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17th February 2015, 12:42 AM #1Senior Member
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Good brands for antique measuring tools/squares/calipers/micrometers etc?
Hey all, it was suggested that I move this question here from the Hand Tools forum:
Just wondering if there's some accepted wisdom on what brands are good to look out for for nice old measuring/machinist tools (ie. when searching ebay/flea markets). I have an inherited old Brown & Sharpe combination square with protractor and centre finder that could well be from the 1930s, and it's just lovely - heavy, sturdy, smooth. The kind of tool that just feels good in the hand! I also have a Stanley combination square that just feels like cheap junk in comparison... Also got some nice Starrett bits and pieces and a Mitutoyo vernier. So what else out there is nice? I see Moore & Wright and Union pop up now and then - are either of them any good?
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17th February 2015, 01:13 AM #2Senior Member
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Those good old tools.
Agree that Mitutoyo are great if you can find them at the right price. My 150mm/6" verniers after 30 years are still my first choice for quick measurements, and a used telescope gauge set still gives good service.
Moore & Wright are fine if they have been cared for, and sets are complete. Still rely on my 0-4" micrometer set from about 1960. Am sure others here have their favorites they can point to.
There are a lot of cheap Asian copies of western brands out there, and (heresy!) they probably have some place in the market where there is only occasional use and we are aware of their limitations. For the odd times I need it my "Mitotuyuc" Chinese DTI will probably see out my remaining years, and my heirs and successors will bin it and not know what it is.Regards,
Combustor.Old iron in the Outback, Kimberley WA.
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17th February 2015, 01:18 AM #3Senior Member
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Cheers Combuster - for a bit of context, I'm trying to find something as a gift, that would be good quality as a user and something that's nice to behold - even if it's not being used much...
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17th February 2015, 06:48 AM #4Philomath in training
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The Swiss stuff has that nice feel too - so Tesa, Interapid, Compac to name a few.
Global trends have meant that a lot of this stuff is now made in China and they seem to not quite have the knock of it that things made in Europe or the US have (not to say that they are always perfect). I'd be looking for something old rather than modern and made in Germany, the UK, US, Swiss to start with.
Michael
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17th February 2015, 01:10 PM #5Pink 10EE owner
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Older and second hand metrology gear can be a gamble as to what you get.. I would say my luck of getting a goodun, has been 70%... 30% was just scrap..
Light red, the colour of choice for the discerning man.
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17th February 2015, 10:25 PM #6
Here's a few ...
English Moore and Wright, Eclipse, Taylor Hobson, Renishaw, Hilger and Watts
Swiss Tesa, Wyler, Browne & Sharp, Mercer, Interapid, Compac, Etalon, Bestest.
American, Early Starrett, Fowler, Dorsey,
German Mahr,
Japanese Mitutoyo.
Ray
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18th February 2015, 07:29 AM #7
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18th February 2015, 01:40 PM #8
Starrett manufacture in China, and lots of other places, as do most of the big brands. The earlier Starrett metrology gear was made in the USA and is good quality.
Just being made in China, doesn't mean it's bad, there are companies who have set up manufacturing in China, and run their own quality control systems..
Ray
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18th February 2015, 08:24 PM #9
Unfortunately its not just Starrett that is still trying to trade on a good rep that was gained from days long gone.
Looked at and used some newer Starret stuff (not test and measure gear) and cant say I thought they were anything to write home about.
Spend more time using mechanics tools than high precision stuff. Always on the look out for older stuff that hasnt been abused too badly from quality manufacturers. From a time when quality seemed to matter more.
Yeah I know our Chinese friends can make decent gear, but havent used many of their handtool offerings (even stuff stamped with an established good name) that I would call quality goods.
www.lockwoodcanvas.com.au
I will never be the person who has everything, not when someone keeps inventing so much cool new stuff to buy.
From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".
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19th February 2015, 11:05 PM #10SENIOR MEMBER
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I would add to Rays list of American tools, Brown & Sharpe which you already have some of, Lufkin, (squares, micrometers, height, surface and depth gauges, rules and/or scales, V blocks and pretty well any precision tools) General, older Craftsman, Scherr Tumico, amongst many others. Both Lufkin and B&S also sell or sold Swiss made tools, Tesa ans Compac under their names as well. Here is a book extract with some nice pictures to whet your appetite - make sure you check out the calipers, and don't expect to come across many of these at car boot sales!
https://books.google.com.au/books?id...ectors&f=false
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20th February 2015, 07:29 PM #11Senior Member
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Great tips everybody, thanks a lot!
Any love for Millers Falls? I've seen a few of their combination squares on ebay...
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20th February 2015, 07:57 PM #12SENIOR MEMBER
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