Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2018/06/25/digital-caliper-for-7-58.html
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With all due respect: plastic jaws = non-repeatable accuracy. I’d spend a bit more and get something with a metal body.
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If all you want is .010" then it’s probably okay. I still have my old Steritt, but I have to use a magnifying glass to read it.
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I suppose this would probably work for me ok for rough work, especially since I use a lot of imprecise rulers instead, but it’s really hard for me to buy what seems like an oxymoron, discount precision measuring tools.
The only part that’s plastic is the housing for the digital readout. The rest is machined steel.
I have one that’s fairly similar: https://www.amazon.com/Inch-Digital-Caliper-Extra-Battery/dp/B0002JFMIO
It says fifteen bux at Amazon but they have the same model for a broad range of different prices. It feels and looks like a machined stainless steel tool. You do have to set the zero position every time you turn it on, but other than that it just works.
I will admit that there’s nothing like the feel of a finely crafted tool.
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Looks. My concern would be the 6"/150mm length. That’s a little small. But, it might do fine for a 3d printer companion tool.
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You sure about that?
I’ve bought at least four of the ones that you linked to on Amazon. You’re right about those: all-metal body. Unfortunately, the LCD in those has a defect where it wears out after a few years. Three of them have died that way. (No, it’s not the battery. I pop a brand-new battery into an old one, and it doesn’t work. I switch that same battery to a new one, and it works fine.)
But just a few weeks ago, I bought another one from Amazon that looks very similar to the one that’s linked - and was disappointed that the body and jaws on this one are plastic.
Also, the metal ones at Amazon run about $13. Both the one I just bought and the one linked here from BB are closer to $8. There’s probably a reason for that.
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not plastic. Carbon firber.
OK, my bad. I searched my orders and the one I have is a little different.
https://www.amazon.com/SE-784EC-Digital-Caliper-Metric/dp/B003MA08VQ
Apologies for the misfire. The recent reviews are mixed and cite some problems, but they don’t say that it’s plastic FWIW. Mine is from January last year and works properly, so no reports regarding the battery.
Many lucks.
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At least one review claims that the calipers are, in fact, plastic and not carbon fiber. Given the price point, that seems more plausible than not. But I dunno.
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What is an “inch”?
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1/39.37 (about) meters
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Carbon fiber is just plastic resin with strands of spun graphite in it. Carbon fiber is strong and light, but not hard. Tool steel should be used.
Also… carbon fiber my ass!
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Don’t buy shit measuring tools. Just don’t.
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Something that, when it is given, some recipients will respond by taking another 63,360 of them.
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I think this would be more than enough for a 3d printer. I been using a primitive 99 cent HFS (Harbor Freight Special) for the past few years and haven’t felt the need for anything better. .
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Of course since 1959 has been exactly 2.54 cm. The modern “international” mile based on the 2.54 cm inch is about 1/8" different from the old fashioned “statute” mile based 39.37 inches to the meter.
Okay:
1/(39.3700787401574803149606299212598425196850 repeating) meters exactly.
Not a proper unit, that’s what.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/Design/page/reg-standards-converter.html
