Quality precision measuring tools are well worth the investment if you plan
to have any quantity machining work done. I will spare the details, but it
is amazing how many mistakes even a "quality" machine shop can make (i.e.,
I've had engines come back with no [yes, zero] clearance from shops which
should have known better). Without good tools, you can't catch all the
mistakes (or tell whether machining is necessary in the first place).
Unless you are short of cash, it is a good idea to go with the best
precision tools you can afford (that includes micrometers). I'm sure you
will get this message from a million different folks, but it is an important
one that will save you money in the long run.
Good luck,
Brian Watkins
brianwatkins@sprintmail.com
>
>In a message dated 98-04-13 14:38:22 EDT, mliggett-receive-shop-
>talk@elise.kiva.net writes:
>
><< I'd like to be able to measure over a wide range. Currently I have a
> hand-me-down 1" mike which is nice but limited. Instead of investing in
> a bunch of different micrometers, I thought a dial or digital caliper
> might be more useful. I would use it mostly for measuring cranks, bores,
> cams and the like. >>
>
>Matt:
>Calipers are less accurate than mics but easier to use. I carry, in my car,
an
>Enco dial caliper for those spot checks when buying a part (cost $16. or
so).
>And use Starrett (talk about expensive !!!!) stuff in the shop when I build
>engines and check machine work. I would start off with a dial caliper and
then
>get a 0-1,1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 outside mic and maybe a depth mic and a few
snap
>gauges and a dial indicator and holders. Others will have their own
opinion,
>but that is what worked for me when starting out. .
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