 TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Looking to buy a decent metric micometer and a nm torque wrench without spending an aweful lot of moola. Got any good suggestions? Any other tools (other than whats mentioned in the vault) that you might recommend? 
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
A dial caliper is handier and easier/quicker to read than a Mic. I had 3 Torque wrenches 1/4, 3/8ths, and a 1/2" and I still had to hunt for and buy two more to cover all the Nm values in the manual. Mainly the lighter values required are hard to cover as most T. wrenches start out too high.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Ryk how do you feel about digital Mics? BTW I can have all this calibrated anytime I need to here at work.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
I have a Starrett, it's nice to just hit the button and it goes to metric and or back to inches, I still use my mechanical ones more often. I do not like electronic speedos either, nothing wrong with them, I just like things mechanical. I suggest, if your going digital, you stick with Mitutoyo, Starrett, or Brown & Sharpe. Moore & Wright makes great precision tools too.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
If what you need is a reasonably accurate digital caliper then this one is a great deal for the money: Home Depot Caliper I have a mechanical Mitutoyo micrometer but never use it because the above caliper does what I need. Don't bother with the ones from Harbor Freight. They are not as accurate.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 988
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 988 |
Quote:
Looking to buy a decent metric micometer and a nm torque wrench without spending an aweful lot of moola. Got any good suggestions? Any other tools (other than whats mentioned in the vault) that you might recommend?
What were you looking to spend on a torque wrench? I might have one for sale, it has two scales, one for ft. lbs. and one for nm. it is 3/8 drive and goes from 20-100 ft. lbs.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
What were you looking to spend on a torque wrench? I might have one for sale, it has two scales, one for ft. lbs. and one for nm. it is 3/8 drive and goes from 20-100 ft. lbs.
"20-100 ft. lbs" That's a handy one, for sure.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
A dial caliper is handier and easier/quicker to read than a Mic.
That's true but not always the best choice. Checking valve shims for instance. They need to be measured in the center and a caliper will stop on the edges and leave the wear surface unmeasured.
Quote:
I had 3 Torque wrenches 1/4, 3/8ths, and a 1/2" and I still had to hunt for and buy two more to cover all the Nm values in the manual. Mainly the lighter values required are hard to cover as most T. wrenches start out too high.
As torque wrenches go, for the smaller adjustments I prefer a beam type 1/4" and/or 3/8" drive, they start at "0". For higher torques a "clicker" is fine.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
... Checking valve shims for instance. They need to be measured in the center and a caliper will stop on the edges and leave the wear surface unmeasured...As torque wrenches go, for the smaller adjustments I prefer a beam type...
Both good points.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Yep valve shims was exactly what I had in mind when I said mic. Although a good set of calipers would be nice to have as well.
As far as price I have no idea.... Thats why I was asking here. I'm familiar with some of the above mentioned names but not the price associated with them as I only used them while in the military or at work now. I guess I can go price shopping, mostly just asking here for a ball park and opinions.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Shouldn't use a caliper on valve shims though since they are not flat. For that you need a micrometer. I don't find it hard to read a micrometer.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
. [image]  [/image] Is this what you call a Beam Type? BTW, I with Ian on this, I have not found a dished shim as of yet and I surveyed a lot of used ones at a couple of bike shops to find the ones I needed.
Last edited by Ryk; 08/03/2013 7:46 PM.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
I have a caliper, and WANT a micrometer. From what I've seen on Micrometers;
Junk, $25-$80
Good enough for me, $130-$160
For Pretty Boys (or talented people), $300-$600
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
I have a whole set that were my grandfathers, he was a mechanical engineer among other things and he built liquid O2 trailers in our barn, again among other things. (They made every part except bearings.) He also desinged and built a lot of the machinery they put in Bethlehem Steel when building it. All the tool I have from him are the best. Even good measuring tools should be calibrated from time to time.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Well I definitely don't want no junk, I'm not pretty by any means, fairly talented but wouldn't use them enough for that price tag. So I'll most likely fall in the good enough for me range.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Ebay is flush with quality tools, and plenty of ChiCom junk as well. You definitely don't have to pay Erle's prices to get name brands either. I bought a boxed set of 3 Mitutoyo mics (0"-1, 1"-2, 2"-3) for $65 + shipping on EBay for my millwright son as a Xmas present last Holidays season. Most of the really steal deals are the ones that do not lapse on the weekend, so it seems to me. Less competition in the final bidding.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
I have a caliper, and WANT a micrometer. From what I've seen on Micrometers;
Junk, $25-$80
Good enough for me, $130-$160
For Pretty Boys (or talented people), $300-$600
Back on March 29, 2005 I bought from Tool Topia, a Fowler 54-850-001 Electronic Micrometer for $67.13. Works for me. Shoot, dern thing is now 100 big ones.
Similar models:
http://www.tooltopia.com/fowler-74-870-001.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/fowler-72-224-001.aspx
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Even good measuring tools should be calibrated from time to time.
How much does it cost to check, and reset if necessary, the calibration of a used mic., especially a digital one?
The prices I've posted were for NEW, no calibration check needed. (or would it be wise to even have a NEW one verified?)
Would just like to know, so I can include that expense into the price when I compare used to new.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Quote:
I have a caliper, and WANT a micrometer. From what I've seen on Micrometers;
Junk, $25-$80
Good enough for me, $130-$160
For Pretty Boys (or talented people), $300-$600
Back on March 29, 2005 I bought from Tool Topia, a Fowler 54-850-001 Electronic Micrometer for $67.13. Works for me. Shoot, dern thing is now 100 big ones.
Similar models:
http://www.tooltopia.com/fowler-74-870-001.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/fowler-72-224-001.aspx
COOL! 
I might get to lower my "Good enough for me" price! 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
I have shim stock and calibrate my own so costs me nothing to do.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 558
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 558 |
Honestly, if it's a tool you'll use every once in a while and not everyday, the harbor freight digital caliper and mic is just fine. I've been working with people who have those and we check them every once in a while to mine and it's dead on. Good thing about them is they are so cheap that if it's off you just toss it and get a new one.
2008 Speedy, AI removed, DIY airbox destruction with K&N filters, spectres, re-jetted and "custom" rattle can paint job.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
Honestly, if it's a tool you'll use every once in a while and not everyday, the harbor freight digital caliper and mic is just fine. I've been working with people who have those and we check them every once in a while to mine and it's dead on. Good thing about them is they are so cheap that if it's off you just toss it and get a new one.
My General Tool caliper holds zero. My HF caliper doesn't.
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Well I just did some ebay shopping, got a Brown & Sharpe mic, a Corco slide caliper and a Matco 3/8 torque wrench all for about $65. Hopefully all in decent shape (appeared to be anyway)
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Did you buy a Vernier Caliper? Reading those are a lost art. I had to learn how to read those during my apprenticeship, about a million years ago. I would need a refresher to remember how, now.
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 Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I've had the same Sears Craftsman torque wrench for 30 years now. Can't help you with the calipers.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Of course they're vernier, duh? What kind of self respecting nut job like me would cheat and use a dial? 
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Re: TOOL RECOMMENDATION
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
. [image][/image]
Is this what you call a Beam Type? BTW, I with Ian on this, I have not found a dished shim as of yet and I surveyed a lot of used ones at a couple of bike shops to find the ones I needed.
Like this:
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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