![]() The overall accuracy of a pair of digital calipers depends on a combination of the user’s skill and the unit’s individual features. ![]() By providing additional grip for the fingers to slide the jaws up and down, a large, textured driving wheel also can help make more refined adjustments. However, certain hardware components also can play a role.ĭigital calipers made of polished stainless steel usually provide smoother movement of the measuring jaws. The electronic components that translate the distance between the inside and outside jaws have the greatest impact on calipers’ level of accuracy. A digital caliper can measure in increments as small as 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) or 0.0005 inches (0.0125 mm), depending on the quality of the tool and the operator’s skill level. One of the primary benefits of digital calipers is their ability to take highly accurate measurements. Plastic digital calipers are rarely used by professionals or serious DIYers.įinally, composite calipers are a hybrid combination of standard plastic and carbon fiber that offer a middle ground between plastic and carbon fiber in durability and affordability. Plastic calipers are often the least expensive and lightest, but they’re the least durable. With a few exceptions, carbon fiber calipers are usually cheaper than stainless steel calipers. However, carbon fiber isn’t as corrosion resistant as stainless steel, and it can deteriorate more rapidly if exposed to water, dirt, or UV rays. Its tightly woven strands of carbon polymer fibers are just as strong as steel with a fraction of the weight. Stainless steel digital calipers also are usually the most expensive.Ĭarbon fiber is lightweight with a moderate level of durability. It’s strong and heavy, and it resists water, dirt, and oil. Stainless steel is the material most frequently used on higher-end digital calipers. ![]() Materialĭigital calipers are made of stainless steel, carbon fiber, or plastic, and each material has its own set of pros and cons. They contain inside/outside jaws to measure inside and outside diameters, a depth gauge, an LCD display that shows the measurements on a digital screen, a main scale, and a thumbwheel that moves the jaws up and down the scale.Įach of these components has characteristics that affect its function, so when looking for the best digital calipers for a specific set of needs, understanding these elements and how they work can help shoppers make the best choice. Photo: Tom Scalisi What to Consider When Choosing the Best Digital Calipersĭigital calipers have several components that go into their overall function and design.
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