Check out our comprehensive digital caliper buyers guide which includes tips for finding the right tool for you as well as everything to consider when comparing different digital calipers.
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Digital calipers are one of the most versatile measuring tools available. Used by machinists and hobbyists alike, they have found a home in many toolboxes around the world.
Whether you need to learn a little more about how they work, what they are capable of, or maybe you simply want to find the best digital caliper for your application.
No matter what you seek, we have you covered. Check out our top digital caliper related posts below and drop a comment below if you don’t find what you need. We will be sure to add to our extensive list of posts.
Everything you need to know about calipers. A comprehensive guide for anyone looking to learn all about calipers.
Find out which digital calipers top our best of list. Includes tips and things to consider when looking for a quality measuring caliper.
Dive into a selection of articles specifically chosen to help you learn all about digital calipers.
Check out the latest digital caliper reviews from brands such as Starrett, Mitutoyo, Fowler and many more.
For more information check out these related articles:
Starrett has been making precision measuring tools such as micrometers and calipers for over a century. Sure, they know their stuff but how do they stack up against some of the up and coming manufacturers as well as options from tried and true tool manufacturers such as Mitutoyo and Brown and Sharpe?
Keep reading to find out.
Extremely accurate
Built to last
None
This Starrett dial caliper, made out of hardened stainless steel, is perfect for metalworking, woodworking, automotive, and machining applications. The caliper’s sturdy but sleek design – including a satin finished bar – means it will look as good as it works, even after it spends all day banging around in your toolbox or garage.
Like all Starrett products, this dial caliper is designed and built for precision and accuracy. This particular model features a 0 – 6 inch measuring range, 0.001 inch graduation, and one revolution around the dial face is equal to 0.100”.
This caliper is ideal for measuring exact outside dimensions, inside dimensions, and depth.
The dial’s bright white background and black graduations mean it is easy to read, even in bad lighting. The bar itself also comes equipped with black graduations, measuring in both inches and millimeters. The adjustable dial bezel further adds to your ability to take precise measurements.
This Starrett caliper is one of the most versatile tools of its kind on the market. It comes equipped with a thumb-operated fine adjustment roll, and razor-thin contacts.
The jaw has lock screws so you will never have to worry about it moving if you’re measuring at an angle and need to pull the tool out of a tight spot to take your reading. Speaking of readings, the caliper’s spring-loaded double pinion is designed to prevent any backlash for an even higher degree of accuracy.
Though this caliper is extremely sturdy on its own – as mentioned above it is made of hardened stainless steel (never rusts!) – it is nonetheless a tool designed for precision, which means it needs to be treated carefully whenever possible. That is why this caliper comes with a plastic, easy to carry, pin hinge case to store your set when not in use.
In addition to protecting the caliper, the case also makes it harder to misplace or lose this smaller tool when it’s not in use.
Also, with this Starrett dial caliper, you can say goodbye to project delays caused by the fact that your tools won’t turn on. That’s because this caliper uses a dial reader rather than a digital one, so it is always ready to use from the moment you pull it out of its case.
You will not have to buy batteries when the caliper is delivered to you, and you will never have to worry about the instrument dying in the middle of an important job.
You can also rest assured that the dial will reset back to zero after every single use, whereas cheaper digital models can miscalibrate over time and after repeated use.
The accuracy, measuring capability, and quality of parts make this dial caliper a must-have. Starrett might be a name brand, highly trusted industry leader in precision measuring instruments, but this tool really is for everyone – whether you’re an expert, novice, or somewhere in between.
The cost is more than reasonable, and if you’re working with wood, machines, or metal, you can’t afford to buy a cheaper product that will give you inaccurate measurements.
The most common size of calipers is 0-6”. This set from Starrett is exactly that. Larger calipers are available. For larger sizes, they most often come in 0-12” and 0-24” versions. Different measuring range sizes are available, but these are the most common.
Larger sets of calipers can be more difficult to use when trying to measure small sizes. Because of this, most users will have a 0-6” set of calipers in addition to a larger set if they have the need for a larger measuring range.
The 0-6” set usually gets the most use and the larger set gets pulled out only when the smaller caliper won’t do.
Dial calipers almost all give readings at a resolution of .001”. However, they are not all accurate to .001”. Some will give a reading to .001” but only be accurate to .002”. This is more common in larger caliper sets as well as cheaper dial calipers.
When looking for a set of dial calipers, make sure to get a set that has a resolution of .001” and an accuracy of +/- .001”.
For accuracy greater than .001”, you will need to look into a quality micrometer. Micrometers are capable of taking measurements to an accuracy of .0001” or better. That is 10x more accurate than a dial caliper. To learn about the differences between these two types of measuring tools, see our guide to micrometers vs calipers.
Dial calipers are versatile tools. They are capable of taking inside, outside, depth and step measurements. Not all will, but most do.
When looking at smaller 0-6” dial calipers, make sure it is capable of taking a depth measurement. Again, most will but some of the budget brands do not include the depth rod to keep costs down.
