Micrometer Set

[Lyle's GTP]

Ok, you guys have to check this out. I don't know your honest opinions about imorted tools but this deal seems almost too good. But give me some feedback.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7548984623&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

They apparently have carbide measuring surfaces and are graduated to .0001" with a ratchet-stop thimble. The guy told me that they have a 30 day money back guarantee on defects. They also cover return shipping on defective product. He also said that they are made in China and have no brand name, completely generic. He said he sells thousands of these sets an are always available.

What do you think, I'm sure you know, that a similar brand name set costs $1000.00 plus. I'm seriously considering it, because I have access to a proven set to reference thier accuracy.

Lyle

[RednBlack]

If you bought those,.... Not a bad price for big mics. They won't measure a tenth though. Accurate on a thou. (Maybe) Good enough for autowork.

Tenths come from few companies. Starrett and Interapid are a couple.

I buy a lot of Machinist tools from E Bay. Good brands are cheap. A lot of toolmakers are selling. Chinese sux. Personally, I prefer German.

[bud36light]

Chinese sux

Yes China sux. Has anyone ever had a decent Chinese made tool? For that matter the last 3 molds we got at work were built in China. POS.They even seem to rust quicker than our others. Point is the tools(molds) were built with Chinese tools

[Lyle's GTP]

I've actually have used lots of good tools made in China. I think the biggest thing with chinese product is quality control. They will make anything just as good as anywhere else if the specs are set that way. In my experience most tools made in China are junk, but I guess when you look around probably 8 out of 10 products in your house is made in China so they must make some good stuff.

They claim these mics measure to .0001" so who am I to argue. I guess I can give them a try and see how they are. Like I said, I have access to an identical set of Starret vernier mics. So I can take multiple measurments with each and see how they check out.

I personaly preffer Mitutoyo or Starret myself, but even an interchange anvil set would be way over $1000.00 and would only measure to .001". This type of set is something I wouldn't really condsider buying, but considering the price it's hard to pass up.

Keep the feed back coming, I haven't made up my mind yet.

Lyle

[SappySE107]

I bet they are better than nothing:P If/when I need those, im going to buy 1 at a time of a quality piece. Buy junk once, you will end up buying another later on. Then where is the value? I guess it really matters if you are going to depend on them quite a bit over a long period of time. To build 1 motor or whatever, id never spend 1000+ for a set.

[Lyle's GTP]

I rarely need to measure anything accuratly over 3 inch diameter. Maybe once a month I will need to deal with a 10 inch ID roller bearing and have to check the fit. But other than that, not much. So, I was planning on buying 2 more good brand name mics for my everyday measuring form 0-3 inches. I already have one really good Mitutoyo mic and Mitutoyo digital caliper. I thought a set like this (if it is decent) would be good to have.

Lyle

[SappySE107]

Pistons and cylinder bores as as large as I think ill be needing, which is 4" stock on my 59 371 block that I get to rebuild hopefully this winter I haven't priced any quality mics yet though

[Lyle's GTP]

I just found a Mitutoyo 0-12" set identical to this one. God damn they are $2050.00 USD!!! BUT... they are on sale for $1537.50 right now. Whhhheeewww... what a relief!!!

There are a couple sets bidding on ebay for the $400.00 USD range right now. But, I'm really reserved when it comes to used precision tools. Because, shit if you drop one of these things once, that's all it takes to send it to hell.

Lyle

[RidgeRunner]

Check flea markets. I got a Mitutoyu dial caliper (0"-6") for twenty bucks. Goes down to .001"

I have since seen a 0-8ish inch micrometer set in a wooden box similar to what you're looking at, was something like $100. Don't recall what brand it was though. Looked nice.

[eliteweapons]

http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyAsk/harborfreight/results.jsp

These guys have some stuff made in china too but not everything. Some of their stuff is pretty good and some is pretty CHEAP. But overall you can get some good stuff here. I wouldn't buy just anything from here without looking at it first to see how well it is made.

[SappySE107]

That link is no good.

https://www.harborfreight.com

[Lyle's GTP]

So, I emailed them again and asked if I bought the mics and they were inaccurate, if they would cover the return shipping on defects. This was his reply.

If you are looking for mics that that are precise these are not the ones for you. These are imports from China that are pretty good. They may or may not read to the exact specs. Thanks again!

Well, I guess that's that. I'm not going to bother trying them. Hey, at least he was honest.

Lyle

[RednBlack]

Chinese does suck, as I said. Quality machinist tools are expensive. But, in auto work, that you do at home, you never have to deal in .0001". I've never seen it. Cam grinders will. Crank grinders will, not you though.

Look at it this way... A piece of paper is .003". Rice paper is .001". A lot of toolmakers keep rolling papers in their box. Not for smoking.

Tenths of Thousandths are usually reserved for Micro Molding or Graphite used to burn.

Chances are, the set you are looking at, will serve you well.

My machinist box, is about a 1/4 size of my mechanic box. And worth a lot more. But that is my job.

Harbor Freight sux too. Nuff said about them.

[geoffinbc]

I never look at tools in the "well it will be good for what I do" type of way. I always buy premium stuff. Reason being you will only buy it once. Not only for yourself but a quality tool will outlive you and your kids so you can hand them down. Quality tools are an investment that goes beyond a lifetime.

Also factor in the after sale service. I have shreded like 3 craftsman sockets because I used them as impact sockets on rusty stubborn parts. All I do it walk in grab a socket off the shelf show the sales guy the old one and he strikes one of his inventory list and says have a nice day. I could do it a million times and never be asked why they broke. Same goes for my buddy and his Miller welding helmet. The module was not shutting the helmet off and the batteries kept dying. We took it back the salesman called Miller and Miller said "give him a new one" so we got a new one same day and we were on our way. Because a welder NEEDS his helmet it would be unacceptable to have to wait for service. Miller is a good company and know this and knows how to treat the people who pay good money (In this case almost $400) for their products.

Do you this he would got this service if he bough a $99 auto tint Helmet? Fuck NO! I just love it we my buddy and I are asked how much we paid for our helmets. We tell the guy "Oh around $400" they laugh at us and say Oh I got mine on sale for $79. But then 20 mins later you see the guy welding with a standard helmet because his POS will not darken on a TIG machine cuz the dam this is built like shit and is not sensitive enough. If I turn my sensitivity up it will darken by just the ceiling lamps.

[Lyle's GTP]

Well, I need .0001". I'm not in automotive. I'm a Millwright. Bearing sizes and shaft/housing tolerances are always in .0001". I have $10000 in tools so far (no rediculas brand names either) and plan on spending about another 10 probably half of which will be on precision measurment and layout tools.

I just thought that if they were claiming a very accurate tool at a very cheap price maybe it was worth a try. But If they tell me not to bother, than too bad. But that's OK. I found a company here that sells Mitutoyo/Starrett cheaper than anybody I've seen so far, even ebay. Here are the mics that I'm planning on buying very soon anyway. I'm going to buy this series up to 4 inch.

http://www.mit-sg.com/English/Products/Mitutoyo/CoolantMicrometer.htm

Then buy this series from 5-12".

http://www.use-enco.com/cgi/INSRIT?PMAKA=DB600-2147&PMPANO=0283552&PMKANO=33&PMKBNO=746&PMPAGE=44&PARTPG=INLMPI

What do you think? It's gonna cost, but I don't care. It's not like I won't have them forever. Unless somebody decides to steal from me.

Lyle