I want a Mitutoyo Digimatic series 293 electronic micrometer and I’m going to buy one. It doesn’t matter if I actually need it a lot or not, I just want one, I’ve got some money and I’m going to have it. There, now that we have that out of the way….
What spindle to get ? I’m only familiar with ratchet stop mics, but I’m leaning towards the friction spindle for this one. I’m not heavy handed and I sort of like the idea that there’s no “hammer action” with the friction spindle, but I have never used one, nor do I know anyone with one, so it’s going to be a leap of faith without hopefully some comments and words from those of you that have used them and your impressions of them.
To further add to the paralysis by analysis, Mitutoyo has a third option - “ratchet spindle” which is something different again – it looks from the literature on their site that it’s a ratchet without the little knob at the end of the spindle but they describe it as “audible operation provides confirmation of constant measuring force” whereas the ratchet stop is described as “Audible clicking operation causes micro-shocks”. It seems to me that the mechanism with the ratchet thimble is more like a friction thimble with a little noise, rather that the classic hammer effect of the ratchet stop. The friction spindle of course is described as “Smooth operation without shock or sound”.
Here are the three models I’m looking at -
293-340 – Ratchet Stop
293-344 – Ratchet Thimble
293-348 – Friction Thimble
Has anyone on here tried out or used these various options and can enlighten me as to their impressions of them? I was leaning towards the friction spindle, but the ratchet spindle has me entrigued now that I am reading Mitutoyo’s literature.
I realize that any of them are going to be fine instruments and I can always ignore the force limiting feature and go by feel, but I’d like to learn about the relative merits / impressions of the three force limiting features above.
Thanks !
What spindle to get ? I’m only familiar with ratchet stop mics, but I’m leaning towards the friction spindle for this one. I’m not heavy handed and I sort of like the idea that there’s no “hammer action” with the friction spindle, but I have never used one, nor do I know anyone with one, so it’s going to be a leap of faith without hopefully some comments and words from those of you that have used them and your impressions of them.
To further add to the paralysis by analysis, Mitutoyo has a third option - “ratchet spindle” which is something different again – it looks from the literature on their site that it’s a ratchet without the little knob at the end of the spindle but they describe it as “audible operation provides confirmation of constant measuring force” whereas the ratchet stop is described as “Audible clicking operation causes micro-shocks”. It seems to me that the mechanism with the ratchet thimble is more like a friction thimble with a little noise, rather that the classic hammer effect of the ratchet stop. The friction spindle of course is described as “Smooth operation without shock or sound”.
Here are the three models I’m looking at -
293-340 – Ratchet Stop
293-344 – Ratchet Thimble
293-348 – Friction Thimble
Has anyone on here tried out or used these various options and can enlighten me as to their impressions of them? I was leaning towards the friction spindle, but the ratchet spindle has me entrigued now that I am reading Mitutoyo’s literature.
I realize that any of them are going to be fine instruments and I can always ignore the force limiting feature and go by feel, but I’d like to learn about the relative merits / impressions of the three force limiting features above.
Thanks !