Thread: Vernier callipers

I’m shopping around for a vernier calliper. Used would be fine, so long as it hasn’t been mistreated, but such things are almost impossible to assess from a few photos. One must live in hope.

I’ve only ever bought a budget model. So, I thought I’d check out what people say about the various makes. From what I’ve read, people recommended Mitutoyo. Many other brands were highly regarded, (but not the one I currently own – what a joke).

Anyway, while on my search I found a company that no one recommended, which doesn’t prove anything: Ultra. The thing that caught my eye was that one of their callipers offered a 'no parallax' feature, and that took my attention. It's a very nice idea. I gather Mitutoyo made a caliper like that but it has since been discontinued.

Has anyone come across this? https://ultra-germany.shop/en/Pocket...20mm/1868201dp and if so, where do you get it?

No parallax errors are reduced because the scale and vernier are on the same plane.
Ultra.JPG

I will just say: buy the Mitutoyo slide vernier as these are well made and very smooth feel to it.

GT is where I bought mine from and it’s still made in Japan and GT sells original Mitutoyo stuff.

https://generaltools.com.au/product/...slide-vernier/

Several fakes on ebay and used prices are insane for no justified reasons.

In my mid 40’s now and everything I see has parallax and its going to get worse as I grow older

It's a reasonable price for something that gets rave reviews. I'm erring toward the make, of course. But the parallax thing is haunting me.

A used Mitutoyo that has it might be out there somewhere, waiting for me. Then the other thing I want is one with fine adjustment. My old one has that and I love it.

There is such a thing as over thinking an issue…

I have the Mitutoyo calipers with the dial on them, they are nice to use, and weren’t a great deal more expensive than the ones Kafie linked from the same supplier.

If your measurements are that critical that parallax of a vernier scale is problematic then a vernier is not the correct tool to be using for that measurement. Having said that, it’s a personal choice so you do you

I can't offer any suggestions for a vernier caliper, but genuinely interested in why you would prefer one over a digital version.

I grew up using vernier calipers, but to me digital ones have a number of advantages over verniers. Being easier to read is a huge one, and the ability to zero allowing you to do differential measurements directly is something I use almost daily.

Steve

Originally Posted by OxxAndBert

I can't offer any suggestions for a vernier caliper, but genuinely interested in why you would prefer one over a digital version.

I grew up using vernier calipers, but to me digital ones have a number of advantages over verniers. Being easier to read is a huge one, and the ability to zero allowing you to do differential measurements directly is something I use almost daily.

Steve

You get used to a certain thing. Then there are no batteries to go flat on you when you need it. More things to go wrong. Though, I have to say that your comment about 'differential measurements' is something I hadn't considered. Didn't know it was possible. Not sure how I would use that aspect. Still... an interesting idea.

Originally Posted by ErrolFlynn

You get used to a certain thing. Then there are no batteries to go flat on you when you need it. More things to go wrong. Though, I have to say that your comment about 'differential measurements' is something I hadn't considered. Didn't know it was possible. Not sure how I would use that aspect. Still... an interesting idea.

Measuring bolt spacings is the most common scenario. Measure the diameter of the first bolt hole with the inside jaws, then zero to that. Now measure between the outermost points of two bolt holes with the inside jaws, and the reading on your screen is the centre to centre distance of the holes (providing of course, both bolt holes are the same diameter). Or zero on a 123 block ( or dowel pin, whatever), then use the 123 block to clear a lip on whatever you're measuring.

Handy trick, although I tend to still use oldschool verniers most of the time, due to only having an extremely cheap crappy set of digitals.

I'm led to believe that genuine Mitutoyo callipers are not that heavy on batteries. I recently bought a ACCUD branded one, as I got sick and tired of replacing the batteries in the elcheapo ones. Time will tell I suppose.
These are supposed to be only a step down from Mitutoyo ones, it was still over the $100 mark though.
Kryn

I would take digital over vernier any day. It's just so much more convenient.

Insize make nice tools that don't cost a fortune

I have 2 pairs of $14 calipers from M&G Productions.
I also have a Mitutoyo set. The M&G ones are nearly as smooth and seem just as accurate. Have had them for more than 2 years and still on the original battery.
The Mitutoyos' live in their box for special occasions but they haven't been used in nearly the 2 years since the cheapies arrived

Originally Posted by ErrolFlynn

I’m shopping around for a vernier calliper.

You did not mention what length. I recently got a nice 600mm pair...

Originally Posted by OxxAndBert

I grew up using vernier calipers, but to me digital ones have a number of advantages over verniers...the ability to zero allowing you to do differential measurements directly is something I use almost daily.

Another one I use is to adjust to the measurement I want, zero and then I can read the amount to take off diameter directly when turning to size

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

I'm led to believe that genuine Mitutoyo callipers are not that heavy on batteries.

They are one of the few that are - I bought a Moore and Wright 300mm once for those occasional long measurements. I used it every 6 months and by my reckoning changed the battery every time I used it. Genuine Vernier Mitutoyos are particularly good for battery consumption; the dial versions are nearly as good.

Michael

I don’t want to snuff out the conversation because there are some interesting experiences here, but I was interested to know if anyone had come across Ultra Prazision Messzeuge GMBH.

I take it no one knows of their vernier callipers or has one. The link again: https://ultra-germany.shop/en/

The frustrating this is that that company (web link above) doesn't sell to the public and I can't find any store that sells their products. I find that really odd in this capitalist culture. They seem reasonably priced too. The non-parallax calliper I was interested in was 67 Euros which is about $110 (6"/150mm). Okay, there would be shipping costs, but if they were available from some tool store over here it would be one to consider.

It seems that if you happen to be Schaeffler, Rolls-Royce, Rolex etc (some of their customers), you can order their products, but if you’re Joeblow, then, nah, not interested. Talk about a closed shop. I might just have to punish them by spending my money elsewhere.

https://shop.vogel-germany.de/calipe...mm-6-inch.html

Not the brand you were after, but German and parallax free with an online store for the commoners and in the same price range

Hi Guys,

The argument over which is better, digital or mechanical measuring instruments is for me a matter of digital instruments can make measurements that are more difficult to do than with mechanical ones without the faff of having to do sums !

Like Steve mentioned "Differential" measurements. When turning a part, its nice to be able to use a digital vernier, or caliper to set the size you want and then make a measurement and know exactly how much the difference is, and then for all you people that don't use thou's press a button and get the difference in an alternative scale.

Shae are very good digital mic's and calipers ! But you do have to keep an eye on batteries. I keep a standard handy, because I've found that as the battery looses charge the digital readings start to drift around. Though that effect has reduced greatly with the newer digital devices.

I use cheap Lidl verniers/calipers and often compare one against the other ! Surprisingly enough they are usually within a digit of each other particularly on the MM setting.

When I got them I spent a little time cleaning and removing sharp edges, this makes them a lot less rough feeling, but again the quality has improved over time and so has the price.

Whilst I'm sometimes(often) lazy and shouldn't do it, I do use them as a scriber rather than get the proper one out !

Originally Posted by racingtadpole

https://shop.vogel-germany.de/calipe...mm-6-inch.html

Not the brand you were after, but German and parallax free with an online store for the commoners and in the same price range

I could say I’ve never heard of it, but then until a couple of days ago I’d never heard of Ultra, and by the sound of things, neither has anyone else here. The calliper looks almost identical to the Ultra. What's the bet they're not in Australia either.

Thanks for that!