Fake Mitutoyo

[TEO]

Does anyone know if there are telltales to distinguish fake from pukka?
A cpl of years ago I was told that there were fake digital Mitutoyo calipers around. A few yrs previously I'd bought my current set secondhand, apparently they're the real deal & they've been great but now they're getting v. tatty & I'm looking to find replacements. Not ideal that I'm looking 2nd hand but funds won't allow for new.

Alternatively, if anyone has recommendations for a dependable brand at about £60 I'll have a look at those.
Cheers

 

[zzr1200]

I've always found the Aldi Workzone ones to do what I need, however my son who has made parts for AirBus would rightly disagree... its horses for courses....

Do you really need to measure a nats left testy and compare it to it's right one????......

 

[hotponyshoes]

What size are you after?

 

[jack-daniels]

 

[TEO]

What size are you after?

I think the current ones are 200mm so something about the same

 

[Kram]

I've always found the Aldi Workzone ones to do what I need, however my son who has made parts for AirBus would rightly disagree... its horses for courses....

Do you really need to measure a nats left testy and compare it to it's right one????......

Aldi and Lidl have had varying quality. I quite like my last pairs which have a circumference converson button, very useful! They are as accurate as is possible for a digital calliper to be although my genuine Mitutoyo feel much nicer to use, exceptionally smooth.

Usually the fakes will have a single character of the name mis spelt: Mitutoya, or Mitotiyo, Mititoyo, etc... Very easy to miss as the listing is often spelt correctly.

A previous batch of Aldi ones, I bought several, they were all bent like banannas and went straight back.

 

[Richiew]

Bought a Lidl one about three weeks ago. Took it back for a refund. The zero button failed to work. Didn't want a replacement as the build quality was very poor. Noticeably rougher all round compared to my other Aldi versions that are a few years old now.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I think the current ones are 200mm so something about the same

200mm is a unusual size, 150mm (measuring capability) is pretty normal,
I've got quite a few in 150mm, various makes, mitutoyo, spi, m&w, etc
Can let you know what's there if you like?

Otherwise, SPI seem pretty good, you can get them new for the same price as a used mitutyo. Maybe not quite as well built but certainty accurate/repeatable enough for most applications..
At least you can buy them new from an authorised dealer if you are worried about fakes. Or stretch the budget a bit and you can probably get a new mitutyo for £100..

 

[Brad93]

Just buy from a proper metrology dealer.

H Roberts
MQS
MSC direct have good offers sometimes.

 

[Memmeddu]

Alternatively, if anyone has recommendations for a dependable brand at about £60 I'll have a look at those.
Cheers

1 go on the Mitutoyo website
2 buy a real Mitutoyo from their website

They aren't that expensive, and you often find a discount I think that last time I've checked, the classic DIGIMATIC Absolute AOS (not the coolant proof) 150mm size was sold for 99 euros which isn't that much more than your 60£ target

 

[Memmeddu]

Usually the fakes will have a single character of the name mis spelt: Mitutoya, or Mitotiyo, Mititoyo, etc... Very easy to miss as the listing is often spelt correctly.

I got a fake one on eBay, it was advertised as used so I didn't bother much about the price and pictures actually showed a real one.

First sign is this box ,real one are just orange, no pics, Mitutoyo and products nama are not the same side .

Mine arrived green instead of yellow.
Overall it's not that bad for a knock off but I'd preferred to spend twice for the real one .

 

[Agroshield]

My own take on it is if you are buying second hand (used second hand rather than new-in-box used) as you state, you are more likely to receive a genuine item.

It is people who want the brand name but do not want to pay the new item brand price that the fakes delude (hence the exclusion above of NIB deals).

 

[Brad93]

I just wouldn't buy any Mitutoyo caliper from ebay.

Even if it's in a proper box, that person may just be trying to recoup some money they've lost on a fake.

 

[optima21]

I think my dial indicator may be a fake

 

[jimbo84]

I’ve got a Dasqua one, decent enough quality for me and comes in a heavy duty plastic/foam case, from RDG tools, around £35/£40 if I remember rightly.

 

[Brad93]

you're better up buying a quality known make at the cheaper end of the spectrum than buying knockoffs or possible fakes.

Insize are really really good, they do a heavy duty zinc caliper for about £60 it has lasted my dad three years which is saying something!

Even the £30 moore and wright ones are useable.

In my opinion the standard mitutoyo digital calipers aren't that much above the rest of the field.
It's the coolant proof ones which are a league above.

 

[TEO]

Just buy from a proper metrology dealer.

H Roberts
MQS
MSC direct have good offers sometimes.

Yup, that'd be ideal, I've been keeping an eye on MSC, I'll have a look at the others. Cheers

 

[TEO]

1 go on the Mitutoyo website
2 buy a real Mitutoyo from their website

They aren't that expensive, and you often find a discount I think that last time I've checked, the classic DIGIMATIC Absolute AOS (not the coolant proof) 150mm size was sold for 99 euros which isn't that much more than your 60£ target

I'll have a look cheers

 

[TEO]

I’ve got a Dasqua one, decent enough quality for me and comes in a heavy duty plastic/foam case, from RDG tools, around £35/£40 if I remember rightly.

Thanks I'll have a look

 

[Brad93]

Yup, that'd be ideal, I've been keeping an eye on MSC, I'll have a look at the others. Cheers

Yep check the Advantage catalog. Although I don't think you'll find any under £80

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Digimatic Digital Caliper, Range 0-150mm / 0-6", R

The ZERO/ABS button allows the display to be Zero-Set at any slider position along the scale for comparison measurements. This button will also allow return to the absolute (ABS) mode and display of the true position from the origin (usually jaws closed point). Large and clear LCD readout with...

www.hroberts-di.com