I would avoid the newer Fowler/SPI machinist tools and most of the cheaper measurement tools. I had a Fowler caliper and it fell apart within a year. Igaging makes very good caliper's, I have their 6" Absolute and also a Mitutoyo 8" Absolute, they both read the same and have held up well. Mitutoyo there are a ton of fakes on eBay and Amazon, so be very careful if you plan to buy one. Personally I think the Igaging makes great midpoint cost measurement tools that hold up. The Absolute measurement types hold their position even when shutoff, prevents a lot of mistakes that I encountered with my Fowler, I could not trust the readings. Avoid the cheaper versions of the Mitutoyo's (MyCal) and a few other name brands, there accuracy is poorer. Otherwise there is a ton of used mechanical dial type calipers that you can pick up inexpensively.
On micrometers I also have the Mitutoyo QuantuMike in a 1" and the Igaging in the 2, 3, 4", both work very well and very accurate checking them against a calibration standard. I prefer the thimble on the QuantuMike, the Igaging is just a spring loaded plunger, but price wise it is hard to justify the additional cost for the QuantuMike. This is one area where if you want a straight mechanical type micrometer, you should be able to pick up some decent ones Starrett / Brown & Sharpe / Mitutoyo on eBay and/or garage sales for very little cost. Those with thimble ratchet clutch have a preset clamping force which tends to give more consistent readings.
Dial indicators, depends on what you need/looking for. I recommend that you look at a multiple turn dials, my go to dial indicators are the Starrett 25-511 and 25-611, these are 0.0001" increment with a 0.2" range. I have assorted tips, they were around $70 used but looked almost new. There is a new 25-611 on eBay that you could make an offer on if you need a dial gauge:
Starrett Dial Indicator 25-611 / 655-611J.200 Range.
www.ebay.com
Alternate is used Mitutoyo, B&S, Compac dial indicators, but there are also a lot of fakes with the Mitutoyo. The cheaper ones, well the movements are often poor and I wouldn't trust the accuracy. I would go used before I bought a cheaper no-name Chinese made one.
Test indicators, I have had a range, but I only use one these days which is the Compac 215GA which has the larger dial face. The 215G has a smaller dial face, but is still a very nice indicator if you eyesight is still good. I like the 0.0001" accuracy in a multi-turn, the range on these are 0.02", otherwise a 0.0005" in a multi-turn. I have 2 an interapid's and 3 Compac's test indicators, I prefer the latter but they are all very good. If you are looking for something new that is less expensive I would look at the Igaging test indicator, otherwise something used that isn't beat up.
Compac 215A jeweled dial test indicator, made in Switzerland. Includes case and clamp as shown. Compac are simply the finest dial indicators in the world. I can hear you now:But, but, but what about Interapid?.
www.ebay.com
As you probably already know, Interapid is widely regarded as the very best of the best (though Compacs are better). I’m not saying that itappears to be working like new or that Ithink it’s working like new.
www.ebay.com
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 0.060" Double Range DIAL TEST INDICATOR .0005" - iGAGING at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
I am sure there are a lot of other measurement indicators to choose from, just giving you my experience with the ones I have used. I would prefer to buy just one good measurement tool rather than a draw full.
