Must have hand tools?

[DPittman]

then a quick pass with a propane torch to get it smooth

Now that's smart! I've been hoeing and humming about making one of these myself but the optical component has me scared a bit.

 

[Chicken lights]

Stopped and got a couple things. At the bottom is a Starett scribe. I’m not sure on the made in China transfer punches

Thanks for the advice fellas

 

[Brian H]

That looks like a very handy square set.

 

[Dabbler]

You will like the Soba tools. they are very well made, as a rule. I have 2 of those Igauging calipers, and they have served me very well.

Just a note - between projects, save the clear plastic packaging from your battery, and make a disk to store the caliper with the disc disconnecting the battery. If not, you batteries will die in under a half of a year, with it, I get a couple of years out of each CR2032 battery

 

[Tom O]

I just go to princess auto and buy a pack of them, a few years supply!

 

[Dabbler]

I find that discount batteries usually come pre-discharged. Very convenient!

 

[PeterT]

Always check the expiry date on discount batteries. I've gotten some killer deals on good brand names via Ebay but they might be say 4 years into a 5 year shelf life. So read the fine print. Or if there is no fine print, that might explain the price. Having said that I have gone beyond the date by a long shot. Batteries are just like tools, sometimes you get what you pay for. And sometimes not. I have the discharging equipment from RC to be able to quantify this stuff & I've concluded basically anything goes. Sometimes store bought cells with zippy names are marginally better than generics. Or more the case, 20% better maH capacity but 200% the price, so you do the math.

I wont buy crappy digital calipers anymore. I figure its better to starve them so they eventually go back to the drawing board & make better ones LOL. Having said that they seem to be improving. A while back most every knock off had this same problem. Now many are decent. Not Mitutoyo decent but better. The trick is how to know beforehand. Its virtually impossible.

 

[DPittman]

I wont buy crappy digital calipers anymore.

Can you suggest any brand names that are decent in your opinion that are between Mitutoyo and crappy? I bought a Crappy Tire caliper (I think for $24) and then dropped it and was glad I didn't have an expensive one. So I bought another. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing!?

 

[John Conroy]

I ordered a Mitutoyo digital caliper (haven't received it yet) on Amazon. I have bought some cheap ones and they are a disappointment as Peter said. I use Mitutoyo calipers at work and there is no comparison to the Accusize (cheap) ones I have at home. There are lots of counterfeit ones around but the reviews here say it is a genuine Mit. Of course I can always send it back if it's a fake. Not much more money than a cheap caliper.

https://www.amazon.ca/FidgetGear-Mi...1545671549&sr=8-1&keywords=fidgetgear+caliper

 

[PeterT]

Asimeto might fit that bill. I don't have the 6" conventional but I bought a hook caliper that looked to be closely resembling a Mitutoyo design wise. It seems to be 'in-between' quality, not Mitutoyo silky smooth, but not junk. And from what I have found thus far, didn't eat batteries. Watch for sales & shop around if you are not in a hurry. Some of the machinist tooling places carry the line but as below, prices vary. They also make a big digit display in some calipers which is nice.

https://www.amazon.ca/Asimeto-73070...1545671544&sr=1-1&keywords=asimeto+6"+caliper

https://www.traverscanada.com/6-cal...er/p/57-020-704/?catalog=170101&target=bottom

 

[Downwindtracker2]

With the reviews, it seems to be Mitutoyo or Mitutoyo, for electronic calipers . Even the Starretts are come in a distant second place. As I said ,I just keep a pack of batteries handy, it's simple to remember 357

 

[Johnwa]

Other than the battery issue how are the Mits better than the cheap ones?

 

[DPittman]

I ordered a Mitutoyo digital caliper (haven't received it yet) on Amazon. I have bought some cheap ones and they are a disappointment as Peter said. I use Mitutoyo calipers at work and there is no comparison to the Accusize (cheap) ones I have at home. There are lots of counterfeit ones around but the reviews here say it is a genuine Mit. Of course I can always send it back if it's a fake. Not much more money than a cheap caliper.

https://www.amazon.ca/FidgetGear-Mi...1545671549&sr=8-1&keywords=fidgetgear+caliper

I hope you let us know what you think of it. I think even I could splurge for that.

 

[kevin.decelles]

I ordered a Mitutoyo digital caliper (haven't received it yet) on Amazon. I have bought some cheap ones and they are a disappointment as Peter said. I use Mitutoyo calipers at work and there is no comparison to the Accusize (cheap) ones I have at home. There are lots of counterfeit ones around but the reviews here say it is a genuine Mit. Of course I can always send it back if it's a fake. Not much more money than a cheap caliper.

https://www.amazon.ca/FidgetGear-Mi...1545671549&sr=8-1&keywords=fidgetgear+caliper

That looks like the set I have but I know I paid more. I'll compare when I get home today

I like my mitutoyo set fine, especially the absolute feature


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[Janger]

Like Dabbler In general I’ve found the iGaging stuff to be pretty good. It’s less money but not junk. I have a digital caliper, a depth gauge, and dro from them. Busy bee carries the brand. It’s not as nice as the mitutoyo but money needs to stretch.

 

[Janger]

I ordered a Mitutoyo digital caliper (haven't received it yet) on Amazon. I have bought some cheap ones and they are a disappointment as Peter said. I use Mitutoyo calipers at work and there is no comparison to the Accusize (cheap) ones I have at home. There are lots of counterfeit ones around but the reviews here say it is a genuine Mit. Of course I can always send it back if it's a fake. Not much more money than a cheap caliper.

https://www.amazon.ca/FidgetGear-Mi...1545671549&sr=8-1&keywords=fidgetgear+caliper

This is half or less of the typical price for a mitutoyo. Given the seller I’m skeptical it’s genuine. Let us know if it’s good when you get it John.

 

[DPittman]

Y

This is half or less of the typical price for a mitutoyo. Given the seller I’m skeptical it’s genuine. Let us know if it’s good when you get it John.

Ya I was a bit skeptical too but I figured if it's good enough for John AND I can afford it....I had better jump at it! So I ordered one too! We will see.

 

[YYCHM]

How is the SOBA branded stuff? I seem to be bringing a lot of that stuff home from BB these days.
Machinist squares, 1-2-3 blocks (I think), boring head, rotary table etc etc.

 

[kevin.decelles]

Soba has done well by me so far. I have some smaller items but recently bought the 6" (actually 5.92" ) rotary table and it is a soba and was a pleasant surprise




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[Dabbler]

Soba is a cut above the typical offshore stuff. Don't expect name brand performance out of it, the metals are usually softer than they should be, but they will serve well, and are accurate.

I just won't try to push the limits on a Soba tool. for a square and similar tools, a home machinist won't see any difference.