When people talk about calipers, why settle for plastic, when you can
buy steel and stainless steel one for under $20 from Harbor Freight
Tools 1-800-423-2567 or at <harborfreight.com> . You can buy
metric/inch calipers for about $50. These are made in China and very
good, I have checked them out with Jo Blocks to better than .001" Get
the catalogue, and you won’t be paying high prices anymore. Diamond
grinders and files and lots more. John Burton, Mech. Eng.
John, I agree, but I have a nice plastic one, that I use for wax work
only. I don’t have to be so careful not to mark the wax. Curtis
Another source here for good quality calipers: A few months ago,
Karen Christians from MetalWerx posted a note about digital calipers
in mm and inches from Penn Tools in New Jersey. They were the same
Mituyo (sp) model as Rio Grande sells for over $150 and they were a
web price of $69. plus change. I bought them and have been very happy
with them, especially as my eyes deteriorate a bit when I am squinting
at small dials for too long. The item number is 700 -113 and their
web site is http://www.penntool.com They seem quite well made. So thank
you again, Karen!
Shael
dakotahdog@msn.com
Shael: Glad to know that you purchased one. My calipers are my right
arm, they score, measure, lock well and have nice big numbers to read.
When I was at Mass Art, we were given Alan’s Hollow Hinge Bracelet as
an assignment. I had my nice digital calipers and couldn’t do the job
without it. Now I give other assignments from that book to my
students as an excercise in measuring and math. We have a second one
for the studio. It was frustrating as hell, but they all learned a
lot.
But for wax, I agree, the plastic ones would be good too. I haven’t
found a set that locks though. The Chinese ones are kind of twitchy
and the display jumps around a bit.
-k
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
10 Walnut St.
Woburn, MA 01801
781/937-3532
http://www.metalwerx.com/
@metalart
Current Artwork:
They were the same Mituyo (sp) model as Rio Grande sells for over $150 and they were a web price of $69. plus change.
I just had the same experience, unfortunately. Bought that exact
digital caliper, from Rio, at the price stated. About a week later I
saw the identical item in stock at a local WT Tool (Western Tool) for
in the neighborhood of $80. Just goes to reinforce that I should
continue to identify sources outside the jewelry specialty to obtain
jewelry quality tools and supplies, whenever possible.
In spite of the dreadful rip-off, I love the caliper! Visually I can
split a millimeter in half, or maybe thirds, with my old caliper.
1/100th of a millimeter is remarkable. And it registers the
measurement very quickly… as quickly as you can be sure the caliper
is snug.
All the best,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@CarolinaArtisans.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com
Hello, (I took the liberty of correcting the website address above.)
I would add a couple other good tool buys found at this site.
#290 is a Dremel electric engraver for $16.95 (even better than Harbor
Freight) - remember that great hint about using these instead of a
hammer handpiece to close down bezels???
#STM-330 is a Precise stereo microscope for $239.95 (10X eyepiece with
1X and 3X objectives and a built in illuminator) - I have to say that
I always set stones using my stereo microscope and would be lost
without it.
Penn Tool Co. also carries a variety of magnifiers such as Optivisors
& eye loupes. Check it out.
Judy in Kansas, hoping for rain.
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Extension Associate
221 Call Hall Kansas State Univerisity
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-1213 FAX (785) 532-5681
Hello all,
It has been brought to my attention that the website was missing from
my previous posting about some good tool prices. Here’s the site:
Hope this solves the mystery.
Judy in Kansas where today will be sunny and delightfully warm.
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Extension Associate
221 Call Hall Kansas State Univerisity
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-1213 FAX (785) 532-5681