Yep, you know you’re a miniaturist when getting tools for mini making excites you. The most recent buy for me is a 6 inch digital caliper by Cen-Tech.
I purchased it at Harbor Freight Tools near my home. I found this company when I was looking into purchasing a small table saw and was informed that they carried the Mighty Mite and debated buying it (but after reading the blah reviews on this product on a few model builder forums, I went with the KS Proxxon instead. My review coming soon, I promise).
I only decided to visit Harbor Freight because they sent me a coupon for $9.99 for the 12 inch calipers which retailed at $25.99. The deal was too good to pass up!
Unfortunately, the coupon was in reality for the 6 inch version that retailed at $12-$13, not the 12 inch version, though the text on the coupon says 12 inch. I argued this fact, but they won out because the model number listed on the coupon was for the 6 inch version (seriously, like I would know what the actual model number was until I got there?). I felt like that was deceptive marketing and I don’t appreciate it – I won’t be back. But even though it was for the 6 inch caliper, I figured I’d have saved a few bucks and I really wanted one so I bought it anyway.
When I got home, I found that I didn’t get much of a deal paying $10+tax for the 6″ calipers after checking out the price on Amazon, which lists it for about $10.50ish for the 6″ version. Ugh.
On top of that, even though calipers on Amazon is a different brand, it looks identical to what I got. Ah well. Another lesson on doing better research before buying… or not giving into temptation. I might have lost out by 10 cents or so with tax and I don’t care about that. I simply do not want to support a dishonest company by buying their stuff. Ugh.
I guess I’m ranting a bit here. I think I’m done for now.
Despite all that, I still love my new caliper. I went about measuring all sorts of stuff around the house. (here I am measuring my finger lol)
This will be infinitely useful in building minis as well as measuring goodies for 3D modeling.
Next purchase will probably be a new camera tripod so I can take better pictures of my minis *wink*wink*
I love that you are nerding out about calipers. I freak about office supplies on a regular basis…and miniature dishes. The family always keeps their distance when I’m at Office Max, or looking for supplies on Etsy. Hurrah for new tools!
🙂
If people want to know how to use calipers for checking measurements when making miniatures you can see and read about it on this blog posting.
karincorbin.blogspot.com/search/label/calipers
The Wixey company makes a very useful caliper for working with miniatures. It read in standard fractions, decimal fractions and millimeters. The quality is good and the price is very reasonable.
i’m go all gooey and squishy when it comes to tools too, hee hee thanks for the heads up! i’ve been keeping a digital calipers on my list too, so this has been most informative and interesting (hey, how thick are your fingernails huh?? 😛 )!
Probably about 1mm… though I think that might have been a rhetoric question! lol