(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best digital calipers

12" is huge. What are you measuring? I like the feel of 6" and 8" ones better. And for the price, the 6" plastic mitutoyo is a great value for a more reliable and accurate instrument.

Yeah...a Lee press is like $30.
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Reloading-Press-Md-90045/dp/B002SF4X5I/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1504265516&sr=1-1&keywords=lee+reloading+press


Lee RGB Dies are $20. You'll save a lot of headaches.
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-308-RGB-Die/dp/B000NOSH1W/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1504265559&sr=1-3&keywords=lee+RGB

Shell holder
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-R2-Shell-Holder/dp/B00144I7BK/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1504265597&sr=1-4&keywords=lee+shell+holder


Case trimming......If you really want to do it the ghetto way, you can use a piece of sandpaper, laying it flat on a table and rubbing the case mouth in a consistent manner on the sandpaper. Alternately you can use a coutersink bit from Home depot and just hog off the excess brass with a hand drill. Trim die is probably your next cheapest option.

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-90231-308-QUICK-TRIM/dp/B00FORZS2E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1504265346&sr=8-4&keywords=lee+quick+trim

Digital scale like this is alright....just check it with a known value each time you use it. Use a bullet or a pellet gun pellet or something. If you're using a middle burn rate powder like IMR4064 or Tac or something...you have to be pretty far off...by probably ten grains... before it gets dangerous if you're going for a middle of the road charge. Consistency is more important for accuracy.

https://www.amazon.com/Ascher-Digital-Back-lit-Display-Weighing/dp/B01IXHSPDK/ref=sr_1_10?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1504265087&sr=1-10&keywords=digital+scale.


Simple ram type primer....or just use the priming function of the lee loader you already have....

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-LP90106-Lee-Precision-Prime/dp/B00162UGQE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1504265432&sr=8-5&keywords=lee+priming+tool

And then a set of calipers to check your length

https://www.amazon.com/YKS-Composite-Vernier-Digital-Caliper/dp/B01DXAFZ94/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1504265810&sr=8-12&keywords=calipers

I'd recommend you just pick up a set of cheapo digital calipers off Amazon like these. Worth noting, though, that if you plan to use it only to measure lug width you could save yourself some money and pick up one of these, since the precision of a digital set isn't necessary.

I don't have that tool and I do not believe these types of chucks are standardized. If you could accurately measure the dimensions of the ones you have, that might be helpful.

To measure them you need a "precision" vernier caliper like this one-- https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Micrometer-Measuring-Precision-Measurements/dp/B074HZ8S21/ref=asc_df_B074HZ8S21/? --You can get any metal one that looks EXACTLY like this that you find, they all work the same. It should be capable of fractional measurements in Imperial and Metric. ...And then learn to use it, if you don't already know. (note--the dial calipers only measure in one system, and the electronic ones don't work well)

Or a micrometer will work for measuring too, if you happen to have one. If you must buy something then the caliper above is generally more useful.

I have a couple Dremel-brand tools and also have some of the Chinese generic brass collets on tools I've made, and I can say that the China brass collets will not fit into the Dremel tool at all, and the Dremel collets don't stay straight in the China brass collet. The back sections of the China collets is thicker than the Dremel collets.

Alternately, you may be able to change to a China brass chuck. If the Micro Mark motor shaft is 2.35mm in diameter (which it very well may be, that is a common axle size for small motors) and you can get the old chuck off (without damaging the rest of the tool) then you can buy a China brass collet set that has the chuck and 10 different collets, from .5mm to 3.2mm, for ~$1.50 + shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Readout-Installation-Accessories-JCS900-2AE/dp/B07YDZ2Z2C/

Just look for linear encoders. Linear scales. DRO's. Calipers, even.

It's easy to spend $4k on something you could have spent less than a week of payroll and a few to several hundred dollars on. I have never, ever opened up a $3k to $10k actuator and been impressed at any category of value an integrated systems vendor provides beyond the obvious time and moderate learning curve for know-how angle. You are married to an integrated systems vendor after the purchase as well, which can sink oodles of days into the black hole of a project timeline. Being able to use your own firmware, cables, and components means you can react and develop the product instead of develop a product around the schedule of an integrated motion vendor. People wave their hands at this fact until it grinds them into the dust a time or two, and then they often realize it's time to do their own, and then they wonder why they didn't do it themselves earlier.

We are currently measuring them with this: https://www.amazon.com/ZJchao-display-electronic-digital-caliper/dp/B00T48GWCE. Not that accurate, but maybe good enough for people. It would be cool if we use a 3D scanner instead.

For grip width, from which point to which point? Right now, we are measuring the outer points (to create the bounding box).

$50 is a pretty good deal. We use these at our shop. Quality is quite good, very durable.

https://www.amazon.com/INSIZE-1108-150-Electronic-Caliper/dp/B0191UUWKC

Bowl gouge, not gauge :)

Read this PDF and watch the video that's linked for more information as to why spindle gouges are not to be used for bowls or other cross-grain turning.