Additionally, if you are looking at a larger set of calipers then pay attention to both the depth measurement rod as well as whether or not the caliper has jaws for measuring internal dimensions. Some calipers are only capable of taking outside measurements.
This is likely all they will be needed for when dealing with larger sizes, but just be aware of what you are getting. Calipers that only take outside measurements and nothing else are most commonly seen in calipers that measure 24” or larger.
Digital calipers can make a great alternative to dial calipers. Both types come with their benefits and drawbacks.
Digital calipers are easier to take measurements, and most will have the ability to instantly switch between units at the press of a button.
Dial calipers don’t require batteries and will always be ready to go even if you haven’t used them in a year.
For more info regarding the differences between these two types of calipers, see our guide to dial vs digital calipers.
Be gentle with your tool.
Dial calipers are precision measuring devices. They should be treated like it. While some may label themselves as “Shock Proof”, none really are.
Trust me, you don’t want to drop any caliper off your workbench onto a concrete floor. Handling your tool with care and storing it away, preferably in a case inside a toolbox when not in use, is the best practice.
Treat it right and your dial caliper will likely last a lifetime.
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Telescoping gages are an extremely useful measuring tool for checking all types of internal features on a part.
They are a perfect complement to a nice set of outside micrometers. It’s important to have a quality set of micrometers and for many, it’s a necessity to have a quality set of telescoping gages.
The best telescoping gages are made by the usual suspects. Both Mitutoyo and Starrett have a long history of making quality telescoping gages. But who wins out? Read on to find out.
Measuring tools by Starrett are typically referenced as the gold standard when it comes to telescoping gages, but it is debatable whether they are good enough to warrant the added cost when compared to the Mitutoyos. Both are great sets.
The Starrett set gets the edge by a small margin. Like so many other precision tools, the importance of the “feel” of the tool can not be overstated.
The locking mechanism works exceptionally smooth and the spring action is everything you would hope for also.
Telescoping gages are very much a “feel” tool and as a result the smoothness of the internal workings is of the utmost importance. Just like their micrometers, the telescoping gages by Starrett work exactly as intended and do it very well while being extremely accurate.
Mitutoyo 155-903 6 Piece Telescoping Gage Set
Please note that I am basically a big Mitutoyo fanboy. They just make excellent measuring equipment. Starrett does too, but through their whole catalog I believe Mitutoyo is generally of higher quality.
That’s one reason to take note that the Starrett telescoping set won our best overall here. They are just that good.
Basically everything that was said about the Starrett set applies to this set from Mitutoyo. The Starrett set is a little bit smoother and feels just a touch more solid.
In saying that though, it is hard to imagine being disappointed in either set and the Mitutoyo set comes at a decent price reduction compared to the Starretts which is why it warrants mentioning even though it got beat out by the Starrett set.
Pick one. Go with whichever one is your precision gauge manufacturer of choice and you won’t be sad you did. Treat it right and you’ll have a tool your grandchildren can use. Both Starrett and Mitutoyo are heirloom quality.
Anytime Tools Telescoping Bore Gauge Set
If you absolutely must go with a budget brand, Anytime Tools has a decent track record. They won’t be the same heirloom quality tools as you find from Starrett and Mitutoyo, but they do work well for most people.
If you need to measure to tolerances tighter than .001”, I recommend getting either the Starrett or Mitutoyo set. If .001” is close enough, then go with a cheaper set.
One thing I always say when going with super budget tools is to check them when you get them. If they don’t work as intended or are inaccurate, then send them packing. Most online retailers have lenient return policies.
As a side note, I only wish some of the top tier toolmakers would catch on and provide a case similar to the cheaper units. For whatever reason, telescoping gages have historically come in a strange plastic sleeve holder. These sleeves simply do not provide the amount of protection most would want for a precision measuring instrument.
A telescoping gage is a tool used in conjunction with a micrometer to measure the size of internal holes, slots, and similar features. They are usually sold in sets which cover a specified measuring range.
Some varieties have two telescoping arms while others have one. They are simply different styles of the same tool and neither style is preferable to the other.
Telescoping gages are used to measure internal features of a part such as a hole diameter or a slot width. They are versatile and capable of covering a large measuring range, especially when compared to other internal feature measurement tools such dial bore gages and inside micrometers.
Telescoping gages come in many different sizes. Typically, they are purchased as sets with a range of 5/16” or ½” up to 6”. Smaller sets are available also and individual gages may be purchased as well.
Some typical individual gage measuring ranges are listed below.
The accuracy of any telescoping gage depends on multiple factors. The accuracy of the micrometer that is used together with the telescoping gage affects the accuracy most of all.
Additionally, the quality of the telescoping gage, as well as the cleanliness and surface finish of the measured part play a role as well. Parts with a rougher surface finish will not be measured as accurately as those with a smoother surface finish.
The skill of the tool user is another factor in the accuracy of a telescoping gages. Some experienced machinists claim to measure to an accuracy of .0002” while many would argue that .001” is the limit when it comes to telescoping gages. Personally I believe that .0005″ is a more easily attained accuracy with some practice.
