Digital Micrometers and verniers etc ??

[Maker]

Only the 0-25mm mic would measure a feeler gauge and you could just wind it fully closed to zero it, the bigger ones come with a standard to zero against. You can't really calibrate them.

 

[Brad93]

I keep my old cheapies for scribing lines.

I've got an old mitutoyo for that, once they've been dropped a few times I think that's all you can trust them for

 

[Brad93]

sorry but that didnt answer the question lol

No feeler gauges aren't accurate enough. You need a standard, a gauge block or a gauge ball.

 

[Brad93]

Only the 0-25mm mic would measure a feeler gauge and you could just wind it fully closed to zero it, the bigger ones come with a standard to zero against. You can't really calibrate them.

You can calibrate them, the barrel can be adjusted.

 

[Maker]

I'm thinking of calibration like you would an ohmmeter, you can zero it by touching the probes together and adjusting for the leads resistance, but it's a lot more involved to adjust it so that 1 ohm actually reads 1 ohm and 10k reads 10k.

I'd consider adjusting the barrel to be "zeroing" but calibration to be somehow adjusting them so not only does 0mm still read 0 but 25mm reads 25, which you can't adjust. A mic can't really lose linearity like that though so it's not something that needs worrying about, the screw pitch doesn't ever change (Other than with temperature ).

 

[MetalMonkey]

I'll add another vote for Mahr, sadly my budget doesn't stretch to Mitutoyo, but I've been happy enough with these for digital calipers.
I've also got some old M&W dial ones, batteries never run out on those.

 

[mike os]

oh yes, is it ok to calibrate with feeler gauges ?

Standards are more accurate, feeler gauges can be a bit hit and miss...

 

[mtt.tr]

The Chinese digital mics from what I've seen are accurate and reliable
They don't rely on super tight precision threads I believe

Depends what you want to spend

 

[mtt.tr]

I'm thinking of calibration like you would an ohmmeter, you can zero it by touching the probes together and adjusting for the leads resistance, but it's a lot more involved to adjust it so that 1 ohm actually reads 1 ohm and 10k reads 10k.

I'd consider adjusting the barrel to be "zeroing" but calibration to be somehow adjusting them so not only does 0mm still read 0 but 25mm reads 25, which you can't adjust. A mic can't really lose linearity like that though so it's not something that needs worrying about, the screw pitch doesn't ever change (Other than with temperature ).

Arguably a mechanical mic can lose precision as the threads wear. (which I wouldn't imagine to be alot if noticeable in a DIY setting)

 

[pressbrake1]

Mitutoyo. You'll have it for the rest of your life

If you was a bit older (as In old enough to have owned one long enough)and not a novice machinist you’d know that digital mitutoyo isn’t a permanent purchase and don’t last forever. There’s a 25-50 Mitty digital mike in my scrap !

 

[pressbrake1]

Arguably a mechanical mic can lose precision as the threads wear. (which I wouldn't imagine to be alot if noticeable in a DIY setting)

A mechanical mike is going to outlive you.
I’ve only gone digital on smaller mikes due to eyesight

 

[pressbrake1]

Only the 0-25mm mic would measure a feeler gauge and you could just wind it fully closed to zero it, the bigger ones come with a standard to zero against. You can't really calibrate them.

You calibrate a zero, halfway and full range

 

[mtt.tr]

A mechanical mike is going to outlive you.
I’ve only gone digital on smaller mikes due to eyesight

I have had some that are bad but not through use but poor storage, straight in the bin.

 

[pressbrake1]

I have had some that are bad but not through use but poor storage, straight in the bin.

Rust from shed storage is the killer

 

[Brad93]

If you was a bit older (as In old enough to have owned one long enough)and not a novice machinist you’d know that digital mitutoyo isn’t a permanent purchase and don’t last forever. There’s a 25-50 Mitty digital mike in my scrap !

Oh of course not no digital stuff is gonna last forever.

But in a hobbiest setting, they probably will last years.

 

[Mr Fro]

I'll add another vote for Mahr, sadly my budget doesn't stretch to Mitutoyo, but I've been happy enough with these for digital calipers.
I've also got some old M&W dial ones, batteries never run out on those.

Where are you buying from?

When I look there's only £3 difference. £3 on £200 odd is negligible.

 

[Brad93]

Mahr is or was top end stuff

 

[Mr Fro]

Mahr is or was top end stuff

That's why I got them!

 

[daedalusminos]

My QuantuMikes ranged from £130 for the 0-1" to £180 for the 3+4".

 

[Other Daniel]

My QuantuMikes ranged from £130 for the 0-1" to £180 for the 3+4".

That's very cheap.
Roughly half price.