 10-quid chinese jobbies is very obvious - there's no slop or play in any of the moving parts and they work perfectly. Reviews suggest they should last considerably longer than the ceahp ones, and the price wasn't too bad for a decent bit of kit.

Thanks for all the suggestions :)

https://www.hroberts-di.com//calipers-c ... 6-p3/s3767
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Steve N »

Ok, Ok, never knew I needed any before, but just ordered the Mitutoyos from H Roberts, just in case I will need them :clap: :clap: :giggle:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Glimpse »

I should be on commission! :Slap:
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Re: Digital Calipers

Post by Not your average framer »

I don't think that you did too badly with your £8 digital calipers lasting two years. I make that about a penny per day, which sounds extremely economical to me. Not only that, but if you had dropped they of the edge of the bench and they were broken, it does not seem so bad if they only cost eight pounds.
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