From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

I decided I needed a couple more dial calipers. I like Mitutoyo, but
they are expensive, and I'm not crazy about it when I have to toss an expensive set of calipers 50 feet across the shop to try and hit a
garbage can.

I've got a 12" Fowler caliper, assorted verniers, a couple Mitutoyo, a
couple no name, and 24" Anytime.

They each have an issue. Squishy measurement, markings not as sharp as
they should be, markings closer to wrong line, price, etc.

I went to McMaster-Carr to see what they offered. Of course they had
Mitutoyo and one or two other expensive brands, but they listed one that
just said McMaster Approved. McMaster shows them as made in China.
Usually when you click on product detail you can figure out the brand,
but not this time. They are not cheap, but they are cheaper than
Mitutoyo. I ordered a couple sets anyway. A 6 and an 8 inch.

When the new calipers arrived I was surprised at the brand. The brand
is more well known (at least to me) for cheap battery powered stick on
DROs. McMaster said made in China, but some sources claim they are made
in California.

At first I was not happy. They look sharp, and may have the best
markings, and be the easiest to read dial calipers I have ever used, but
they felt crunchy.

I blew them out, cleaned the rack, blew them out again, and used them.
They felt better, but not silky smooth. I was prepared to replace them
the very next time I had a little cushion in the tool budget.

I've been using them for a couple months now. A few times a week, and
several times a day some weeks. They have completely smoothed out.
Almost as nice under the thumb as my Mitutoyos, and much easier to read.
I have gotten in the habit of wiping the jaws, and checking zero every
time with calipers, but these hardly drift at all, and they are very repeatable. I would buy them again. In fact I might buy some more soon
for other areas in the shop

The name? Some of you already know, and some probably figured it out. iGaging.

Posted this a last Sunday via polytheft forums. I was at the hospital
with a family member posting from my phone, and I still haven't found a
mobile Usenet client. I figured if the polytheft forums can scavenge
our content to falsely inflate content for their for profit website I
should be able to post from there. Seems every post om their forum
requires manual approval, and a week later my post never appeared.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff


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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 11/8/2025 11:06 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:

Posted this a last Sunday via polytheft forums.-a I was at the hospital
with a family member posting from my phone, and I still haven't found a mobile Usenet client.-a I figured if the polytheft forums can scavenge
our content to falsely inflate content for their for profit website I
should be able to post from there.-a Seems every post om their forum requires manual approval, and a week later my post never appeared.

--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sat, 8 Nov 2025 11:06:19 -0700
Bob La Londe <none@none.com99> wrote:

...but they felt crunchy.

First noticed this with cheapo Hemostats several years ago. Made in
Pakistan models that the buffing compound used on them had never been
cleaned up. Gray to dark grayish sticky, gritty goo. Took me awhile to
remember where I'd seen it before and then it finally "clicked"Efya
Since then I've found the same with an HF 4 inch Digital Caliper and an
Aldi 6 inch Digital Caliper. The Aldi was made in China. Not sure about
the HF model. Couldn't find anything on it. I tore the HF down and
cleaned all the old compound out of it. Haven't needed the Aldi one for anything and haven't cleaned it up yet...
--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI
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