Archive for January, 2010

Amazon.com has quite a large range of dial calipers in stock. Most of these are targeted more at the hobbyist than the machine shop crowd.  Be very wary of the cheapest models .. feedback from users suggests they are not worth purchasing.

For many situations though, a serious high precision instrument is overkill - and in those cases these are a great idea for the smaller budget. Happy shopping!:

Neiko Stainless Steel 6-Inch Digital Caliper with Extra-Large LCD Screen - Instant SAE-Metric Conversion Neiko Stainless Steel 6-Inch Digital Caliper with Extra-Large LCD Screen - Instant SAE-Metric Conversion
List Price: $44.99
Sale Price: $9.59

When you require exact measuring, you reach for a caliper. But an accurate measurement is meaningless if you can't read it accurately. This caliper takes an essential tool into the 21st century with an extra-large LCD digital readout for exact internal and outside measurements accurate to ...

6 Inch LCD Digital Caliper with Extra Battery and Case 6 Inch LCD Digital Caliper with Extra Battery and Case
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $8.88

Caliper, Electronic Stainless Steel Body 0-6inch/0-15cm Stainless Steel Digital Caliper, increments are .0005 inches/0.01mm.Measures either metric or SAE in the same digital caliper.

Mitutoyo 500-196-20, Digimatic Digital Caliper, 0 - 6 Mitutoyo 500-196-20, Digimatic Digital Caliper, 0 - 6"/150mm, .0005"/0.01mm, Non-Output
List Price: $146.50
Sale Price: $115.50

Always remembers its measuring position even after the gage has been switched off Before precision tools are placed in service, and periodically thereafter, they need to be calibrated. Calibration ensures that readings from a measuring tool are within allowable specifications and tolerances to help cut down on costly and time-consuming mistakes...

6 inch Automotive Dial Vernier Caliper. Product Category: Hardware > Automotive 6 inch Automotive Dial Vernier Caliper. Product Category: Hardware > Automotive
Sale Price: $27.13

6 inch Automotive Dial Vernier Caliper. This quality designed caliper quickly and accurately measures up to 6 inches. Rolling thumb adjustment knob allows for precise, one-handed operation.   Features: Measures up to 6 inches Easy to read dial Thumb roll for accurate readings Quick, accurate measurements Light weight

Dial Carbon Caliper, Minimum Scale to Read is 0.1mm (Plastic) Dial Carbon Caliper, Minimum Scale to Read is 0.1mm (Plastic)
Sale Price: $13.85

SWISS DIAL CALIPER #142 Drafting, Engineering, Art (General Catalog) SWISS DIAL CALIPER #142 Drafting, Engineering, Art (General Catalog)
Sale Price: $59.82

SWISS DIAL CALIPER #142. General®, Precision Swiss Dial CaliperFeatures non-magnetic, high-impact lumalcore construction and large easy-to-read 1½,", diameter dial with .01", and 1/64", scales. Range: 6",.

6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Gage 150 mm 6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Gage 150 mm
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $8.04

6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Guage 150 mmDescription: Electronic Digital Caliper.Made of hardened stainless steel. Internal, external and height dimensions can be easily and accurately measured...

6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Guge 150 mm with USB2.14 AGPtek All-in-One Card Reader 6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Guge 150 mm with USB2.14 AGPtek All-in-One Card Reader
Sale Price: $10.22

6 inch LCD Digital Vernier Caliper/Micrometer Guage 150 mmDescription: Electronic Digital Caliper.Made of hardened stainless steel. Internal, external and height dimensions can be easily and accurately measured...

6 Inch Digital Caliper with LCD Screen 6 Inch Digital Caliper with LCD Screen
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $15.53

This 6" stainless steel digital measuring caliper is perfect for when you need exact measurements. This caliper is equipped with a large LCD Screen, for easy read numbers. It reads from SAE 0" to 6"/ Metric 0 to 155 mm and comes with its very own case, an extra battery, and a user manual...

