Vernier Calliper vs Micrometer

[DSEL74]

Does a Digital Vernier Calliper surpass the need for a Micrometer?

I noticed that Mitutoyo micrometers are accurate to 0.01mm and that digital verniers are claiming +/- 0.02mm. However I am sure Mitutoyo products are better made than the majority of available digital callipers which all seem to look scarily alike despite brand or price.


I have a box load of imperial callipers, unfortunately I'm metric schooled.

[Ueee]

In a word......NO.

The problem with calipers is the the big lump of meat hanging off them can influence the results. Because they have no way of regulating the measuring force used it depends on how hard you push on the jaws as to the measurement you get. Micrometers on the other hand have a ratchet or friction thimble that gives you the same measuring force every time.
Just beacause a digital caliper has a resolution of .005mm (my mity does) does not mean it is accurate to that. It does however trick you into thinking it does because the number is there in front of you to see.

Ew

[DSEL74]

I think there is also a difference in accuracy to resolution and these figures may be tandied about to confuse the buyer.

Interesting article here:
http://mikes-models.com/blog/index.php/2008/09/how-acurate-is-acurate-digital-calipers-versus-old-micrometers/


Might have to see if I can get a good used metric mic on ebay at a reasonable price. Although it might open up a whole world of inaccuracy in my ability and machine set up :~

Mics seem to come with different tips, are flat or point preferred or is it determined purely by what you want to measure?

[DSEL74]

How do you date a mic?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/IyUAAOxy~dNTIoDp/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/Ll0AAMXQ1d1TG-bS/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/7Z4AAOxyj4hTG-fJ/$_12.JPG

All Mitutoyo all 0-25mm, 0.01mm all same price used.

I'm leaning towards the one from the drawing office (centre)

[pipeclay]

Just be nice to it and take it to a nice bar.

[nearnexus]

The main downside of any caliper measuring device is that you can easily measure off 90 degrees - that is, the jaws/ knife edges can easily tilt from true 90 degrees. This will give an incorrect/ larger measurement.

As a micrometer has flat jaw faces it eliminates this error when used correctly.

Rob

[azzrock]

How do you date a mic?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/IyUAAOxy~dNTIoDp/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/Ll0AAMXQ1d1TG-bS/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/7Z4AAOxyj4hTG-fJ/$_12.JPG

All Mitutoyo all 0-25mm, 0.01mm all same price used.

I'm leaning towards the one from the drawing office (centre)


the blue one i think is the most modern model.
flat anvils is the most popular for general work.
for measuring the wall thickness of pipe or bearings
the fixed anvil is rounded

[DSEL74]

I saw one of the blue ones advertised as the economy model…Is there different grades all show same specs.

[azzrock]

I saw one of the blue ones advertised as the economy model…Is there different grades all show same specs.

im not shore ive got one that looks the same 0-25mm
ill compare it to other ones i have.
aaron

[RayG]

Hi Dale,

You need both. The biggest advantage of the calipers, is the huge range, 0 - 150 mm and often more. Whereas Micrometers are limited in range..
To cover the same range as a caliper you'd need a number of micrometers.

The other advantages of calipers include the ability to do inside and outside measurements, not so easy with a micrometer.

But if you want to turn something to a particular fit that requires 0.01 or better accuracy, you won't get the precision with calipers, for all the reasons others have already mentioned.

You'll use calipers 10 times more often than the micrometer... but you still need both.

Ray

[DSEL74]

Hi Dale,

You need both. The biggest advantage of the calipers, is the huge range, 0 - 150 mm and often more. Whereas Micrometers are limited in range..
To cover the same range as a caliper you'd need a number of micrometers.

The other advantages of calipers include the ability to do inside and outside measurements, not so easy with a micrometer.

But if you want to turn something to a particular fit that requires 0.01 or better accuracy, you won't get the precision with calipers, for all the reasons others have already mentioned.

