do you all think it would be foolish to try and go all digital?
Speedy going all digital could be foolish. When I worked in the military machine shop we used digital calipers but the mobility box had dial calipers. There are no wal-marts or the like in the middle of a desert or war zone to buy spare batteries. Also E.M.P.s can take out electronics. .
There are many considerations when purchasing tools. The Buy top quality American vs cheap import has and will be argued for a long time. The quality of the tool vs the skill of the operator is another good one.
First off I am not trying to go all digital. Second off there are no perfect tools measuring or otherwise . I think most of us here do have a favorite in the shop that gets the most use.
In a perfect world we could look at a part and know the size or maybe grab with calibrated fingers. OK, WE ARE NOT THERE.
The perfect micrometer would weigh very little. Be able to take any measurement, inside,outside, measure threads, thin film, splines, tubing etc.. It should cost $1. Last for at least a hundred years.It should be easy to read even for a blind man. And be accurate to 1 millionth of an inch even when used by a gorilla. And it should fit nicely in a pocket so it is always handy. It should bounce off a concrete floor with no damage and no effect in accuracy. It should be coolant proof. It should be corrosion proof. And of course made in USA by American workers. Again non existent.
So what should one look for in a micrometer ?
Here is where the individual needs to decide what is important and what drives his or her own purchase decision.
I bought the mic in this thread because it is easy to read accurate and cheap enough to fit in my tool budget. I have a set of Starrett mics that will last 100 years if taken care of. There are trade offs to some degree with any micrometer. You need to decide what is best for you shop.
Tin Falcon