Well not an exhaustive comparison but....
Last year I picked up 3 used Mitutoyo micrometers at a fantastic price. When I took a closer look at them, I was a little disappointed, not their accuracy (I havent checked them yet), but in their build quality.
They all have holes in the frame, carbide faces, and the anvil and spindle measure 0.250", and all have a plastic logo which looks to be glued in place. All made in Japan.
The 4-5" is all metal and engraved numbers and lines on the sleeve and thimble.
The 3-4" is all metal except for the lock lever which is plastic. And the numbers and lines are painted? on.
The 2-3" has plastic lock lever, plastic ratchet stop, and painted numbers.
So it seems tha these were all made in different years.
In contrast, the Starrett's have a solid frame, the spindle and anvil are 0.270" in diameter and do not have carbide faces (though they do offer them with carbide). All metal; all the numbers and lines are real engraving, and the logo is integral with the frame and engraved too. These were made in Great Britain, (Jedburgh, Scotland).
Needless to say, I prefer the Starrett's. But from what I understand, their quality has taken a bit of a dive over the last decade, and some of their current products are made in China.
Last year I picked up 3 used Mitutoyo micrometers at a fantastic price. When I took a closer look at them, I was a little disappointed, not their accuracy (I havent checked them yet), but in their build quality.
They all have holes in the frame, carbide faces, and the anvil and spindle measure 0.250", and all have a plastic logo which looks to be glued in place. All made in Japan.
The 4-5" is all metal and engraved numbers and lines on the sleeve and thimble.
The 3-4" is all metal except for the lock lever which is plastic. And the numbers and lines are painted? on.
The 2-3" has plastic lock lever, plastic ratchet stop, and painted numbers.
So it seems tha these were all made in different years.
In contrast, the Starrett's have a solid frame, the spindle and anvil are 0.270" in diameter and do not have carbide faces (though they do offer them with carbide). All metal; all the numbers and lines are real engraving, and the logo is integral with the frame and engraved too. These were made in Great Britain, (Jedburgh, Scotland).
Needless to say, I prefer the Starrett's. But from what I understand, their quality has taken a bit of a dive over the last decade, and some of their current products are made in China.