The best way to improve your accuracy using telescoping gages is to measure the feature multiple times (3-5) to build confidence in the repeatability of your measurement.
A good way to practice this skill is to measure calibrated ring gauges repeatedly and compare your readings to those of the known ring gauge size.
To use a telescoping gage, compress the measuring arms and insert them into the feature to be measured. Gently rock the tool until you feel it “center up” on the feature. Rock it through the hole one time only.
Lock the tool and gently remove the gage from the hole or slot and measure the distance between the measuring faces with a micrometer. Be gentle with your micrometer measurement because excessive force can cause the telescoping gauge to give a smaller reading.
Telescoping gages do not need to be calibrated. They should however be inspected to verify they are in good working order.
This inspection should consist of:
As noted in our accuracy section, checking a known ring gauge can allow to develop some certainty that the tool is working as intended.
Inside micrometers provide more accuracy than telescoping gauges but they do it at the expense of ease of use.
In most instances you will find that a set of telescoping gages will provide readings that are accurate enough and quicker to use or a dial bore gage will be much more accurate and still faster to use, especially in high volume shops.
Inside micrometers have their uses, but many will find them not needed.
Dial bore gauges are more accurate than telescoping gauges. The accuracy of a dial bore gauge will depend upon the accuracy and resolution of its dial indicator.
Telescoping gages will be accurate to about a thousandth (.001”), possibly more in the hands of an experienced user. Dial bore gauges can easily be found that are accurate to a tenth (.0001”) or better.
The measuring range of dial bore gages varies but is generally quite a bit smaller than that of the telescoping gages or an inside micrometer set.
Micrometer stands are simple devices that serve a very important purpose. They give you a hand and no, I do not mean complement your super awesome machining skills.
They work to free up a hand that would otherwise be used to hold a part or measuring tool. Their most frequent application is to hold micrometers for use in high volume manufacturing. In addition to this, they are often used by hobbyists and home machinists in their pastime pursuits.
These simple tools should be easy to get right….right? See our very short list of the best micrometer stands to find out.
Grizzly Industrial makes some very good tools for their price. Their tools are made in Taiwan and China, but the company is based in America.
They have quality control personnel at the manufacturing facilities to inspect the tools before shipping them stateside. This is likely the key to how they have been able to provide good tools at a reasonable price.
This micrometer stand from Grizzly is a solid piece of equipment. It is solid, heavy and clamps well without issue. There have been some reports that occasionally the stand doesn’t operate as smoothly as expected but most report that a little oil fixes it up quick.
Overall, the Grizzly stand easily beats out the straight from China copycat competitors and does it while keeping the cost much lower than the premium tool manufacturers.
Best of the best but at a price.
It should be no surprise that Mitutoyo makes our list of the best micrometer stands. They make excellent micrometers as well as other dimensional measurement equipment. Across the board they make excellent tools and gauges. The only downfall of this is that their quality comes at a price.
When it comes to measurement equipment such as micrometers, calipers and indicators, the quality is worth the price.
When it comes to simple tools, the nicer stuff just isn’t worth the price.
The Mitutoyo micrometer stand is a nicely finished, version of exactly what it should be. It’s a clamp with a solid base to keep things steady.
While simple in design, it does exactly what it sets out to do. And it does it consistently. Tools like this will last multiple lifetimes if not treated right. Yet it still doesn’t justify the price.
If budget is of no concern, then go with the stand from Mitutoyo. For everyone else, think about going with one of our other picks for a slight downgrade in quality and a big difference in price.
A nice budget friendly option.
The Accusize micrometer stand has a solid base which provides good stability and non-slip feet to make sure it stays right where you want it without the need for clamping it to your workbench. However, it can still be clamped if you want 100% assurance that this puppy won’t move.
It should be obvious from the photo, but it isn’t as heavy or big as our other options, so it loses a little in stability. It makes up for it though with its small, almost portable size.
This stand from Accusize folds flat allowing it to be stashed away easily when not in use. A welcome feature for those of us with cluttered workbenches.
The S907-C153 isn’t the end all, be all of micrometer stands but for the price it certainly does a respectable job of keeping your tool in place.
A micrometer stand is a tool used for holding measuring equipment and various objects for precision work. The angle of the stand can be rotated to find the best position for working.
The heavy base of the stand keeps things steady. In addition, the stand can be clamped to a table or workbench to provide more stability.
Micrometer stands are pretty simple. Basically, it is a two-way clamp.
There is a clamp for holding the tool in place, as well as a clamp for rotating the holder and adjusting the angle. Once clamped, the base steadies the object while allowing the user to keep two hands free. They also have the added benefit of insulating the object being held to varying degrees of heat.
A micrometer stand will allow you to free up your hands for precision work such as soldering PCBs or measuring tight tolerances, especially in high volume.
Another benefit is limiting the amount of heat transfer from the user, to either the object they are measuring or to the measuring device itself.
Thermal expansion will cause things to expand. This isn’t a good thing when trying to take measurements down to very tight tolerances.
