Essential measuring tools for the home shop

[Mayhem]

"Sir" will also do just fine, as will "My Lord".

[Highpower]

[PixMan]

(09-02-2012, 10:30 AM)Sunset Machine Wrote: Spring calipers, verniers, surface gauges anyone? Although I was a bit surprised at the price of a surface gauge these days: fat part of $200 for a Starret. Ouch.

The only spring caliper I own is a 4" Starrett #79A-4 that I picked up for $5 at a flea market and have never used. I do have one gem of a caliper that I use now & then because it's so versatile. It's a rare Starrett that is double-jointed, allowing it to be used as inside, outside, and hermaphodite calipers, I simply must get a photo of that tool and show you because it's so cool.

The only "vernier" I have is the scale on a Brown & Sharpe 24" height gauge I bought for $65 (in it's hardwood case) from a PracticalMachinist.com seller. As for surface gauges, I have two. I've got the little No.56 Starrett and the machined steel No.257 Starrett. That's the one now close to $200. I got both for $40 from a guy retiring out of Starrett.

That something you can find all over Ebay for about the same money, or less.

[Mayhem]

If anyone can find a deal on tools - PixMan can! He has a Mitutoyo electronic gauge that does everything but fetch you a cold beer at the end of the day. When he told me what he paid for it, part of me was thinking "well done, that is a steal" and the other part was thinking things best not put into print!

However, I have found that if you are patient, watch things on eBay to get a feel for what they go for and are willing to lose several auctions before winning one, there are some deals to be had. The key is to set a price you are willing to spend, take the shipping out and make the balance your maximum bid. The difficult part (for many) in resisting the temptation to just up it a little or bid higher if you get outbid. I've picked up lots of items for a fraction of what they often go for this way.

It was the rare Starrett calipers that made me search out a set of hermaphrodite calipers.

[PixMan]

I recently sold that Mitutoyo digital electronic 2" drop indicator. I'm shopping for the newer model that does fetch the cold beer.

I agree with Mayhem. There's a lot of reason to hate Ebay and PayPal. However, what he says is very true. I knew what I was looking for, and wait until I find the right one that few others (if any) notice. I've been able to make some killings. I can imagine that when I retire in a bazillion years, I'd be a dealer for this kind of thing.

[Mayhem]

(09-03-2012, 07:18 AM)PixMan Wrote: I recently sold that Mitutoyo digital electronic 2" drop indicator. I'm shopping for the newer model that does fetch the cold beer.

I think I have found it:

   

[PixMan]

That's the one!!!! Winnah!

[Wongster]

You guys are soooo cool....

I started a new hobby of buying tools or accessories that don't see the daylight after the intital phototaking... Tool collection is a hobby on its own... hahahahaha...

Regards,
Wong

[Mayhem]

All mine get used. Some more frequently than others but they all get used.

[Highpower]

Hey Wong.... I think you spelled that incorrectly.

"Addiction" doesn't start with an H.