The accessory tool set you linked is mostly designed for metalworking by the look of it. You would make modest use of the two spring calipers and the scribe compass in the bottom left of the photo, but none of the other stuff would be useful to a woodturner doing bowls. To be honest, you can buy the same three tools for under $20, so I'd buy the calipers and then maybe a [cheap digital caliper}(https://www.amazon.com/Neiko®-01407A-Electronic-Digital-Caliper/dp/B000GSLKIW/) for when accuracy matters.

For under $10, I've had pretty good luck with https://www.amazon.com/WinnerEco-Vernier-Caliper-Calipers-Measuring/dp/B01M5FJT1L (I got 5 sets for my class).

They're not cheap, but I picked up a set of these a few months back, and they're pretty nice.

> I can order one on Amazon.

You can order one from wherever you choose, but 99% of them will all be from the same country; China.

I just gave you the least expensive option, but having the longest wait time.

Even expensive ones like this one will likely have been made in China as well.

Think I paid $5 for mine (on eBay) and I've used them for well over a decade, just gotta change the battery every few years. They're the stainless steel type though and not the carbon fiber.

This site helps with Nova thread adapters.

Some other instructions.

Also, you should look into some decimal inch calipers. Or dial Or digital. I guess if you are used to that scale it’s fine. But using 16ths and then going to 128ths just seems pretty difficult. (1 + 12/16 + 4/128 = 1.78125) If you can do that in your head I’m impressed.

It does seem that 1.75-6 is what those measurements come out to. But idk how you determine what thread type it is. It could be metric? I’d probably do everything I could to find a published thread size and type from the manufacturer.

What size morse taper is this?

Ok, here are my favorites:

When you just have to know how long it is...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SG7PIE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When you just have to see it in the dark...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GTAPSO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When you just have to cook something, anything...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When nothing else will do...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUCXB8A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When you need to brighten up your life...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00II1MN5I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

...but would prefer to do it remotely...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRXRD6Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

... but would prefer a 3 dimensional view on things...

http://www.makergear.com/products/m-series-3d-printers

..if only those darn batteries would hold up...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IBDOB5I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

... then again there's always that light bulb...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JM72W6C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

... or that cool solar pack...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3OL5U8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and if all else fails...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AX49VBW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

lots more to choose from, but out of time for tonight!

Bought mine through a local tool vendor (paycheck deduction ya know) but best investment to date. Have had dozens of calipers. http://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-500-732-10-Stainless-Resolution-Specifications/dp/B003U9VZNE

I'm going to present the other side of the debate. I went to amazon and perused the lowest cost calipers with positive reviews. I grabbed this 18 dollar pair and it's been superb. I'm also not making a living off this tool.

GlowGeek Electronic Digital Caliper Inch/Metric Conversion 0-6 Inch/150 mm Stainless Steel Body Red/Black Extra Large LCD Screen Auto Off Featured Measuring Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZGWQXV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VNevzbBQQHQB2

These , and this.

Better than the clapped out ones knocking about in a machining tech class for sure. And quality enough to last well into the job market.

https://www.amazon.com/Brown-Sharpe-Caliper-Stainless-Steel/dp/B075P5RX1B for a good version that will last a lifetime.

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-Stainless-Shockproof-52-008-706-0-Graduation/dp/B0014DEXNM/ref=sr_1_6?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1518657393&sr=1-6&keywords=dial+caliper Cheaper but still acceptable in a shop.

https://www.amazon.com/Utility-Dial-Caliper-Science-Purchase/dp/B00O985RRU/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1518657492&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=dial+caliper&psc=1 Cheap set that will function fine but don't expect precision or longevity.

Ok so I was curious about this and did a little experiment. I used a [digital inside caliper] (https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-6-Digital-Inside-Caliper/dp/B002PU5HHY), to measure the maximal width at the ball of the foot [not the most accurate device but its the best I could do at the moment]. I compared the some Meermin 7.5UK LWB to 8.5E AE 65 last strands (both were nonshell leather).

Turns out at the ball of the foot, 7.5UK Rui is about 1-2mm larger than the AE strands in 8.5E. I tried them on and compared and again it seems like my toes feel a bit squished in the Rui last compared to the 65 last in E. In the Rui it felt like most of the pressure was just lateral to my big toe at the IP joint which put enough pressure to squeeze my pinky toes into the side of the shoe. Taken together, Rui appears to be slightly larger in the ball width than the 65 last in E but slightly narrower in the toebox.

I guess the take home is, for Rui sizing YMMV. If your forefoot near the toes splays out a bit, Rui might not be the best last for you.

Yes...I use my vernier calipers at home, because they have metric and inches, because my dial calipers are crummy, and because of the battery thing.

A mechanical engineer might have a pair at her desk at work that she uses often enough to keep fresh batteries in. I hear Mitutoyo doesn't drain batteries as fast as the others. But depending on the job, that might be irrelevant or might be provided by the company.

Edit: Given OP's SO's renewable energy interest, how about Mitutoyo solar calipers.

^(u/randymarsh18)

Calipers are my favorite tool. I literally buy these for all my friends to keep at their houses so i'll have them around when i go there

https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-Stainless-Adjustment-52-058-016-0-Graduation/dp/B000KL2NMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522612725&sr=8-1&keywords=52-058-016-0&th=1

I bought these a while back and have been pretty happy with them but I'm not a machinist.