Digital Height Gage

Topics include, Machine Tools & Tooling, Precision Measuring, Materials and their Properties, Electrical discussions related to machine tools, setups, fixtures and jigs and other general discussion related to amateur machining.

Moderators: GlennW, Harold_V

golash
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:53 am
Location: Northamptom, Ma

Digital Height Gage

Post by golash »

Hi

I`m in the market for a low cost height gage. I have the Shars catalog and
wonder if anyone here has one of their height gages.

http://www.shars.com/products/view/2119 ... eight_Gage
User avatar
DICKEYBIRD
Posts: 176
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 10:45 am
Location: Collierville, TN

Post by DICKEYBIRD »

Haven't seen a Shars but I got one of these recently and it's one heckuva bargain. May be the same unit even. It certainly works very well and is as accurate as my mikes & 1-2-3 blocks (and me) are. YMMV.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93488
Milton in Tennessee

"Accuracy is the sum total of your compensating mistakes."
User avatar
mechanicalmagic
Posts: 1431
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:11 am
Location: Pleasanton, CA Land of perfect weather

Post by mechanicalmagic »

I have a height gauge exactly like the one from Shars. Not sure where I bought it, but I do have some Shars stuff, along with many ebay finds.

Shars does not spec an accuracy, but don't expect better than +-.001 (on a good day). I just checked mine. On a 1-2-3 block (2.002" side), on a granite surface plate, I got 2.001. Similar error on other sides. Mine seemed to always read high. If you are performing tight tolerance work, always use a standard and check your measuring instruments.

I use it most times to layout work, helps me from making that dreaded .100 error, when using an edge finder. Good for sheet metal layout too.

Dave J.
Every day I ask myself, "What's the most fun thing to do today."
9x48 BP clone, 12x36 lathe, TIG, MIG, Gas, 3 in 1 sheetmetal.
Lew Hartswick
Posts: 775
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:45 am
Location: Albuquerque NM

Post by Lew Hartswick »

mechanicalmagic wrote:
I use it most times to layout work, helps me from making that dreaded .100 error, when using an edge finder.
Dave J.
That made me chuckle. Once I used the vise jaw for the edge and then
added the .100 instead of subtracting it . Fun and games. :-)
...lew...
Jose Rivera
Posts: 3803
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:21 pm
Location: Vallejo California

Post by Jose Rivera »

I like the ones with dial because they're more "visual".

I can calculate extra material far much easier with a dial caliper than with a digital.

My head has never been very good at juggling numbers.
There are no problems, only solutions.
--------------
Retired journeyman machinist and 3D CAD mechanical designer - hobbyist - grandpa
toastydeath
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:00 pm
Location: Newark, DE

Post by toastydeath »

We stick tenth indicators on all our height gauges instead of those little feely doodads they come with. Really helps with the consistency, and then you can also use it to check part geometry, hole location, etc quite a deal faster.
mechanicalmagic wrote:.... that dreaded .100 error, when using an edge finder. ....
Even on CNC, I crank the machine over .100 (from zero the DRO if on a manual, or zero the MPG wheel and do one turn on CNC) and check it visually. My scrap rate went down substantially after this practice began.
Richard_W
Posts: 2031
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 1:00 am
Location: Molalla, Oregon

Post by Richard_W »

I have 2 of the Harbor Freight 12" and they are still in the box. They were on sale at the HF parking lot sale and I got one for $20.00 at one sale. The other was $40 at another HF parking lot sale. Haven't used either one yet or the Enco granite plate.

I like the digital ones better, because several of the dial height gages it was hard to read the .100 counter. It was like the gears were sloppy and several of us had trouble reading them. Those were the good mitutoyo ones. I think they might have been worn out even though they were calibrated often.


Richard W.
Jose Rivera
Posts: 3803
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:21 pm
Location: Vallejo California

Post by Jose Rivera »

Agree to the counter, but once one gets used to it doing quick calculation is easier for me.

Hight gages are the "numero uno" tool for inspection. Not having one is like having your best hand missing.

For shop use ... naaaa !

Though after I learned the value of one after working for some 12 years doing final inspection; once I went back to machining it was a blessing to know how to use one.

The rest of the machinist looked at me as if had lost a marble.
Same look as when I introduce computers and CAD to them around 1992.
Commodore Amiga. As close as a Silicone Graphics computer that one could have for home use.

Some may still thinking .. what was that for ? :lol:
There are no problems, only solutions.
--------------
Retired journeyman machinist and 3D CAD mechanical designer - hobbyist - grandpa
JimGlass
Posts: 2281
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 8:33 pm
Location: 40 Miles West of Chicago/near DeKalb
Contact:

Post by JimGlass »

I bought a 12" digital electronic height gage on Ebay for around $80. Had it 5 years and like it.

Jim
Tool & Die Maker/Electrician, Retired 2007

So much to learn and so little time.

www.outbackmachineshop.com
Richard-TX
Posts: 155
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:55 am
Contact:

Post by Richard-TX »

Jose Rivera wrote:I like the ones with dial because they're more "visual".

I can calculate extra material far much easier with a dial caliper than with a digital.

My head has never been very good at juggling numbers.
Me either. The dial caliper and dial height gauge is tops for me. Last longer and cheaper to own too.
Richard_W
Posts: 2031
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2003 1:00 am
Location: Molalla, Oregon

Post by Richard_W »

I find the digital calipers are cheaper to own. Usually when something is wrong a new battery fixes it. A dial caliper usually cost 2/3 of new to get fixed.


Richard W.
Lew Hartswick
Posts: 775
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:45 am
Location: Albuquerque NM

Post by Lew Hartswick »

Richard_W wrote:I find the digital calipers are cheaper to own. Usually when something is wrong a new battery fixes it. A dial caliper usually cost 2/3 of new to get fixed.
Richard W.
If you treat a dial caliper properly it'll last every bit s long as a digital one
and wont cost for batteries. They can be read in a lot more difficult lighting
conditions (seems to be common around a lot of shops) and to top it off:
I'm an ANALOG sort of guy. :-)
...lew...
Post Reply