Baller 6balls Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 Now that I've read fin whispering, I need to get serious. What's the best digital caliper? THX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted February 16, 2017 Administrators Share Posted February 16, 2017 @6balls I own a number of pairs including the high dollar mitutoyo. I'm absolutely ready to go back to Mechanical dial because all of my digital give me errors periodically. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skoot1123 Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 @6balls - I use a Brown and Sharpe dial caliper. Very good caliper and easy to use. Oh yeah - no batteries to replace either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted February 16, 2017 Baller_ Share Posted February 16, 2017 @6balls : a question with many answers, but what is your criteria for best? Accuracy, reliability, ease of use, value? Lots of options on the market. Google 'top 10 dial calipers' and you can read a review posted on ezvid.com and note @Skoot1123 suggestion is #1, and same for digital caliper review by consumer essentials which ranks the iGaging #1 which is American made. Also, you will find a #2 pencil to be a great tool when you start moving your fin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TFIN Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 I prefer mechanical Mitutoyo mechanical. Reliable, consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Bruce_Butterfield Posted February 16, 2017 Baller_ Share Posted February 16, 2017 Dw beat me, but the igaging 8" is the best value for a digital caliper. The quality of mitutoyo at 1/3 the price. Around $50 on Amazon If it was easy, they would call it Wakeboarding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted February 16, 2017 Supporting Member Share Posted February 16, 2017 I'm a big fan of mechanical calipers for fin tuning. Digital really doesn't add anything except the chance to fail if it gets too wet. I do have an El Cheapo digital caliper for other projects, just because it's so quick to use. I think it's one of the Harbor Freight sub-brands like Pittsburgh or something? It's neither big enough nor accurate enough for fin tuning, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller igkya Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 2nd/3rd the igaging caliper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller escmanaze Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 So it looks like the topic of this thread might be getting modified a bit to just the best caliper? Is there an overall preference on this forum actually FOR analog and AGAINST digital? Just like the OP, I also have bought fin whisperer but have not yet bought the calipers and would love some help and recommendations on choosing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skoot1123 Posted February 16, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 16, 2017 To get a feel for the quality of the caliper you just bought (or want to get) you will need to slide the jaws apart a number (ie: 30) of times and get a feel of how smoothly the jaws slide apart. The smoother they are the better the quality of the instrument. The smoothness is an indication of how well the gears mesh/match. A quick method to learn how to take measurements is to practice taking measurements on a piece of paper (which is about 2-3 thousands thick: 0.002 - 0.003"). When you can smoothly slide the paper from between the caliper jaws each time you take a measurement, then you are beginning to get the proper "feel" of the caliper. Everyone will have a little different "feel" for their caliper - @SkiJay mentions this in his book - which is why you may obtain different fin data points from your friends. Practice makes. . . . . better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted February 17, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted February 17, 2017 OK, friendly amendment...best caliper. I guess I don't care if digital. I've adjusted by thumbnail my whole life with limited understanding and (sorry) thought all the adjusting was kinda funny. Figured there's a lot more wrong with me than the ski. Now thinking tune the ski to me...whatever me may be. Gosh what a knucklehead I've been. Will look at the igaging digital and mitutoyo mechanical. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted February 17, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 17, 2017 Starrett 3202-8 Dial Caliper, Hardened Stainless Steel, 0-8" Range, .001" Graduations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted February 17, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 17, 2017 I have many calipers, the Mitutoyio 8" Coolant Proof to my opinion is the best, it can only fail when battery's life is ending or when using the wrong batteries. I have an Analog one but as I'm getting older I'm having a bad time seeing the readings. If you are riding Goodes you need a Slot Caliper in order to put factory, share or compare, numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WBLskier Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 Has anyone used the radar branded caliper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 Bump... Any experience with the Radar kit that @perfski has? