Micrometers

d282 · Mar 15, 2013

OK, I bought a bore gauge, and now am looking at micrometers. I see that they come with friction fit, ratchet (at the end of the handle) and thimble ratchet. Which one do you guys prefer?

And which dial caliper should I look for? .001 or .0001

Thanks

gene bender · Mar 15, 2013

.001 would be enough

Janicholson · Mar 15, 2013

The ratchet (click) style tensioner is more consisant than friction style. Mitutoyo, or Starrett ar fine quality
A cheap 20.00 caliper is not repeatedly accurate enough to do bearings. They are better than a folding rule, but not much. Holding one in a machine shop as I key this in. Jim

Ron-MO · Mar 15, 2013

I always preferred a Starret ratchet style micrometer back when I used to use them daily for a living.

d282 · Mar 15, 2013

Was the ratchet at the end of the micrometer or was it the thimble type? Thanks

Ron-MO · Mar 15, 2013

I have a set like the one in this link, although not sure it is same model I have.
Mics

sflem849 · Mar 15, 2013

I like the plain thimble type. The ratchet don't seem to measure the same twice for me.

A .001" dial caliper is fine.

Everything we use in school is Starett, but money is no object there. Like said, Mitatoyo is very good as well.

Phil Tibbetts · Mar 15, 2013

I worked as a machinist for 40 years before I retired. I have used Brown & Sharpe, Lufkin, Mitutoyo, and Starret. All are good quality tools but Starret are the industry standard. I prefer the ratchet spindle type with the little knob on the end. If you look around you can find some good used ones from retired machinists. I still have all my tools and are in excellent condition. Probably should sell them but just can't bring myself to do it yet.

Spook · Mar 15, 2013

I always liked the friction thimble, but I used them a lot, you need to develop a feel for the proper tension. As far as calipers, I don't really feel a caliper is accurate to .0001, .001 is more realistic.

Phil Tibbetts · Mar 15, 2013

As for a caliper .001 is enough as it is near impossible to read any closer than that with that type tool. You would be amazed how accurate some machinists can measure with a Starret 725 pocket caliper. They are graduated in 64ths of an inch not micrometer quality but to within .005.

IAtractorKid · Mar 15, 2013

Either would work fine...once you develope a feel for them, you wont use the ratchet or thimble anyway. Starting out, I would elect for the friction thimble, I think they have a softer touch, you can really get the ratchet ones to tighten down hard if you dont know what your doing.

.0001 dial caliper would be a waste of money, just get the .001"

Personally I use Mitutoyo, same quality as Starrett and Brown & Sharpe at a fraction of the cost. I work as a toolmaker building high precision micro-molds for alot of inside the body medical parts. We work with tolerances in microns on a daily bases.

d282 · Mar 16, 2013

Thanks for the help Phil. If you ever decide to sell your tools give me a heads up, I would love to be able to keep using someone else's tools, taking pride in them and keeping the owners memory alive every time I use them. Take care, David.

Micrometers

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gene bender

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Janicholson

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Ron-MO

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d282

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Phil Tibbetts

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Spook

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Phil Tibbetts

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