Sorry the pictures are quite small but these have been taken and resized for my tool log and I didn't have time to photograph them again.
Here is the first mic I purchased - a Starrett 734XFL-1 digital mic (the same as PixMan posted earlier - Carbide faces, friction thimble, .00005'/ .001mm readings. Electronic digital display with analog vernier scales). It was listed as new and I got it for $100 including shipping after I contacted the seller after the auction finished and there were no bidders (too bad eBay doesn't allow this any more). It did look to be unused and included a new battery as well as a spare. I have found that you have to hold it differently to a regular mic, with the angled part resting in your palm low in your palm and your little finger on the taper where the locking ring is. Perhaps, I find it less awkward to hold, as I hadn't really used a mic until I purchased this one. This came in the standard red case with foam insert.
I decided on this mic, because I liked the feel of friction thimble (I had used PixMan's during a visit to his Dad's shop) and it gave both inch and metric measurements. Also, as I had no experience using a mic, I wanted some insurance! Fortunately, I haven't had any issues with mine that PixMan has reported but mine hasn't had as much use. I try to use the 436MRL-25 mic I acquired shortly after this one first and then double check with this one, although I am getting more confident with my readings. If I need an inch measurement I will reach for this first.
734_1.JPG (Size: 24.59 KB / Downloads: 132)
As mentioned above, my next purchase was a set of 4 Starrett 436MRL series micrometers (0-100 mm). These are 0.01mm, have a ratchet thimble, locking ring and plain faces. I saw these on eBay and got all four for $121.99 plus $16.00 shipping (approximately $34.50 each, delivered). They were in the original plastic bag and red cardboard box and each came with conversion cards, the little wrench and certificate of inspection. Great condition and very few signs of use.
0-25mm
436MRL-25.JPG (Size: 26.39 KB / Downloads: 131)
25-50mm
436MRL-50.JPG (Size: 24.82 KB / Downloads: 131)
50-75mm
436MRL-75.JPG (Size: 25.56 KB / Downloads: 131)
75-100mm
436MRL-100.JPG (Size: 25.57 KB / Downloads: 131)
That is it for my outside mics, although I will be adding a new in box Starrett 436-1-MXRL-125 (100-125mm) that PixMan found for me on eBay. $80 delivered to PixMan, which will be a little more once I get it due to postage from the US to AUS but I will have some other items in the box, so it won't be too bad. Besides, I couldn't wait until my next visit to the US to get it
A 436 series 125-150mm is also on my watch list to give me a set covering 0 - 150mm.
Next is a Starrett 440MZ-150RL depth mic that I purchased and picked up from TomG when I was in the US in September. 0.01mm, ratchet thimble, 0-150mm range. I paid $56.05 for this plus $8.05 postage and it was in very good condition. Some staining from old oil, which cleaned off and the action feels very smooth. It came in a red case but I don't think it is the original case. Now all I have to do is follow the instructions posted previously to ensure it is calibrated.
I also have a Starrett 124AZ inside micrometer which came in its original black case with velvet trim. I had been watching a number of these, by different manufacturers, wondering if I really needed one and whether they were worth the money etc etc. Whilst I had hoped to find a metric one, I finally settled on this one and picked it up from eBay for $38.00 plus $17.88 to post it from the US to Aus. It is in very good condition with the only flaw being a previous owners initials engraved on the mic body. Given the case it came in, this is from the 60s or early 70s.
Now before you ask, no I don't own shares in Starrett (although I do have one of their caps!). I generally search for Starrett or Mitutoyo when looking for metrology tooling and then decide on which one seems to be the best choice. I have seen other brands mentioned here, such as Lufkin and Brown and Sharpe but the ones I have seen are either too much or too abused (also common with Starrett and Mitutoyo).
Here is the first mic I purchased - a Starrett 734XFL-1 digital mic (the same as PixMan posted earlier - Carbide faces, friction thimble, .00005'/ .001mm readings. Electronic digital display with analog vernier scales). It was listed as new and I got it for $100 including shipping after I contacted the seller after the auction finished and there were no bidders (too bad eBay doesn't allow this any more). It did look to be unused and included a new battery as well as a spare. I have found that you have to hold it differently to a regular mic, with the angled part resting in your palm low in your palm and your little finger on the taper where the locking ring is. Perhaps, I find it less awkward to hold, as I hadn't really used a mic until I purchased this one. This came in the standard red case with foam insert.
I decided on this mic, because I liked the feel of friction thimble (I had used PixMan's during a visit to his Dad's shop) and it gave both inch and metric measurements. Also, as I had no experience using a mic, I wanted some insurance! Fortunately, I haven't had any issues with mine that PixMan has reported but mine hasn't had as much use. I try to use the 436MRL-25 mic I acquired shortly after this one first and then double check with this one, although I am getting more confident with my readings. If I need an inch measurement I will reach for this first.
734_1.JPG (Size: 24.59 KB / Downloads: 132)
As mentioned above, my next purchase was a set of 4 Starrett 436MRL series micrometers (0-100 mm). These are 0.01mm, have a ratchet thimble, locking ring and plain faces. I saw these on eBay and got all four for $121.99 plus $16.00 shipping (approximately $34.50 each, delivered). They were in the original plastic bag and red cardboard box and each came with conversion cards, the little wrench and certificate of inspection. Great condition and very few signs of use.
0-25mm
436MRL-25.JPG (Size: 26.39 KB / Downloads: 131)
25-50mm
436MRL-50.JPG (Size: 24.82 KB / Downloads: 131)
50-75mm
436MRL-75.JPG (Size: 25.56 KB / Downloads: 131)
75-100mm
436MRL-100.JPG (Size: 25.57 KB / Downloads: 131)
That is it for my outside mics, although I will be adding a new in box Starrett 436-1-MXRL-125 (100-125mm) that PixMan found for me on eBay. $80 delivered to PixMan, which will be a little more once I get it due to postage from the US to AUS but I will have some other items in the box, so it won't be too bad. Besides, I couldn't wait until my next visit to the US to get it
A 436 series 125-150mm is also on my watch list to give me a set covering 0 - 150mm.Next is a Starrett 440MZ-150RL depth mic that I purchased and picked up from TomG when I was in the US in September. 0.01mm, ratchet thimble, 0-150mm range. I paid $56.05 for this plus $8.05 postage and it was in very good condition. Some staining from old oil, which cleaned off and the action feels very smooth. It came in a red case but I don't think it is the original case. Now all I have to do is follow the instructions posted previously to ensure it is calibrated.
I also have a Starrett 124AZ inside micrometer which came in its original black case with velvet trim. I had been watching a number of these, by different manufacturers, wondering if I really needed one and whether they were worth the money etc etc. Whilst I had hoped to find a metric one, I finally settled on this one and picked it up from eBay for $38.00 plus $17.88 to post it from the US to Aus. It is in very good condition with the only flaw being a previous owners initials engraved on the mic body. Given the case it came in, this is from the 60s or early 70s.
Now before you ask, no I don't own shares in Starrett (although I do have one of their caps!). I generally search for Starrett or Mitutoyo when looking for metrology tooling and then decide on which one seems to be the best choice. I have seen other brands mentioned here, such as Lufkin and Brown and Sharpe but the ones I have seen are either too much or too abused (also common with Starrett and Mitutoyo).
Hunting American dentists since 2015.