A good micrometer stand will help insulate your tools from your body heat and give you more accurate readings.
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Not many tools get as much inspection use as a micrometer. As a result, the first inspection tool purchased by many is a good micrometer or a micrometer set.
Because of their expense, they are not tools that you will want to buy more than once. The good thing is that if chosen carefully, they will last a lifetime or more. As the saying goes, “buy once, cry once”.
Now take a look at the best micrometer sets available, many of which have been best in class for many, many years.
When it comes to the standard analog micrometers, nobody makes them like Starrett. The most important aspect of a micrometer is its accuracy and these mics by Starrett are extremely accurate and repeatable.
As long as you exercise due care in your measurements, you can expect them to be accurate to .0001”. While it is true that many other manufacturers have been able to create a tool that is capable of the same accuracy, few come close to the build quality of a Starrett micrometer.
It can be hard to quantify the “feel” of a tool. In this case, these mics just feel right. The weight is nice without being too heavy. More importantly, they have a nice balance to them that never seems to get in the way of your measurement.
The finish of both the frame of the micrometer as well as the sleeve has always been excellent. The knurling on the thimble and ratchet provides the perfect amount of grip.
Speaking of the ratchet, I have always found that Starrett makes the best ratchets. Ratchet preferences can vary from person to person but the thing that is nice about these ratchets is they are extremely consistent. Between mics in a set, the ratchets will all feel the same.
Starrett has been making these same micrometers for quite some time and largely without change. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The one downfall of these micrometers is that the quality does come with a price. For this reason, I have included a second choice in the Mitutoyo set below. It can also be worth considering the best digital micrometer set if you need more accuracy and can live with a smaller measuring range.
Used versions of these tools can be an excellent choice also because all of the choices noted here, from both Starrett and Mitutoyo, have a long history of being quality measuring tools. They have been mostly unchanged through the past couple decades.
As a side note, the case that comes as part of the set is as well made as the micrometers themselves.
This set of micrometers form Mitutoyo checks all the boxes. They are accurate, consistently well-made and reliable. They are only a small step below the set by Starrett. While they might not be the absolute best micrometer set available, they might be the best value because the price is substantially lower than that of the Starrett set.
For comparisons sake, if the micrometer set from Starrett is a Rolls Royce, then the set by Mitutoyo is a Cadillac. This is certainly reflected in the price difference.
The main difference between the sets is in the feel of the mics. The finish of the Mitutoyo set is nice, but not on the same level as that of the Starrett set. Also, I have always found the ratchet mechanism and balance of the mics by Mitutoyo to be very good but not as great as the Starretts.
I feel like this might sound like the Mitutoyo set is not that great but in reality, they are excellent. They just aren’t quite as good as the Starretts. However, they are much better than all the other micrometers out there and they come with a much smaller price tag.
I absolutely love the Mitutoyo Digimatic micrometers. They are easily the most accurate normal micrometers out there. Sure, you can find specialty mics with indicators built in that will be more accurate, but they will be more expensive and less user friendly.
If given the choice, I would use Mitutoyo Digimatic mics for all micrometer measurements. They are quick to read and extremely accurate.
The only knock I could give them is that some might find them a little bulky. Personally, I have never found this to be the case, but they are larger than your average analog mic.
Digital micrometers also make a great choice when working in both inch and metric units. The ease with which they switch measuring units saves time and eliminates any potential conversion miscalculations that might occur by the user.
Another great feature of the Digimatic mics that is not common among other digital micrometers is that the batteries seemingly last forever. No, not literally but even with heavy use it feels like it.
The sole reason they didn’t make the best overall micrometer set is that the set includes less micrometers and is limited to measuring sizes up to 4”. If this isn’t a problem for your applications then think about taking a good, hard look at the Mitutoyo Digimatic mic set. They are an absolute top of the line set.
In recent years, some of the Chinese made micrometer manufacturers have greatly increased their quality. Anytime Tools is a prime example of this. They have been able to create tools for a fraction of the price of a traditional micrometer while largely maintaining the accuracy and quality seen with more well-known manufacturers.
The improvement in Chinese made micrometers is so great that some American tool manufacturers have been outsourcing their tools to other countries.
With regards to accuracy, they claim to be accurate to .0001” as you would expect from a good micrometer. In practice, they aren’t quite there all the time. It would be safe to count on .0002” accuracy. If you are looking for more than that then make sure to verify the accuracy when you receive them.
The Anytime Tools set comes with all the standard micrometer set accessories including reference standards for verifying their accuracy and a wooden case. The case isn’t as nice as what comes with more expensive sets, but it is just a box after all. It holds all of the included mics and closes to keep out the elements. It makes a perfectly acceptable storage solution.
The feel of this set isn’t quite as nice as those from Mitutoyo and Starrett but the reduction in price can not be overlooked. This set could be purchased along with a set of gage blocks to verify their accuracy and the price tag would still be well under the cost of other quality sets.
I would never recommend going cheap when it comes to your precision measuring tools if they are critical to your job. The one exception is, if you are a hobbyist or just entering the machining trade, this micrometer set from Anytime Tools makes a great starter set that just might meet all of your current and possibly future measurement needs.
