Hi all,

I am looking for a micrometer set to buy, but I am having difficulties finding people who sell them, and I don't know which brands are good.

I have heard that Mitutoyo are good, but I had a look at their website and couldn't find any Australian stockists.

I know Sidcrome and Kincrome have a decent rep, but I don't think Kincrome makes any larger than 2". I found these Sidcrome ones:

https://www.toolsunlimited.com.au/shop/ ... cts_id=137

but they seem too cheap, which makes me suspicious

I have already looked on the Transquip website and found this:

http://www.transquip.com.au/product.asp ... PARENT=228

but they seem cheap as well, and I don't know if this brand is decent.

I am going to be using it on an 1100 engine, and will probably do many more engines in the future, so what range should I be looking for? I was thinking 0-3" or 0-4". If I recall correctly, the main bearing journals on an 1100 crank are 2" so that should be adequate at least for this project. What accuracy should I be looking for - 0.5 thou? Are there any other features I should be looking for?

Cheers,

Richard

Yes Mitutoyo also Moore and Wright are good and they last forever if you look after them, but they get expensive. Check out Blackwoods, Glenfords or any half decent tool places, avoid Super Cheap as that is what you will get. Haven't used other brands so no comment on them. Many kits available so work out what the largest size is you want and go from there, mostly I use the 1-6" but remember these are interchangable tips not 6 separate mic's (unless you spend a ton). They come in .001" (1 thou) increments and that is plenty for any home type jobs. Depending on how much you want to spend and how much you use it but another option is to get a digital, dial or standard vernier, also many sizes. Just make sure the arms are long enough to get around what you are measuring as they dont have the arc of the mic's. Others might disagree but used properly they shoould be good enough for a home engine rebuild and accurate to 1 - 2 thou.

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Michael N

I'm a fitter & machinist by trade and even at home I use these things a lot.
I have a Mitutoyo 0-1" and it's brilliant. I've used it since 1963 and it's still accurate.
Yes Moore and Wright is good, Starrett too. But too exxy.

Rather than buy a set, I would buy a 0-1" Mitutoyo, a 1-2" noname and a 2-3". Even the Chinese and Indian ones are reasonable quality now. You won't use them heaps anyway.
The problem with sets is it's real easy to get dirt etc in there when you swap the anvils. Also whichever size you want at the time, the damned thing is always set for something else.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I concur with Doc - buy 2 or 3 individual high quality units.
I have this 1" Mitutoyo that has a pre-electronic digital readout which is terrific for things like Fiat valve shims. I use an electronic vernier caliper to convert inches to mm whenever it's required.

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Curly
'64 Cooper 'S' (Group Nb spec)
'67 Mini Marcos GT www.mm7056.wordpress.com

you could try a second hand machinery place or try a machine tool company. if you are looking at eng. rebuilds i use set 0-4" outside and also inside [ for measuring bores,main brg caps etc.] as far as sets [inter changeable anvils] i always set 'o' with test piece, supplied with sets. before use.
i have moore and wright sets that i bought in 1968 during my apprenticeship and they are still accurate today.
like all pommy stuff, look after it and it will last for as long as you need it.

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

Whilst you're at it I'd get a good set of M&W telescopic gauges too. Use with your outside mics for measuring rod and main bearing cap bores etc. Less hassle than an inside micrometer and they can measure much smaller stuff as well.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Too late I already got a Kincrome set. They should be decent quality and their accuracy will depend on the micrometers I get anyway.

I don't want to buy second hand because then I will have to get it calibrated to be sure of the accuracy. I considered this after seeing how cheap they are on ebay, but you never know how many times they have been dropped

I am a bit nervous about buying tools from China or India because I like to have tools of decent quality that I know I can rely on. I guess the cost of really good ones might not be justified in this case though, considering the use I will get out of them.

I would prefer a standard micrometer, not digital or dial, because that is the type I have used before and I don't think I really need a digital or dial micrometer.

Does anyone know anything about the Jutco brand or the Sidcrome micrometers I mentioned, or have any opinions on their quality? I am now tossing up between buying one of these sets and and a quality 0-1" micrometer like the Doc suggested, or just buying a couple of high quality ones.

Just as a matter of interest - what is the difference between Micrometers and Vernier calipers? (besides the obvious physical appearance )

I've had a good quality venier caliper for as long as I can remember and a year or so ago bought a digital one due to failing eyesight (age is a bugger) It appears to give consistant repeatable readings (don't know how accurate ) How can the results be different with a micrometer?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

What I was told by the fitters at TAFE (a few years ago) was that, in a perfect world, there isn't much between a micrometer and vernier calipers. A vernier will usually read to 0.02mm, a micrometer will go to 0.01. At least the ones I used at TAFE were that way. As mentioned, the vernier's probably good enough for home - I don't think the majority of us have machines at home that work to that accuracy anyway. Doc excluded.
However, in the real world (or a machine shop), a micrometer is usually more highly regarded due to the extra strength inherent in its design. A Vernier caliper can be bent/warped/curved (worst case scenario). Or, especially in the wrong hands, it can be squeezed too tight on the workpiece (rather than just touching), and the arms can bend. When you're working at 0.02mm, it doesn't take much movement to throw you out. Many (most?) machinists/fitters won't use other people's verniers, they'll only use their own. As you probably know, repeatable measurements all come down to feel and touch as much as whether the instrument is accurate. A micrometer is harder to abuse in that way. You can still overtighten it, and you still want a light touch to give good measurements, but it will take more effort to damage it enough to make it give bad readings. There's a lot more strength in a meaty clamp with a thread than a sliding rule.

if you want to buy new and reasonable quality, i was at general tools buying milling cutters this morning and they have new mic sets at good price
1 hafco brand 0-4" or 0-100m.m set of 4 out-side for $109
2 " " cylinder bore guage set 50-160 m.m $129
3 starrett [U.S.A] inside mics set 50-200m.m $182
4 " telescopic guages 12.7 -150m.m $165
5 " small holeguage set 3.2-12.7m.m $106

their web site is www.generaltools.com.au
email [email protected]
they may be able to help or put you onto a local company

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

Thanks These guys look pretty good. I think I will just go for good quality ones, because the prices seem to be a bit cheaper than I expected anyway (I expected to be spending around $300-$400). Blackwoods have a reasonable range as well, so I will just see who is the cheapest out of those 2

I probably won't be able to get a local company either because I am in Karratha at the moment (hmmm, I really should change my sig )

I am a toolmaker and can tell you fitters don't know the difference between a vernier and a G-clamp (ducks for cover) Nb, Fitters and toolmakers are roughly the same trade, but fight like civil and mechanical engineers do.

Anyway, True, in a perfect would there isn't much difference. the world aint perfect though and a vernier is only accurate to about 0.05mm (2thou approx) even when the numbers are reading to 0.01. Some would argue feel gets you by but truely even micrometers aren't perfect when they are new, verniers are affected by heat and pressure much more so.

Even still, I use a digital vernier all the time for comparative measurements, like diameters of silver steel or 0.1mm fractioned drills etc. Its easy to read and does the job. Mitutoyo and I've had it for about 12-14years

I use my micrometer/s for anything I need to measure accurately be it shims or journal sizes. They are also Mitutoyo and about 10years old.

If you buy one second hand, look at the faces and check the scratches, some are hardly used, hence the sale. If you think it's bent, look up at the light, same as you would check your vernier from time to time.

Daniel

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