In the spirit of Whitworth - What measuring tools do you use

[dromia]

Just an update, four months of using the micrometer three or four times a week on average and the battery has died. It started dimming over the holidays and gave up the ghost today.

Without an on/off switch the micrometer has probably wasted more battery life waiting the required time to turn itself off that it did in actual measuring.

Why for £120 couldn't they include and on off switch, I know in measuring kit terms its not top end and batteries don't cost the earth but 4 months with not real hard use seems a bit off to me.

I'm taking the battery out every time I'm finished using it now, and putting it in again when I'm using it.

Wouldn't recommend this model to anyone and I'm not sure I'd want to go £200 odd just to get an on off switch.

So if you are looking for digital micrometer don't get a Mitutoyo.

[ovenpaa]

I use a Mitutoyo Vernier on a daily basis, it can be turned off but only if I remember and is often left on over night. Today after many many months of use I noticed a 'B' on the screen, it took me a while to realise the battery is going.

[Alpha1]

I have one but mine has a on off button can not remember the last time I put batteries in it.

[Meaty]

Adam,
You could cut a small plastic 'feeler gauge' from a marg tub and slip it between the battery and the contact after each use to turn it off-I think the batteries used in such things are a bit prone to accelerated discharge if handled frequently.

[dromia]

Like all things post modern they have obviously improved it and made something sh!te.

Mitutoyo.

Bugger this digital crap it was going against my instincts anyway, I'll get a reliable mechanical one instead and it won't be Mitutoyo. So much for paying money for the "best".

Thanks Meaty but its going the journey, don't see why I should have to fiddle with something at that price.

[ovenpaa]

A new micrometer arrived today 25-50 no batteries so a proper one with just a moving part so it should be working long after I am..

[dromia]

What make?

[ovenpaa]

I will send you a link.

[kennyc]

Like all things post modern they have obviously improved it and made something sh!te.

Mitutoyo.

Bugger this digital crap it was going against my instincts anyway, I'll get a reliable mechanical one instead and it won't be Mitutoyo. So much for paying money for the "best".

Thanks Meaty but its going the journey, don't see why I should have to fiddle with something at that price.

wasn't there an old saying about workmen and tools tongueout

[Scotsgun]

The idiot that I replaced (my predecesor) spent a fortune swapping out the old verniers and micrometers for digital ones. He claimed it was too much hassle teaching the students to read them. He then went and sold them for pennies. One of the technicians bought 2 verniers and a micrometer for a fiver!
The new ones are supposed to time out and turn themselves off after a while but never seem to do, which results in students wandering around the shop trying to scrounge batteries.
Its cost me almost a grand just to replace 2 class sets of verniers which i doubt are as well made and accurate as the ones he scrapped. t*@t.