It all comes down to the sizes you plan to measure. Usually, the required measurements are skewed towards the lower end of the measuring scale. A 0-1” micrometer will be the size used most often. The 1-2” micrometer will be the 2nd most used micrometer and so on.
As the sizes get larger, they will see substantially less usage. Even in a high use environment such as a machine shop, a 5-6” micrometer or 11-12” micrometer will rarely be used.
My recommendation would be to not buy a larger set than you need. A good micrometer set is not cheap and therefore you should ensure the tools will get used. You don’t want a box full of expensive paperweights.
Unless you know that you absolutely need it, I would never recommend purchasing a set larger than 12”. A 0-6” set makes a good starting point for most people and if you think you can get away with something slightly smaller then go for it.
It is better to buy a higher quality 0-3” set than it would be to have a 0-6” set where the 4-6” mics never get used.
Accuracy and repeatability are the most important qualities in a micrometer. It is possible to find a wide variety of accuracies available in micrometer, especially when it comes to older used tools.
You should look to get a micrometer with an accuracy of .0001” or better. I have included a cheaper, slightly less accurate budget set above, but you should only go with that set if price is your primary concern and you know that the reduction in accuracy is acceptable for your measurements.
I have never known anyone to regret purchasing a more accurate tool.
Each type of micrometer has its pros and cons.
Analog mics are always ready to go. You never need to worry about dead batteries and aren’t quite as susceptible to contamination (coolant, etc.) when compared to digital micrometers.
Digital micrometers are easier to read, quicker to take measurements and allow the user to easily switch between measurement units. Additionally, they allow the user to switch their zero location at will. There are many instances were comparison measurements need to be taken. Digital micrometers allow these types of measurement to be taken quickly without the added need for manual calculations.
I do not recommend the mechanical counter micrometers. They add another mechanism that can malfunction simply don’t provide enough of an added benefit to justify their use. Electronic digital micrometers can be found for the same price as the mechanical counter versions.
Go with a standard analog micrometer or a solid digital version and skip the prone mechanical counter varieties.
Cases are all about protection. You don’t need anything too fancy when it comes to cases. The standard wooden case that comes with most micrometer sets is more than capable of storing your tools.
The case gives the tools a place to stay with protection from the elements (there can be a lot in the air when machining) and also a safe storage option. Too often a micrometer left on a workbench gets bumped and ends up hitting the floor.
Keep your tools safe and make sure to put them away when not in use so they remain accurate for years to come.
Carbide tipped micrometers provide increased wear resistance. In general, I have not found them to provide an added benefit to hardened steel.
Please note that carbide can be more brittle as a result of the added toughness which means they are susceptible to chipped measuring faces. If cared for properly, this will likely not be an issue, but it is something to keep in mind.
The main case for carbide tips would be when dealing with particularly abrasive materials.
For most users, both carbide and steel tipped micrometers will be more than adequate.
There are manufacturers and sellers out there who offer calibrated micrometers for an added cost. This is not an item that is worth paying extra for.
The micrometers should be made accurate from the start. Calibration only gets you documented evidence that your tool is verified as accurate using a reference standard that is traceable to NIST. If this is something you require then you likely already have a set of calibrated gage blocks that will allow you to do the calibration on your own.
Shipping companies are not always gentle with your packages so keep in mind that it would be entirely possible to pay extra for calibration and have the calibration voided by shock from shipping.
Skip the calibration upcharge and verify your micrometers on your own.
Choosing a micrometer set is not an easy decision. Even the cheapest options cost a pretty penny. The most important things to consider is the accuracy you need as well the size of the set you require.
If they will be used daily, don’t be afraid to splurge and pick up a heirloom quality set from Starrett or Mitutoyo. They really are worth it and built to last.
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Price point
Customer service
No batteries required
Not "shock proof"
The Anytime Tools dial caliper is built to last, thanks mainly to its surprisingly solid construction. The hardened stainless-steel frame means it is rust-resistant, which is nice when the shop or garage it gets used in doesn’t always stay the cleanest. A sturdy build is great, but there are many other reasons why this precision measuring tool is a great buy.
This dial caliper from Anytime Tools has precision and accuracy in line with what you would expect to get from tools at a much higher price point. It is capable of taking internal, external, depth and step measurements with an accuracy of .001”. This means it competes directly with tools from companies like Starrett, Fowler and Mitutoyo.
If you need something more accurate, then look for a quality micrometer to get your measurement accuracy down to .0001” or better.
As a bonus to the sturdy build noted above, the tool is noted as being “Shock Proof”. While it might be a little more rugged than many other dial calipers, I wouldn’t recommend a drop test or something similar. It is a precision measuring instrument after all. Treat it like it is.
Luckily, the tool comes with a decent case to protect it when not in use. Again, this is a standard feature found on more expensive calipers, but one that is not always seen with tools in the same price range as this caliper from Anytime Tools.
