wow, good quote

Wed, Dec 8, 2004, 10:53am (EST-3) Chuck snipped-for-privacy@excite.com (Chuck) says: I have a super-cheapo plastic dial caliper from Big Lots.

I got one too. $2. Measures in inches. Then when I got home, I found out it's only the package says it's in inches, the dial is in millimeters. LOL On the other hand, I got it for woodworking, and it's more than accurate enough for that. Just have to print out a millimeter to inch scale, so I know what measurements I'm working with.

JOAT Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind dont matter, and those who matter dont mind.

- Dr Seuss

Not necessarily. Every couple of months? I've used "Import" calipers at work that had to be calibrated before every measurement- and that was just to get them to be accurate to within 15 thousandths. Even then, they were obviously not trustworthy, and I still double-checked parts with my handy cabinetmaker's rule. Some cheap tools may be able to do it, but not all of them- not by a long shot! The big difference is in what you feel you need to use when it comes to calipers. If you feel you must have a cheap dial or digital caliper, prepared to be disappointed if you use the sucker much, especially under less than ideal conditions. OTOH, a vernier caliper will usually stay right on longer, and there are less parts to wear out or break. They're a little harder to read, but the price and accuracy difference make them a bargin, at least in my experience. Aut inveniam viam aut faciam