Starrett Repairs?

[Paul Hofnagel]

Okay folks,

I need a bit of advice. My ever generous mother in law bought me a Starrett Dial Caliper for Christmas. Yesterday, said caliper got caught in a slide of other crap from my workbench to the concrete floor. It flew out of its case and has ceased to function.

I've disassembled/ re-assembled most of the mechanism but it refuses to open once re-assembled. If I could get behind the dial I suspect I could make the adjustments to get it working again.

Here's the question. I see that Starrett will take in their tools for repair. Is it more cost effective to send it in for repairs or to simply purchase a new one?

Any thoughts?

[CW]

The thing to do would be to get ahold of them. They probably have a standard price for repairs. Usually, the price is replacement cost (theirs). That usually works out to half to 75% of retail. I have not dealt with Starrett but most companies of this reputation will simply replace the tool for the repair price if it is to bad.

[Mark L.]

I've done both, repaired myself and sent them in. You don't necessarily have to send it to Starrett, if there is a local distributor they can recommend a shop. I wouldn't advise doing it yourself unless you have small tools, good eyes and patience. Behind the dial there are a few small gears, pinions, etc. Doable, but drop just one small piece on the floor and..... IMO, a repair will normally run about 1/2 the price of a new one, depending on how much work there is.

There is a small, long spacer that resides between the rack and the indicator housing. That spacer has a small notch for a pin that keeps it stationary as the housing slides. Make sure the pin is in the clearance hole of the spacer. And make sure the long rack is clean of any chips. Mark L.

Paul Hofnagel wrote:

[John Hofstad-Parkhill]

I had swarf problems with both my Starrett and Brown & Sharpe. The Starrett I sent to Starrett, I don't have the exact numbers on repairs, but the advise you've already received here is about right, closer to $50 for each, depending on model can be a bit less than 1/2 retail.

These guys fixed my B&S:

would recommend either. I was very happy with Viking Gauge.

In either case, the caliper can be calibrated and/or recertified by the service you choose, something that you will unlikely be able to do. I look at it this way, and even though we're talking woodworking here, it's a principal. Accuracy, and your ability to measure it, is reliant on your certified gauges.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Easy answer. You send it in to Starrett. They will handle it in the most cost effective manner. They will have the parts and tools on hand and do the job right. Ed

[John]

Typically cheaper to repair than to buy a new replacement Starrett, as NEW Starretts are pricey

John