I want to buy a micrometer to measure engine componants. Specifically; piston, piston pin, bore ect... I still have a two stroke but will purchase a 450F this summer, so something that can do dual duty for measuring shims would be good. I'd like to keep the cost in the $50-$100 range, but will pay a little more for quality.
You'll need 0-100mm range (0-4") but you aren't going to find that range for what you want to spend. What you need is closer to the $350-$400 price range and up. Here's a good set of micrometers that covers this range for a very good price :
I just bought a digital one to replace a mechanical one that my wife dropped on the floor. It set my back $45.00 from Dillon Precision. It works just fine for valve adjusting and reloading ammo. It goes out to four inches. I probably wouldn't use it to launch the Space Shuttle...
The Starrett stuff is outstanding, but it gets even further from the price range that he was looking for.
Most of my stuff is Starrett that I bought from a retired machinist 30 years ago, so most of it is at least 50 years old. Buying used tools from retired pros is a great way to get high quality measuring tools for a good price. Good tools, stay good tools forever if you take care of them.
I also have a few Fowler pieces that I've owned for years and they have proven to be good quality pieces. For my money they are as cheap as I would go with precision tools.
The only thing I would measure with a cheapo Harbor Freight style Chinese do everything micrometer is the distance I could throw it in a lake. But that's just me. ;)
Widow's yard sales are a gold mine. Good machinist's always keep their tools. I recently landed a new set of 0 to 6", with stanards and in their birch box. At least once a week I have to look at them.
The Starrett stuff is outstanding, but it gets even further from the price range that he was looking for.
Most of my stuff is Starrett that I bought from a retired machinist 30 years ago, so most of it is at least 50 years old. Buying used tools from retired pros is a great way to get high quality measuring tools for a good price. Good tools, stay good tools forever if you take care of them.
I also have a few Fowler pieces that I've owned for years and they have proven to be good quality pieces. For my money they are as cheap as I would go with precision tools.
The only thing I would measure with a cheapo Harbor Freight style Chinese do everything micrometer is the distance I could throw it in a lake. But that's just me. ;)