While the dial face is only protected by plastic, this is normal in most dial calipers nowadays. The Anytime Tools dial caliper has a nice, easy to read dial face as well as graduated scale on the body of the caliper.
Being easy to ready means the caliper is simple to use and the fact that it doesn’t require batteries like digital calipers do allows it to always be ready to use. No more problems dealing with dead batteries. This is great when the tool only gets sporadic or occasional use.
Nothing is more frustrating than needing to take a critical measurement and finding out that your batteries are dead. At best it means a trip to the store for a random battery size. At worst it means waiting a couple days for fresh batteries to arrive.
Please note that there are multiple versions of this dial caliper available and this review is based on the single scale 6” version. Many manufacturers make calipers in a wide variety of sizes. While they are all solid choices, there are some model specific notes below.
The dual scale version of the 6” dial caliper takes measurements in both inches and millimeters. A black scale is used for the imperial units and red is used for the metric ones.
Generally, if you need to take measurements in both units then I would recommend a good digital caliper but if you are determined to stick with an analog caliper for any reason, then they make a good choice.
6” dial calipers are a pretty standard fare. Many manufacturers have been able make a solid tool. As the caliper gets larger, it gets much harder to have a device capable of taking accurate measurements.
The 12” version of Anytime Tools caliper maintains the .001”/.02mm accuracy across the whole measuring range while maintaining the budget friendly price point similar to the 6” version.
This 12″ dial caliper also gives measurements in both inches and millimeters.
The Anytime Tools dial caliper is a solid measuring device. It is reasonably priced and has features and accuracy that are comparable to tools that cost twice as much.
The dual unit version is a welcome convenience for those who will be working both inches and mm and the 12″ version does a great job of including premium features while maintaining the budget friendly price just like the 6″ caliper.
In short, all three versions are solid choices for a quality dial caliper.
Quality measuring calipers are available in both analog and digital versions. There was a time where the digital versions were much more expensive than their dial and vernier counterparts. In recent years though, things have changed. The price difference has switched somewhat. Budget friendly digital calipers can be found for less than a budget analog caliper.
Whether you go digital or analog is really just a matter of preference. Some like having a tool that is always ready to use without the need for special batteries. Others like the simplicity of reading a digital display which saves them from having to use a scale and/or dial reading to calculate the measurement. Neither is difficult to use. Go with whatever you are comfortable using.
Calipers come in a wide range of sizes. The standard size is a 0-6” caliper but they can frequently be found in 0-4”, 0-8”, 0-12” and 0-24” varieties. One thing to think about is that as the tool gets larger, they can be more difficult to take measurements with. A 24” caliper can be unwieldy to use when trying to take a one-inch measurement.
If you think you will need a caliper with a larger measuring range such as a 12” or 24” version, then it is best to go with a 0-6” caliper and also a separate larger caliper. This will allow you to easily measure smaller sizes. For most users, measurements under six inches will make up the majority of their work. The larger calipers can then be used for the less frequent, larger measurements.
The accuracy of most calipers is fairly comparable. Unless you purchase an absolute bargain basement unit (something all plastic or similar), the accuracy of your caliper will be .001” or .02mm. If you need something more accurate then you will need to look for a micrometer instead.
I do recommend verifying the accuracy of your caliper by checking the calibration. Using a good set of gage blocks to check the calibration/accuracy is the best way to go.
If you don’t have access to a set of gage blocks then any known reference standard (known ball bearing, gauge pin, plug gage, etc.) can provide some confidence that the tool is accurate. Ideally, you will want to verify the tools accuracy across the whole measuring range. It is not uncommon for a tool to get damaged and give a correct reading for a 1” measurement while being multiple thousandths off at another interval such as 4.5”.
If they are treated well, a used caliper will be as good and accurate as a brand-new tool. In fact, many tools made 50 years or more ago are still in use and working well. The only caveat would be that you will want to verify the accuracy of a used tool before purchasing it.
Many times, a person in the machine shop industry will be getting ready to retire and will look to sell their prized tools. Knowing the history of a tool, and more importantly, knowing it was cared for can provide some certainty that you will be getting a quality tool.
Do not, I repeat do not bother spending the extra money to get a calibration certificate with your caliper. They should be accurate regardless. Furthermore, the calibration cert only guarantees the tool was accurate at the time of calibration.
Have you seen how delivery drivers handle your boxes? Anything can happen in between the time of calibration and when the tool reaches you. Shipping companies don’t exactly have a reputation for being careful with packages during shipment.
Check it when you receive it and skip the added expense of calibration certificates.
Standard dial calipers are pretty resilient to most normal forms of contamination that they will see such as oil and coolant. I still highly recommend keeping them as clean as possible. Keeping them in a case and even in a locked toolbox is always a good idea. Also be more wary of contaminants such as metal chips, dirt and debris. They are more likely to cause issues with your tool. A stray metal chip can cause your caliper to skip a tooth on the gear. This will lead to false measurements.
Data transfer is a nice feature but most often only something that a business will use. With that being said, you won’t find any data transfer capabilities on a set of analog calipers such as the Anytime Tools dial calipers. If data transfer is something that you require then find yourself a good digital caliper. However, keep in mind that sometimes the cable to make the data transfer costs more than the caliper itself.