Caliper,Dial,Metric Caliper,Dial,Metric
List Price: $91.00
Sale Price: $102.33

Caliper,Dial,MetricPrecision plastic calipers with Metric and English scales with 0.1mm and .001“ subdivisions. Use the thumb roller for precise measurements. Parallel jaws are 40mm (1 ½ “ ) deepNon scratching, non-conductive and corrosion resistant• Inside and outside jaws and round plastic rod depth gauge allow most measurementsDescription: B...

Avid Single Digit 5 Bicycle Linear Pull Brake (Black, Front or Rear) Avid Single Digit 5 Bicycle Linear Pull Brake (Black, Front or Rear)
List Price: $22.00
Sale Price: $13.84

The Avid Single Digit 5 Linear Pull Brake features Force Vector Alignment.All brakes include noodle and OvercoatAll brakes have oversized linear spring with screw-type spring adjusterForce Vector Alignment reduces brake boss play to improve performace, efficency, and controlItem SpecificationsColorBlackWeight210gMaterialAluminumBrake Usage F/RFront,RearPad20RHub/Brake CompatibilityRim BrakeBrake TypeLinear PullBrake Lever ActuationLong PullDefined ColorBlack

Frankford Arsenal Electronic Dial Calipers Frankford Arsenal Electronic Dial Calipers
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $18.46

Reloading ammunition requires attention to many critical cartridge dimensions, including case length, neck and base diameters, overall length, primer pocket depth, etc. Verifiying these dimensions is quick and convenient with the Frankford Arsenal Calipers and Micrometers...

Stainless Steel Dial Caliper Stainless Steel Dial Caliper
Sale Price: $29.50

Makes inside and outside measurements in centimeters on rule, fine measurements are taken on dial component in 0.02 millimeter increments. Thumb-wheel for fine adjustments. Locking screw to hold position...

My First Craftsman Angle Grinder and Tool Set My First Craftsman Angle Grinder and Tool Set
Sale Price: $29.99

In this video the presenter demonstrates how to read a dial caliper. Early on, he talks about the calibrations going to 100th of an inch. I'm not sure if he is incorrect or if the dial caliper shown here is not as precise as a machinist's tool. Metalworking calipers are generally calibrated to 1000th of an inch. This sort of precision makes the caliper a useful alternative to a micrometer - except in cases where measurements need to be finer than 1000th of an inch .. or where plus or minus 1 thou in accuracy will make a critical difference.


How to Read a Dial Caliper -- powered by eHow.com

Amazon has has many great deals on brand new dial calipers these days. They range from ridiculously cheap (and probably not so good) to serious metalworking tools. Take a look at these .. and click on any that interest you for more information:

Neiko Stainless Steel 6-Inch Digital Caliper with Extra-Large LCD Screen - Instant SAE-Metric Conversion Neiko Stainless Steel 6-Inch Digital Caliper with Extra-Large LCD Screen - Instant SAE-Metric Conversion
List Price: $44.99
Sale Price: $9.59

When you require exact measuring, you reach for a caliper. But an accurate measurement is meaningless if you can't read it accurately. This caliper takes an essential tool into the 21st century with an extra-large LCD digital readout for exact internal and outside measurements accurate to ...

6 Inch LCD Digital Caliper with Extra Battery and Case 6 Inch LCD Digital Caliper with Extra Battery and Case
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $8.88

Caliper, Electronic Stainless Steel Body 0-6inch/0-15cm Stainless Steel Digital Caliper, increments are .0005 inches/0.01mm.Measures either metric or SAE in the same digital caliper.

Mitutoyo 500-196-20, Digimatic Digital Caliper, 0 - 6 Mitutoyo 500-196-20, Digimatic Digital Caliper, 0 - 6"/150mm, .0005"/0.01mm, Non-Output
List Price: $146.50
Sale Price: $115.50

Always remembers its measuring position even after the gage has been switched off Before precision tools are placed in service, and periodically thereafter, they need to be calibrated. Calibration ensures that readings from a measuring tool are within allowable specifications and tolerances to help cut down on costly and time-consuming mistakes...