Cheap mics

[SVcummins]

Bought a cheap set zero to six inch micrometers to have around the engine shop .







 

[K Effective]

Local Craig'sList had a Brown and Sharpe version asking $345; it's gone this morning.
 

[timcasbolt]

[miangus]

A few years back I was at a automotive swap meet, I guy had a Starret set with the changeable anvils 0 to 6" for $100.00 . I didn't haggle just gave him a $100.00 bill. I use it to measure pistons and set the bore gauge. I recently purchased a set like shown above, it seems to be a good value. Would be better then using a set of calipers. The set comes with gauges and you can set to zero. It cost exactly the same $100.00. I will probably still use the Starret, something about getting it out of the oak box and setting the anvil is satisfyingly.
 

[Bret4207]

I bought an inexpensive Chinese set some years back for the same purpose. I checked the standards against a good set (Starret IIRC) of a local business and the standards were pretty close to dead on. I just make sure the mic is good on the standard and use them carefully. Using a mic is all about consistency and feel anyway.
 

[BRSnKY]

Just run the standards against a known true set in town.
 

[Butch(OH)]

I bought the same type of 0-12". I don't need to read tenths for what I need them for, .001 is good enough. When I checked them with a set of known standards they were spot on. Just so you know there is a finger pad in the middle of the arch for a reason. Makes little difference how you hold a 0-1 or 1-2 but you get into the bigger sizes the heat from your hand will make for surprisingly large errors.
 

[SVcummins]

One thousandth is plenty close for what I’ll ever do we’re not building jet engines or space shuttle parts
 

[CGID]

Starrett, Brown & Sharp and other expensive mics are made for industrial use. They see more use in a month than most of us will expose ours to in a lifetime. The difference in price is a measure of the tools ability to hold tolerance over time. The inexpensive ones do not have the service life of the others. That being said, I buy Starrett for pride of ownership and patriotism. And I have never regretted the money spent on a good tool.
 

[SVcummins]

I’d like a staret set but I don’t have the money to invest in a set like that . I use to spend a lot of money on tools but I just can’t do it anymore .
 

[Ultradog MN]

I agree.
No micrometer is permanently accurate. They need to be checked on a standard and adjusted on occasion. A cheap mic just needs it more often.
For most guys who don't use them every day +/- .001 is about the best they can do with even the best mic anyway.
SV, always use the ratchet to tighten the mic down. Two clicks. It takes an experienced hand to do it with thumb and finger on the barrel of the mic.
 

[dr sportster]

I have Mitutoya . It was the only brand the tool store carried and I had a gift certificate from my boss. I also cleaned out a Tool and Die shop and have lots of Starrett and B&S . I also have a Sunnen dial bore gauge good to the ten thou.
 

[SVcummins]

Thanks for the advice . I do try to use the ratchet when ever I’m tightening
 

[SVcummins]

A lot setting valve lash