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Quality objectives are goals that are tied to the quality policy of an organization. They are key performance indicators used to measure items identified as being very important to the business. Generally, they are performance metrics tied to items such as delivery, quality, and/or safety.
The 2015 revision of ISO 9001 requires that an organization has quality objectives. Section 6.2 of the standard describes the requirements.
Per the ISO standard, the quality objectives must coincide with the quality policy. They also must be measured, monitored and communicated. This means you must pick a criterion, set a goal, measure it over a certain timeframe and communicate the results.
For example:
The communication part can be misleading slightly. The most important people to communicate the results to are the members of the management who are responsible. In the example above, this would likely be someone in a quality control management role.
Communicating to all employees is often done through posting the results on a bulletin board somewhere so the employees can see the quality objective performance.
Management is responsible for setting the quality objectives. Depending on the size of the organization, top management may be responsible or lower-level management may be involved. Smaller businesses are more likely to have heavy involvement from top management.
A good quality objective will follow the rules of SMART. Quality objectives should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.
Specific = customer returns
Measurable = # of customer returns
Attainable = 10 customer returns per quarter because we know our average is 11
Relevant = customer returns are relevant because it ties into our quality policy with regards to doing the job right
Time bound = per quarter
In summary, our SMART quality objective in this example is customer returns with a goal of 10 per quarter.
Setting a goal is important. Make sure your goals are not too easy or too hard. You want to reasonably be able to attain them, but they should be forcing you to continuously improve.
Not every quality objective needs to be related to customer satisfaction or continuous improvement but having quality objectives that are will link them to your quality policy, an ISO requirement.
The answer to this question will be specific to each organization. However, a good starting point would be to have approximately five quality objectives. See the examples below to get an idea of where to start.
The quality objective examples below could apply to both manufacturing companies along with service providers.
Quality Objective | Example Goal |
On-time delivery to customer | > 95% on-time delivery |
Customer returns | < 10 returns per quarter |
Supplier on-time delivery | > 95% on-time delivery |
Supplier returns | < 5 returns per quarter |
Safety incidents | 0 safety incidents per quarter |
Your quality objective performance should be reviewed minimally at every management review meeting. Organizations handle management review in different ways. If you are just getting started then think about starting with quarterly management reviews.
Performing reviews quarterly will allow the organization to address any issues that may arise in a timely manner.
If you don’t meet your quality objectives, you should think about starting corrective action activities. If you miss your quality objective by .1% it doesn’t necessarily require that you generate a corrective action. Continually missing the objective or missing the objective by a substantial margin would be more worrisome and cause for creating a corrective action.
Yes, you are free to change your quality objectives as you see fit. You should make sure they are relevant to your organization and its goals (including quality policy). Remember the ISO requirements as listed above when making changes including adding or removing quality objectives.
Every quality objective is a KPI but not every KPI is a quality objective.
Quality objectives are more of an overall picture of the organizational performance such as overall on-time delivery. KPIs can be something much smaller in scope such as customer support response time.
Ultimately, an organization will need to identify the KPIs that are the most important to them and track them as quality objectives. See the examples above to give yourself some ideas of what constitutes a quality objective.
A quality policy is basically a mission statement. The quality objectives are the items that are measured, monitored and communicated within an organization to ensure that the business is meeting its quality policy.
To get ISO certified there are many requirements which must be met. One of these requirements is establishing a quality policy. A quality policy shouldn’t be complicated. It should be simple to understand and easy to communicate throughout your organization.
A quality policy is similar to a mission statement. It describes how a business or organization will strive to provide the best products or services possible. At times it may include other components such as environmental concerns, but the core message still remains. Do it right. Do it on-time.
A quality policy is important because it communicates to the stakeholders such as your employees, suppliers, and customers what your goals are with regards to your business.
The 2015 revision of ISO 9001 explicitly requires a quality policy. Per the ISO 9001 standard, the quality policy must include a commitment to meeting applicable requirements and continuous improvement.
Applicable requirements include items such as state and federal regulations, ITAR, OSHA and any other industry relevant requirement.
There are also requirements to make sure that the quality policy is documented, communicated, and understood within the organization.
Top management is responsible for establishing and maintaining the quality policy. Physical and electronic documents are often created and updated by quality personnel or a management representative, but ultimately the members of management at the top of the org chart are the ones who must set the quality policy.
The quality policy needs to be periodically reviewed to ensure its continued suitability for the organization. This can be done by reviewing the quality policy at every management review meeting.
Once established, it won’t need to be changed often unless there is a large organizational change.
Review of the quality policy can be something as simple as a check box like the one below.
Leave a section below the checkbox where you can talk about changes to the quality policy when they do happen.
Keep it simple and make sure to include a statement about continuously improving. Think about what your customers want.
If there is something else that is vitally important to your organization, then it may be worthwhile to include in your quality policy. Examples of this would be environmental or safety concerns.
