kraits 20th July 2011, 08:05 PM pulled out my Starrett pin punch set the other day to knock out a roll pin and noticed not mushrooming but dents, not that i wouldn't expect some signs of wear but only after one use? not happy, i know dents doesnt sound too bad but anyone would think i was belting it with a sledge hammer, then to add insult to injury while setting up a dial test indicator a knob on the stand (Starrett brand) snapped, i know its plastic but i would expect it to take the kind of force required to lock it in place without snapping. i know that there's a lack of good quality products out there, cheaper parts and so forth but i have always gone with Starrett for my measuring gear expecting top quality, am i been delusional in expecting quality tool when your paying a premium price? any of you fellas had similar experiences? any recommendations to move away from my previously prefered brand?
andrewr79 20th July 2011, 08:36 PM I've got some ancient Starrett calipers that are still going strong even after the previous owner tried to convert them to rust...can't say I've ever heard of issues with them, every time I hear them mentioned it's because they are decent.
Bryan 20th July 2011, 08:43 PM Not personally but I have read guys on US forums saying they avoid Starrett for precision stuff. Long Island Indicator (http://longislandindicator.com/p29.html) don't have much good to say about them either.
matthew_g 21st July 2011, 04:41 AM That was a really good read Bryan, Thankyou very much for posting that link.
Matt
Greg Q 21st July 2011, 09:05 PM There has been a move to China for lots of Starrett items, but of course the price stays high. The few new Starrett items I've seen haven't impressed me at all, especially for the price.
GQ
Pete F 21st July 2011, 09:25 PM I agree with Greg, it's really sad to see, but these days I'll avoid Starrett like the plague. Older stuff yes, but I find the newer stuff is horribly overpriced and not good quality at all. Yet another case of the bean-counters leveraging off a good brand name and running it into the ground. Such a shame.
FWIW most of my measuring gear is Mitutoyo, still relatively expensive, but also still good quality. For hand tools, if it's important then typically a German brand depending on the specific tool.
Pete
new_guy90 25th July 2011, 07:10 PM For the price you pay for Starratt gear you may as well go for Mitutoyo. I do like the old Starratt gear and I have a lovely 0-25 mic, The only exception for me would be the dial indicators (not a test indicator) as they are often on special and they get abused lol When I buy mic's and verniers i dont take the chance I know Mitutoyo are the right stuff for the workshop floor
kraits 25th July 2011, 10:21 PM http://www.toolexchange.com.au/homeofusedtools.htm (http://http://www.toolexchange.com.au/homeofusedtools.htm) ive had it with starretts new stuff and i do agree that the older gear is the goods, had a look at tool exchange and got myself a few pair of firm joint calipers one of which is starret, hopefully it doesn't fall apart:doh:
bob colles 30th July 2011, 03:21 PM Mitutoyo is the only way to go. Used the brand for 20 years and never had a problem.
kraits 30th July 2011, 05:40 PM ive converted.:C
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