This is a scenario where having a few gauge blocks or 1-2-3 blocks comes in handy.Originally Posted by maudib
With the resolution of most dial and digital calipers being +/- 0.001 inch, a 1-2-3 block ground within +/- 0.0002 inch is a adequate check.
Example:
https://www.amazon.com/Taytools--Har.../dp/B081D9CYPJ
Purchased a used Mitutoyo dial model yesterday for $45. Going to crank out a few 223 rounds today and use both the new-to-me dial and the existing digital on them for comparison.
Let us know how the comparison goes. I’m always curious about stuff like this.
JTD
Case gauge time.
Spent a few minutes re-measuring a sample of the 9mm I made last week with both calipers. There was a consistent .005 difference in digital vs the dial, with the dial measuring shorter than the digital. The dial was bought from Craigslist, I asked when it was last calibrated. The short answer I received was, "a month or so ago by the shop's weights and measures guy". Good news is that the there was exact consistency in the readings, which I went through and did twice for 5 different cartridges.
Bad news is that I don't currently own a gauge block so that is next on the list to pick up as soon as possible. If anyone has a reason that I should look for something more that what I found at the Home Depot site, please let me know.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-3-in...0423/308391064
Last edited by maudib; 01-17-2021 at 04:54 PM.
I need to get some of those
JTD
My, um, critique of this idea: there is no statement about the accuracy of the block. Maybe this information is somewhere, just wasn’t obvious to me on the Home Depot website or the WEN website. You’re looking for something that is ground to less than 0.0005 inch and preferably closer to 0.0002 inch or better.
If you’re into woodworking, then the Veritas set-up blocks with 1-2-3 block sold by Lee Valley are worth a look. Although, sadly, out of stock at the time of this post.
RustE-
That was the exact information I was hoping that someone on the forum could answer as I could not find it either, including multiple searches for it in alternative sources than the 2 sites you looked at as well. The only function that I'll be using calipers for is reloading. There is a branch of MSC local to me, so I could pick up a 1" Mitutoyo block for $35-ish. If the Wen 123 blocks are going to be within the tolerance of the digital caliper (+|- .0005), I would opt for them due to cost as I am not yet into a level of precision that would really justify the additional cost. Going to send an email to Wen to see if they can tell me what those 123 blocks tolerances are held to by QC during the manufacturing process.
Last edited by maudib; 01-18-2021 at 02:54 AM.
How about these?
http://www.igaging.com/page46.html
Several places sell them:
https://www.grizzly.com/products/iga...ock-set/t24799
https://www.ebay.com/itm/123-blocks-...oAAOSwgqlaljO0
Another option:
https://www.penntoolco.com/precise-u...locks-ubs-123/
Appreciate the options, RustE. Waiting on a return email from WEN as to the accuracy of their blocks before I make any decisions.
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