I have a dial caliper I bought from Midway on sale years ago. It has given good service, but this A.M., as I was measuring cartridge overall lengths, I discovered it will not hold zero.
It varies ~ .001+- on either side of zero, and about every 5-7 tries , it hits O exactly. Is that normal for an inexpensive caliper?
I realize that is +- a max. .0015, and I am thinking that may be plenty good for any reloading purpose, and others, too, so I am not going to run right out and get another.
What do you guys think?
Is it possible it has been doing that since new, and I just never noticed? Am I being pound foolish not to replace them with a new, hopefuly more accurate tool? I can't pay a lot for them, but are inexpensive digital calipers such as Midway sells a waste of money?
Dimitri: You are a machine tool guy. What is a reasonable price for a serviceable, average quality dial or digital caliper? What is a good brand?
I do have a back up caliper...an OLD, OLD plastic one that measures to .01 in., and it did well, till the new kid on the block replaced it. I just may go back to using it.
Thanks.