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Are Calipers Really Worth the Cost?

It's a common belief that higher price equates to superior quality. However, this isn't always the case, even if it holds true at lower price points. Sometimes, premium brands barely outshine their cheaper counterparts.

Quality of Purchases: Is the Cost Justified?
Quality of Purchases: Is the Cost Justified?

Are Calipers Really Worth the Cost?

In a recent review, Project Farm put a variety of calipers to the test, focusing on their accuracy and consistency. Calipers, a crucial tool in machining, 3D printing, and PCB layout, were assessed using a calibration block to measure their performance [1].

The review revealed that while the most expensive caliper was the most accurate, some cheaper models gave nearly as good results. This finding challenges the common belief that premium calipers are always significantly superior.

Standing out as particularly cost-effective and accurate is a caliper priced at just $27. This budget-friendly option performed nearly as well as the Mitutoyo caliper, which cost considerably more and ranked third in the review [1].

Other calipers in the $18 to $40 range also showed minimal deviation, approximately 0.000675 inches (0.017145 mm), from the top accuracy group [1].

The real focus of the review was on the accuracy and repeatability of the calipers. The video under discussion covered aspects such as weight, smoothness, and the force required to push down the calipers. In the inch range, none of the calipers were particularly bad, but one set had a problem with inconsistent readings [1].

Interestingly, the author expressed a curiosity about the internal workings of calipers, stating "We did too". However, no further details were provided [1].

The best caliper according to the review cost $144 and was the second most expensive set. Despite its high price, it was only slightly more accurate than the $27 caliper [1].

In conclusion, the Project Farm caliper review demonstrates that affordable calipers can offer impressive accuracy and consistency. For many applications like 3D printing, even inexpensive calipers may be more than sufficient [1].

[1] Project Farm, Caliper Review (YouTube video, 2021)

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