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted February 18, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 Ordered the igaging 8''. I think Jim said he has a micro-just I can steal. Anyone have a ventral? Just kidding. Will be happy with my caliper and wing angle guages for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gmut Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 @6balls many years ago I purchased a ski thru Steve Schnitzer and he sent me a 8 inch digital caliper as part of a promo he had going. This caliper has always worked very well for me. I think it is a Neiko but not sure since there are no markings either on the case or the caliper, only "made in China". I would suggest that you buy a 9 or 10 inch caliper. You can then measure the "total distance from the tail"(distance from the leading edge of the fin to the rear of the ski). I use this measurement to more accurately move the fin fore and aft without changing anything else. The 8 inch caliper is not long enough for this measurement most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted February 18, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 @gmut good idea on 10'' caliper. It's clear from fin whispering that the LE measurement (front of fin from rear of ski--leading edge) is the main driver of tip sensitivity. Having said that, one can measure DFT and FL, then add them to get LE. Granted each math step presents some chance of error... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DaveD Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 If you get a digital caliper, make sure it has auto shut-off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted February 18, 2017 Administrators Share Posted February 18, 2017 @ALPJr Looks like a good deal. Never seen it. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 Yeah nice package. Hmmm... Vapor, dbl Carbotex and fin pack B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 X2 on the Mitutoyio 8" Coolant Proof . I bought my son a bunch of Mitutoyio measuring tools when he was working as a tool setup tech at a machine shop. Stuff seems very solid and liquid proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mrs_MS Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 @6balls You'll probably end up on a N1 so you might as well just buy a slot calliper :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BG1 Posted February 18, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 18, 2017 Calipers are normally sold in 4", 6", 8", and 12" or larger. I've never seen a 9" or 10" dial caliper before so the next step up from the 8" is the 12" and they are larger in every way which would take up more space in your toolbox. The 12" might also be a little harder to measure with unless you have good skills with the dial caliper because it is heaver. My 8" has always worked for measuring tail of ski to tip of fin. A 7.000" long fin plus .800" from tail is 7.800", less then 8". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted February 19, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted February 19, 2017 @Mrs_MS ya really??? I'll be happy to help screw with @MS head now that I have enough knowledge to be dangerous. Hey Mark...a little less depth it seems that your edge change comes on too abruptly! :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller gmut Posted February 19, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 19, 2017 Starrett sells a 9 inch dial caliper and a 9 inch digital caliper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted February 19, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 19, 2017 A 12" caliper is not only longer but is also larger in volume, when compared with an 8", depth measures the same and DFT might be within a 0.0001" but length deference might be significant. When you measure length with tips you press the caliper with your thumb against the ski and a 12" sits higher giving slightly different numbers. If you measure with jaws the difference increases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted February 20, 2017 Administrators Share Posted February 20, 2017 https://www.instagram.com/p/BQt2v2aAU9B/ Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Razorskier1 Posted February 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 20, 2017 Uh oh, my brother @6balls has started studying the dark arts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted February 20, 2017 Baller Share Posted February 20, 2017 Hairy Putzer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted February 20, 2017 Author Baller Share Posted February 20, 2017 @Razorskier1 yes soon to be a dark lord. Maybe finally tuning a ski instead of only horsing it around will provide a buoy or two. Alternatively, I could just let you keep setting up skis and stealing them...that's been a decent strategy as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller SkiJay Posted March 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2017 Pretty tough to beat for a waterproof digital caliper: https://goo.gl/xIlFpE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted March 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2017 @SkiJay Only 6 '' ? My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2017 It's not the length, but how you use it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller SkiJay Posted March 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 11, 2017 Oops! Nice catch @Andre! I've edited it to show the 8" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Zman Posted March 12, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 12, 2017 @SkiJay Can you measure with the jaws of the iGaging, or are they undercut like most calipers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller SkiJay Posted March 12, 2017 Baller Share Posted March 12, 2017 Their jaws are notched at the bases, so it's not a good idea to measure with their jaws when sharing numbers or using other's numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller savaiusini Posted April 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted April 11, 2017 I use the Mitutoyo 500-785 Solar power and IP67 reliability... Sam Avaiusini - HO Sports Company - Director of Inside Sales and Business Operations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PatM Posted April 11, 2017 Baller Share Posted April 11, 2017 I have the original slot caliper. Does anyone know how good or rather accurate it is? I never seem to get the right DFT measurement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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