If you are just getting started with ISO 9001, I recommend keeping it as basic as possible while still describing what is important to your business. If an auditor were to come in and take issue with your quality policy, it would be an easy fix.
Communicating your quality policy to your customers and suppliers is easy. Include the quality policy on your company’s website.
Communicating your quality policy to your employees can be a little more challenging. Emails, group meetings, and one on one training sessions are all effective ways to communicate your quality policy.
Teaching employees about your quality policy should also be a component of your new hire onboarding process.
Once established, you will need to train existing employees to the newly created quality policy. Additionally, periodic retraining can be used to keep the quality policy fresh in their minds.
Think about implementing an annual training schedule to communicate the quality policy to your employees.
Your quality manual is the overall view of your quality system. The quality policy is one small component of that system. A vitally important part, but still a small part.
The quality policy is your mission. The quality objectives are the measurable items you will monitor to make sure you meet that goal.
The “measurable” part is important.
Some common quality objectives are items such as on-time delivery percentage, number of customer returns, supplier on-time delivery percentage, supplier returns, non-conforming material statistics (scrap) and/or safety incidents.
The example below is as pared back as possible while still including the essential components of a quality policy.
“Company ABC will provide products which meet our customers’ expectations while satisfying applicable requirements and striving to continuously improve our quality performance.”
We will supply products and services that meet or exceed our customers’ requirements on time, every time. By continually improving the effectiveness of our quality management system (QMS), we strive for excellence in everything we do.
It is the policy of Company ABC to provide a service that continually meets or exceeds all customer quality and delivery expectations while abiding by all regulatory requirements.
Company ABC will strive to continually improve its process quality and efficiency.
Outside micrometers are easily one of the most common measuring tools in the machinist’s toolbox. They are so common that they are usually referred to as simply micrometers or mics. For the rest of this post, I will follow the same convention.
A side note, specialty micrometers such as depth micrometers or inside micrometers are more often referred to by their whole name.
Now that you are on a first name basis with your micrometer, let’s think about calibrating it.
So just how important is it to have a properly calibrated micrometer?
Considering a 0-1” micrometer is likely the most used inspection tool in the shop… pretty darn important.
Please note that some of what follows might be overkill for a hobbyist but it is certainly still good practice.
Now, let’s learn more about micrometer calibration.
Micrometers need to be calibrated to ensure their accuracy.
Because they are used for critical measurements, it is important to make sure that any readings taken with the micrometer are correct.
During the calibration process, the micrometer is checked with a standard, such as a gauge block, to verify it is accurate across its entire measuring range.
There are many factors to consider when determining how often to calibrate your micrometer. The visual below lists some of the most common factors.
Micrometers can be calibrated at many different intervals. When setting the calibration frequency, you should take into account factors such as:
Where I work we take all of these factors into account and develop our calibration intervals based on them. We group tools into different intervals.
The most important tools are calibrated every four months or sooner. Less critical tools are calibrated on a yearly schedule. Occasionally, tools which see little use and have an excellent calibration history get calibrated at a more extended interval.
It all depends on what works for your shop. If you are unsure of where to start, calibrate more frequently and then adjust based on usage and calibration history over time.
Think about all of these factors when determining how often you will calibrate your micrometer.
Calibration of your micrometer requires only a known length standard such as a gauge block, an adjustment spanner and your micrometer.
Additional supplies such as gage oil and task wipers will also come in handy but aren’t required.
Gauge blocks should be chosen that are at a minimum four times more accurate than your micrometer.
If your micrometer reads to a tenth (.0001”) like most common micrometers, then you will need gauge blocks that are accurate to 25 millionths of an inch (.000025”).
This 4:1 requirement started with the military specification, or mil spec MIL-STD-45662. This specification defined the calibration requirements for companies.
This requirement is a minimum requirement. Using gauge blocks that are 10 times more accurate than the micrometer is even better.
Note: For larger micrometers, length standards are often used in place of gage blocks.
No, buying a micrometer that is already calibrated is not required.
In fact, I recommend not purchasing a micrometer that comes with a calibration certificate. The certification process costs extra and adds no extra value.
You will want to check the calibration of the tool once you get it anyways. Shipping companies aren’t always gentle and just because it was in calibration at the time of shipping does not ensure it is in calibration when received.
At a minimum, your records should include calibration labels for your tools and a database where you record calibration information.
Free and printable calibration labels are available on our calibration labels page. All types of stickers are included for everything from tool calibration labels to do not use labels.
Calibration labels should include at least the calibration date along with the next calibration due date. It is also a good idea to include the person who calibrated the tool and the tool #.
Note: It is acceptable to place a label on the box of a measuring tool if it isn’t practical to place on the tool such as is the case with a set of gauge blocks.
The calibration database can come in many forms. Card systems, spreadsheets, database files and specialty programs are often used to maintain calibration records.
The following information should be recorded in the calibration database:
While it isn’t always a strict requirement, it is a good idea to think about recording the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity when performing your calibration.
Steps 8 and 9 are not required but are good preventative maintenance for your tool.
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