Budget dial caliper suggestions?

Everybody has a preference and opinion on measuring tools. I own a fairly good selection and have used many more over 45 years in machine shops. Use whatever works for you as long as the measurement is reliable, consistent. and appropriate for the expected accuracy. A tape measure is fine for most carpentry work, a vernier (very-near) caliper can be trusted to +/- .005. Digital calipers are easy to read but most of the cheaper versions are only good to +/- .001, or so it says on the outside of the box. That's ok for many things, if that stated accuracy can even be trusted. For measuring shims I'd suggest using a micrometer. Presuming the shim is for automotive/motorcycles the range is often approximately .002 (.051 mm) as an example. If your caliper is +/- .001 you have a potential error factor of 50% of your tolerance range. Maybe no big deal to you but we haven't even factored in errors from out of parallel jaws that are sprung, poorly machined jaws, beam deflection from excessive hand pressure, profile deviation of the shim (can't measure this with a caliper), and/or excessive gib clearance leading to deflection in the moving jaw. I don't particularly look forward to valve adjustment, I have other things that require my time. I'd prefer to swap shims just once and move on, that calls for accurate measurements with the least amount of error factors. Even an inexpensive used micrometer ($25) should be regarded as having far greater potential accuracy than a caliper regardless of who makes it. A caliper is fine for what it was designed to do, I have/use them from 6" out to 24" but don't expect them to provide a trustworthy reading to +/- .001. Choose what you use for the level of work you want/expect, that's what professionals do. YMMV.

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Originally Posted by

i think you a missing the point.
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buy any caliper for any price from anybody and at
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day 2 it is already getting old and first time you drop it it will be damaged and first time you measure something hard as Stainless or harder it will start to wear.
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i buy a new caliper every year on purpose. always in good shape with hardly any signs of wear. actually i put the date i bought it right on the case. when i see it is getting old it reminds me to go buy another one.
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the thought of buying used tools make me cringe. you want quality usually first thing is nothing too old. unless it is in original package unopened still covered in rust preservative.

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