For all of you out there who use micrometers. Is there any recommended brand and style. When I speak of style I am asking does it make more sense to have a 3 in 1 micrometer tool or to get 3 seperate micrometers? I am about to make an investment and want to do it the right way the first time.
Micro Meters
- Thread starter Mad_Trbo
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 9,644
Well, depending on what you are trying to measure, you need 3 of them. 0-1”, 1-2”, 2-3".Mad_Trbo said:
The 3" mic (for example) will only measure 2-3". Both the 2 and 3" mics will have a calibration rod which are respectively 1 and 2” long.
As far as brand .... not sure. There are a few brands out there. Again, depending on what you are trying to measure, get some good ones. You get what you pay for in this category as "precision cost money".
I have brown&sharpe, mitoyo. and craftsman, in multi and individual sets. I prefer the individual just for the convenience of not having to disassemble and re-assemble and check w/a gage for proper tolerance.=time. mind you, these were purchased inthe 70's and 80's, so there might be more convenient products out there now. 
SHADOWII said:I have brown&sharpe, mitoyo. and craftsman, in multi and individual sets. I prefer the individual just for the convenience of not having to disassemble and re-assemble and check w/a gage for proper tolerance.=time. mind you, these were purchased inthe 70's and 80's, so there might be more convenient products out there now.
I was looking at the craftsman, your thoughts are appreciated based on your experience with the three brands you mentioned.
micro
Heres my opinion..For general use the tool that will give you the most for your buck will be a venier caliper 0" to 6" range .Get the digital that can be inches or mm with the press of a botton.Measures inside, outside, and depth.Can measure just about everything on gn motor.That and a dial indicator with mag. base and you can do anything
I endorse enco...
Heres my opinion..For general use the tool that will give you the most for your buck will be a venier caliper 0" to 6" range .Get the digital that can be inches or mm with the press of a botton.Measures inside, outside, and depth.Can measure just about everything on gn motor.That and a dial indicator with mag. base and you can do anything
I endorse enco...
DMan
buh bye
- Joined
- May 25, 2001
- Messages
- 499
A vernier caliper is not a substitute for a micrometer. My digital mitutoyo vernier can measure at best to 1/2 a thou, and of course its rounding.
I assume you are buying a mic to measure crank journals. ?
If that is the case, buy a GOOD tool, once. Mitutoyo, B&S..along those lines. You can get good quality used stuff off ebay if you want to save money.
The micrometer for crank measurement should have a vernier scale on it, required for measuring down to 1/10th of a thou (0.0001). Watch for this - many inexpensive mics are only good down to one thou (0.001), and won't have the vernier scale on them - making them useless for crank measurements where the 1/10 of a thou really counts.
Also, if you're going to measure bearing diameters, you will either need a bore-gauge ($$$) or, a good quality set of telescoping gauges that you will subsequently use the mic on.
You don't really need digital devices - you can save money there.
I assume you are buying a mic to measure crank journals. ?
If that is the case, buy a GOOD tool, once. Mitutoyo, B&S..along those lines. You can get good quality used stuff off ebay if you want to save money.
The micrometer for crank measurement should have a vernier scale on it, required for measuring down to 1/10th of a thou (0.0001). Watch for this - many inexpensive mics are only good down to one thou (0.001), and won't have the vernier scale on them - making them useless for crank measurements where the 1/10 of a thou really counts.
Also, if you're going to measure bearing diameters, you will either need a bore-gauge ($$$) or, a good quality set of telescoping gauges that you will subsequently use the mic on.
You don't really need digital devices - you can save money there.
DMan has it right. I use mics and calipers all day, a good set of Mitutoyo mics and a venier caliper will get you through 99% of everything you would need to measure. We have a $60,000 cordinate measuring machine with accuracy into .00001 (hundred thousands), and most all our machinist would still rather use standard mics. Like you said, do it right the first time.
Starrett tools makes an excellent quality micrometer. Look at Starrett.com as they have an online catalog. I used to work in a machine shop and that is what brand a lot of the old timers were using. Also as said before, Brown & sharpe make excellent precision tools as well. 
Gary Wells
White turbo Buick trailer park trash
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2002
- Messages
- 9,778
FWIW & IMHO:
Unless you are pursuing a career of inspection services/machinist Mitutoyo quality is hard to beat dollar for dollar. You can buy Starrett, Browne & Sharpe, Etalon, Tesa, Fowler, Pratt & Whitney, but $ for $, Mitutoyo can't be beat for the average auto shop/rebuilder. As previously stated a standard dial is an improvement over the vernier calipers, and digital calipers are not the hot set-up for a novice. 1/1000 on the mics, standard vernier mics, not digital nor the fancy ones with the .005 or .010 graduation windows. 8" calipers might be a better choice over 6".
Unless you are pursuing a career of inspection services/machinist Mitutoyo quality is hard to beat dollar for dollar. You can buy Starrett, Browne & Sharpe, Etalon, Tesa, Fowler, Pratt & Whitney, but $ for $, Mitutoyo can't be beat for the average auto shop/rebuilder. As previously stated a standard dial is an improvement over the vernier calipers, and digital calipers are not the hot set-up for a novice. 1/1000 on the mics, standard vernier mics, not digital nor the fancy ones with the .005 or .010 graduation windows. 8" calipers might be a better choice over 6".
Advice on micrometer
So would this be the better selection http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=600-0035&PMPXNO=953193
or this http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=890-9861&PMPXNO=5303008&PARTPG=INLMK32
I have heard good things about both, but the comment was made money buys precision, but I don't want to spend for what I don't need. I will use these tools again, but this is not my trade. I am a hobby enthusiast.
So would this be the better selection http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=600-0035&PMPXNO=953193
or this http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=890-9861&PMPXNO=5303008&PARTPG=INLMK32
I have heard good things about both, but the comment was made money buys precision, but I don't want to spend for what I don't need. I will use these tools again, but this is not my trade. I am a hobby enthusiast.
Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 9,644
Understand. Here is what I would do ......Mad_Trbo said:
While accuracy is expensive, repeatability more important in most cases. The error (even with some bad mics) will be pretty consistent in a given range.
Now, if you get to a point where you tell a machinist the dimensions you want for, lets say a crank regrind, than you MUST make sure they use YOUR mic to ensure consistency in the error. If you are not getting to that detail, there is not much else you need all the "accuracy in the world" for. Get the cheapest set and keep the repeatability from "measurement to measurement" in mind. Hope this helps.
Similar threads