You'll use calipers 10 times more often than the micrometer... but you still need both.

Ray


I have several good vernier callipers, a good dial calliper, and a cheap digital one. Starting to think may be the digital one should go in the bin and default back to the dial calliper. So I'm on the hunt for a Metric Mic it seems in 0-25, and maybe a 25-50 or what ever the next step is. Seems Mitutoyo and Moore & Wright metrics go for around $25 Used and chinese ones $13 New inc postage. I still think the used ones are the way to go…..

[cba_melbourne]

How do you date a mic?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/IyUAAOxy~dNTIoDp/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/Ll0AAMXQ1d1TG-bS/$_12.JPGhttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/7Z4AAOxyj4hTG-fJ/$_12.JPG

All Mitutoyo all 0-25mm, 0.01mm all same price used.

I'm leaning towards the one from the drawing office (centre)

- The one with the black plastic handles is the standard model and has been around a long time (I bought mine 40+ Years ago)
- The Blue one top left is the barebone low cost model, and has also been around a long time. Its new price is about half that ofthe model above.
- The bottom model must be the oldest one, maybe 1950's?

Chris

[Ropetangler]

If you want to see the range that Mitutoyo make, here is a link to the American branches catalogue. http://ecatalog.mitutoyo.com/Micrometers-C1066.aspx
You will see a bewildering range, with features to enhance particular measurement tasks, work environments, accuracy requirements and probably dozens of other special requirements as well. The blue one you pictured, is one of their base models, but is up to most measuring tasks within its measuring range that you would see in general industry, and perfectly adequate for general use. Do be aware that like Rolex watches, Mitutoyo have their admirers who copy them, and then offer to share their handywork.
Having said all that, there will be plenty of good ones on eBay, as well as abused examples, so personal inspection if possible is advised. Others here will be more qualified than me to advise you on this, but if I was after a 0 - 25mm mike say, I would check that it read 0 when in the closed position, and then with a standard, I would see if it read correctly at the dimension of that standard. Most likely 25mm in this case. If it doesn't read 0 when closed and with the anvil and spindle faces wiped clean, then I would ask the seller to adjust the zero setting till it was reading 0, and then test with a standard to see if accuracy was maintained along the measuring range. While a set of gauge blocks would be ideal, not many will have them available to us. Either ball or roller bearings, or bearing cups from reputable manufacturers like Timken, SKF and FAG amongst many others will make good alternative test pieces, as the measurements of these items is to high levels of accuracy and is also well documented in bearing catalogues.
Rob.

[nearnexus]

- .

- The bottom model must be the oldest one, maybe 1950's?

Chris

I've got one the same as the bottom one, that I bought new. I think it's about 10 years old now.

Mitutoyo mikes are a pleasure to use.

Always gives me a good feeling rolling through the range - it's just so silky smooth, and accurate.

Nice.

Rob

[PDW]

Hi Dale,

You need both. The biggest advantage of the calipers, is the huge range, 0 - 150 mm and often more. Whereas Micrometers are limited in range..
To cover the same range as a caliper you'd need a number of micrometers.


You're not wrong. My Mitutoyo mikes go to 12" in inch measurements and my metric mikes go to 100mm. Haven't needed a bigger metric mike yet.

I use verniers all the time for rough measurements say +/- 0.002" - they (and I on a good day) can do better but if I really need better, I use a mike. Got about 7 pairs of calipers I think - 3 Mitutoyo sets, 3 Chinese sets and a Kingchrome electronic digital one. That one is handy for the fast/rough inch/metric stuff. The Chinese ones get used all the time for measuring drill bit shanks etc etc and I really don't care much what happens to them. The Mits ones live with the lathes & mills.

I don't like electronic digital measuring gear. I have some but I don't like it. Other people are very happy with it so it's just a prejudice on my part.

Be aware that Mitutoyo electronic mikes seem to be commonly faked & sold on ebay. I'd be very careful buying them there.

