Hey everyone, Im going to do a rebuild on a spare block. Whats a good micrometer to measure all the clearences with? I've seen them ranging from $10-$300 !!! Any help is appreciated.

 

you will need more than just "a" micrometer.
anything Mitutoyo or Starrett is a safe buy.

 

Mitutoyo

the one i use

 

What kind of range do I need for a rebuild? Do I need more than one for different ranges?

 

Mitutoyo.
thats all we use. Micrometer, and dial bore gauges. none of that plastigauge stuff.

the mitutoyo Digital 4 caliper kit and Dial bore gauge set is all about $1200 retail.

 

I use Mitutoyo as well for my mic's and dial bore gauges.

I wanna switch over to digital mic's to make zero'ing, reading, and setting them a lot quicker and more accurate for me.

The Sunnen dial bore gauges and other assorted inside and outside measuring tools are P.I.M.P. Tbone has shown us some of his stuff and I'm jealous...very much so. They're really expensive tho.

http://www.use-enco.com

http://www.goodson.com

Those are the two places I typically use for engine building and blueprinting tools and equipment.

PS The mic's and dial bore gauges should be at least precise out to .0001" (ten-thousandths). The dial indicators you buy should be at least precise out to .001". Anything with less precision than mentioned above are gonna be virtually useless for blueprinting. More precision than that on the dial indicators is also accepted and, in fact, are quite welcome. It just depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

go with the Mitutoyo digital. outstanding quality. wouldnt use anything else.

 

Yeah, I agree with the guys above....Mitutoyo is the shiznit. Almost all of my precision measuring tools are Mitutoyo. I do have a couple of Brown & Sharpe stuff though (also good tools IMO).

But I have a problem finding a good dial bore gage set that goes less than 2 inches (so I can measure the rod's big end bore) and up to 4 inches (for cyl. bore, etc.) all in a set.
I see ranges from like 1.40 to 2.50" sets and then skips to 2 to 6" sets. I was thinking about getting the 2-6" set and try to find an anvil that'll allow me to measure 1-2", but have no luck. Notice some of the rod bores are 1.89". So what do you guys do, buy two sets? (Snap gauges are inaccurate and not doing me justice for the rod bores btw.)

 

I have one of each. 1.4 to 2.5 and 2 to 6.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IN VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have one of each. 1.4 to 2.5 and 2 to 6.</TD></TR></TABLE>What would you recommend if you can't afford both sets? No other brands out there has a set anywhere between 1-4" at least?

 

ebay

 

I have a Peacock 1.4" - 2.5" and a Mitutoyo. If you're interested in buying the Peacock one, PM me.

 

We have chepo ones at our school.

One time the teacher needed to do some close spec measuring or something and he busted out this metal block and measured it and he was like. This ones good.

So i guess they can get worn over time, so you should probably buy new, ive never bough a micrometer just used them. And you dont need a digi vernier, just learn how to read them.

-Eric

 

you can adjust a mic as long as you have a "standard" or certified gage block to check against. Most of the time, a good micrometer will come with a standard and adjusting tool.

 

going to have to go with everyone else here and say Mitutoyo, they're the best in the business, Starett (sp) is also very good

 

A standard comes with every Mitutoyo micrometer. Then I have some cheap *** Enco-brand ones that don't come with the standard. But that's ok b/c I also have a set of gage blocks that weren't too expensive.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by exospeedAMcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Mitutoyo.
thats all we use. Micrometer, and dial bore gauges. none of that plastigauge stuff.

the mitutoyo Digital 4 caliper kit and Dial bore gauge set is all about $1200 retail.</TD></TR></TABLE>

why dont u use plastigage?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GOLDBERG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

why dont u use plastigage?</TD></TR></TABLE>

its like if you measured gold for trade. what would you trust more, an accurate precision scale or your bathroom scale?

 

Mitutoyo

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GOLDBERG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

why dont u use plastigage?</TD></TR></TABLE>Because if you've got some good precision tools that you can trust, why would you need to use that stuff. Just measure out your journals, bores, etc. to calculate bearing clearances and you'll be able to already know exactly where your at everytime.

 

Mitutoyo

 

Mitutoyo,Starrett,Brown&Sharp.i bet you find some good used ones at your local pawn shop.

 

back from the dead.

I know, i know...I will probably catch some flak for this but...Craftsman has a set of micrometers that I am interested in.

These are for my rebuilds...not production in a shop.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...Tools

Also these bore gauges....

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...Tools

Opinions? What do you look for in a good set of micrometers? what are the physical charictaristics?

EDIT: now that I look at them, they only measure to the .001. I am thinking I will need them to measure to .0001? Correct?