EdwardN

iTrader: (1)

To mesure tires I found this thing is very handy-got one and it is awsome.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKTM5&P=7

HarKonnenD

iTrader: (23)

So the tires go in the right side part? That how it works? Looks pretty nifty.

Artificial-I

iTrader: (17)

Analog is hard to read and be exact with. Its more of a general reading. With a digital you can get it down pretty close and perfect. Same goes with ride height and if you get the 8inch one. You can measure 200mm on the car.

performula

iTrader: (4)

Is a caliber with an analog dial OK? For some reason this sits better with me compared to a cheap $25 dollar digital.

Big KAT

iTrader: (1)

The Harbor Frieght ones work great. The one I use I bought off EBAY, It has an Extra large readout for my old eyes

performula

iTrader: (4)

How accurate can those be?!? Wouldn't a $60 dial have a more accurate reading than a $10.99 digital special?

HarKonnenD

iTrader: (23)

I'd still prefer the vernier caliper, but still looking for one. Can't afford to dish out $60 for one of them things. I may just get the digital ones on sale.

Big KAT

iTrader: (1)

Even a cheap digital one is good to 5 ten thousands of a inch. If your machining a part the heat alone can change a parts dimesions over a couple of thous'. These cheap digital one's are every bit as accurate as my $150 dollar Starrett dial calipers. If you prefer dial calipers, nothin' wrong with that many people do.

performula

iTrader: (4)

Vernier = dial?

Scottrik

iTrader: (261)

Vernier are the "old style" calipers with one side of the scale fixed to the frame/upper jaw and the other side of the scale moving with the lower jaw. You then had to read the vernier(s) in order and "interpolate" the last decimal point (typically 1/10,000). Dial calipers have an analog dial that reads the thousandths after the inches and tenths are read from the vernier scale. You can then (if needed...) approximate the ten-thousandths to + or - 5/10000 pretty easily.

My Harbor Freight digital caliper (few years old now) gives direct readout to, essentially, 1/2 of one thousandth (the ten thousandths frame only reads the 5's and 0's) as does the nice new $8 "composite" digital caliper I bought there this week. (**NOTE** I'd hold off on these composite units until someone can double check that they actually READ OUT to .001". Meantime, the stainless pair are a whoppin' $16 which is a SCREAMIN' deal.)

The fact that you don't know what the differences in calipers are tells me that any of these are 1000% accurate enough for your use. If you had need for more accuracy than that you're doing pretty fine machine work and would know the tools. The only thing approaching that level of accuracy in RC would be machining engine parts and the guys doing that are probably using micrometers, dial indicators. and very accurate measurement fixtures.

Quit psyching yourself out and buy the Harbor Freight unit.

Scottrik

Artificial-I

iTrader: (17)

Got any pics of this composite unit?

Scottrik

iTrader: (261)

No I don't, though if you're desperate for one I'd imagine you could find a pic on the HF web site.

Not sure what a pic would tell you about the suitability of this (or, really, any other) tool. Imagine a digital caliper (any digital caliper) but instead of brushed stainless imagine yellow, red and blue "composite" (plastic). Again, the tool is FAR more accurate than anything you need for RC. If looks or image are what you're after they aren't the deal (go spend $75-200 for a Mituyo or the like), if you want an appropriate tool for a stupid-low price get two of these and give one to your best buddy.

Scottrik

scottwk1

I have this one from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47257

They work great.

The composite ones are at:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93293

Scottrik

iTrader: (261)

Hold up on the "composite" units. I left it with a buddy so I can't confirm this for sure. HF's site says "accurate to .001" " but shows "resolution to .01" "...not sure how accuracy to .001" is relevant if it only displays to .01" but I'd hold off until someone can confirm.

That said, $16 for the stainless calper is a SCREAMIN' deal (I loaded up for me and my pals when they hit $20 a couple years ago) and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Scottrik

baih

my earlier post is the same as scottwk1. i have had mine for about 1 1/2 years now. they are fine for RC. i have measured alot of parts. i usually measured they two or three times to make sure the readings were accurate. i never found a reading to be off more than .001 . i wouldnt work on the space shuttle with these but for RC they are excellent. and being able to have inches and metric measurements in the same caliper is great.