PDW

[Ropetangler]

I've got one the same as the bottom one, that I bought new. I think it's about 10 years old now.

Mitutoyo mikes are a pleasure to use.

Always gives me a good feeling rolling through the range - it's just so silky smooth, and accurate.

Nice.

Rob

Agree Rob, they are nice mikes, and according to the link I posted earlier I would say that the examples pictured are all currently in production, virtually unchanged. I don't know how you would date them other than by serial number, and perhaps colour changes or other subtle changes in finish in some cases.
Rob.

[DSEL74]

Great info thanks guys.

Outside Micrometers - Series 102

Series 102
Features


Heat-insulated frame, tapered (on the anvil side) for hard-to-reach places.
With a standard bar except for 0-25mm
A ratchet stop for a constant measuring force.
Supplied in a fitted plastic case.

Technical Datahttp://www.mitutoyo.com/Images/003/305/102-301.jpg

Graduation: 0.01mm
Flatness:0.3µm
Parallelism:
1µm for 25mm model
3µm for models up to 100mm
Measuring faces: Carbide tipped






Outside Micrometers Series-103

Series 103
Features


Hammertone-green, baked-enamelfinished frame.
Ratchet Stop or Friction Thimble for exact repetitive readings.
With a standard bar except for 0-1" model



http://www.mitutoyo.com/Images/003/313/103-260.jpg
Technical Data

Graduation: .001" or .0001"
Flatness: .000024” for models up
to 12” .00004” for models over 12”
Parallelism: [.00008 + .00004 (L/4)]” L= max range (inch)
Measuring faces: Carbide tipped


METRIC 103

Series 103
Features


Hammertone-green, baked-enamelfinished frame.
Ratchet Stop for exact repetitive readings.
With a standard bar except for 0-25mm model.

Technical Data

Graduation: 0.01mm, 0.001mm
Flatness: 0.6µm for models up to 300mm
1µm for models over 300mm
Parallelism: (2+R/100)µm, R=max. range (mm)
Measuring faces: Carbide tipped

Note:Models with a range up to 1000mm are available

- See more at: http://ecatalog.mitutoyo.com/Outside-Micrometers-Series-103-METRIC-C1571.aspx#sthash.mNi0URkn.dpuf




Outside Micrometers - Series 101

Series 101
Features


Satin-chrome-finished frame, tapered (on the anvil side) for hard-to-reach places.
With a standard bar except for 0-1" models.
Supplied in fitted plastic case.

http://www.mitutoyo.com/Images/003/305/101-113.jpg

Technical Data Graduation:.0001"

Flatness:.000024"

Parallelism: .00008" for models up to 3" .00012" for models over 3"

Measuring faces: Carbide tipped

[toolman49]

G'Day Fellas,
I am by no means an authority on dating Mitutoyo Micrometers, but looking through my assortment, they have used 3 different logos over the years, the original cursive script logo seems to go back to the 1950s and 1960s, the all capitals logo from about 1970s to 2000 and the current leading capital "M' followed by lower case letters since then.
Regards,
Martin

[nearnexus]

G'Day Fellas,
I am by no means an authority on dating Mitutoyo Micrometers, but looking through my assortment, they have used 3 different logos over the years, the original cursive script logo seems to go back to the 1950s and 1960s, the all capitals logo from about 1970s to 2000 and the current leading capital "M' followed by lower case letters since then.
Regards,
Martin

My Mitutoyo has cursive script logo. I know I've had it at least ten years, possibly 20, but certainly didn't buy it new any earlier than the mid 70's.

Rob

[toolman49]

Hi Ron,
As I said I'm no authority, and there does seem to be some cross over, my 1971 dated dial calipers have the all capitals logo. With used measuring gear, condition and price are more important than age to me, in fact I prefer the older micrometers with metal lock levers and ratchet knobs to the current plastic ones.
Regards.
Martin