Micrometers

[buickspec6231]

Engine builders and machinists: Is there a brand of micrometers and dial calipers that you recommend?? I am not looking for mega bucks here. I want to be able to make accurate measurements. Just like any other tool available there are obvious quality differences. I don't need fancy high tech digital readouts or anything like that, I can read micrometers already. I don't need a delicate battery powered computer to do it for me, and I won't be measuring in high volume so if it takes longer to read its ok. Let me know what your thoughts are and thanks for your time.

~Dan

 

[Martin U]

Starret Made in USA

 

[chadly]

I worked in a quality lab for many years and we used mostly Starrett and Mitutoyo. I don’t know if there is one better than another. I think it’s more important that you have a qualified gage block to check it with. We had to send all our equipment out every three months to have it checked professionally as they can get dropped or banged and no longer read correctly. I think any good named micrometer that comes with a gage you will be happy with. I few years ago I was at the tool show in Chicago and a vendor was selling micrometer and calipers for $20/set. I bought some just because they were cheap. When I got back to work I checked them and I was amazed at the accuracy. I grabbed two pin gages, one at .2501 and .2502 and the micrometer would read the difference. With that said I wouldn’t expect these to last forever. Also keep in mind with micrometers its handy to have a blade attachment and you usually need three (0-1, 1-2, and larger).

 

[TurboDave]

I bought a set of no name mics from Amazon years ago and have been very happy with their accuracy (had them checked) and each comes with its own standard.

Amazon.com: 0-6" PREMIUM OUTSIDE MICROMETER MACHINIST TOOL SET w/CARBIDE TIPS: Industrial & Scientific


This is very similar to the dial bore gauges I bought.

Amazon.com: Economy Dial Bore Gage Set,2.0-6.0",.0005" Grad: Industrial & Scientific

I also found a used set of these:

Amazon.com: Mitutoyo 155-903, 5/16" to 6", 6 piece Telescoping Gage Set: Industrial & Scientific

on ebay for a lot cheaper.

But I wouldn't recommend buying used mics or dial bore gauges unless you know the source.

 

[Mike E]

Engine builders and machinists: Is there a brand of micrometers and dial calipers that you recommend?? I am not looking for mega bucks here. I want to be able to make accurate measurements. Just like any other tool available there are obvious quality differences. I don't need fancy high tech digital readouts or anything like that, I can read micrometers already. I don't need a delicate battery powered computer to do it for me, and I won't be measuring in high volume so if it takes longer to read its ok. Let me know what your thoughts are and thanks for your time.

~Dan

What do you want to measure?

If your just measuring bearing clearances when assembling your motor, you don't need expensive mics. Your only measuring the difference between the crank OD and the bearing ID and you'll be using the same mic for both. Any mic is going to be good inside that range. Enco has good deals on import mics that would work fine here. You say you can read mics, but using telescoping gauges to meausure ID's is a lot harder than it seems.

If your measuring something and need to compare it to something measured with with another mic, you need expensive mics. I prefer Mitutoyo and Starrett.

 

[jhanson1750]

X2 Mitutoyo and Starrett. Like others have stated you can also find less expensive but as long as they are checked against a gauge block and verified you should be just fine. Jon

 

[buickspec6231]

Thanks for the input. I plan on measuring the usual main/rod journals, bearings, and cylinder bore. Its more for my own knowledge than anything. I obviously can't do any of my own machining so I leave that up to the machine shop to do their thing. It would just be nice for inspection of the engines because right now I have 3 seperate 3.8's. 1 n/a engine w/ turbo crank, a '78 carbed turbo, and an '85 HA engine. Eventually I will be adding a 109 block to the mix and selling off the others. I will keep checking around and hopefully I can actually get a set in my hands to test and feel before I make the purchase. Again much appreciated.

~Dan

 

[ijames]

I bought a set of 3 mics from harbor freight (1, 2, and 3" with 1" and 2" gage pins). Took them to work and checked them on our gage blocks and against our digital mic that reads to .01 thousandths and they were accurate to 0.0001", the limit of the vernier scale. I was really happy for my $30 (now they are $39 on sale). Whatever you buy, try and visit a local machine shop and check yours against their gage blocks.