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I'm am desperately looking for a stewmac digital caliper, or one that will do everything that it will. It's the last tool I need for my tool list I need for my school program I'm going to. The fall semester is going to be kicked off with being graded on having the tools they require, which means I need this pretty badly. The stewmac site says that it's discontinued and I don't know if there are other sources, or what brand it is or anything. Or if there is a caliper that is the same in features I can get elsewhere.

I have a cheap caliper that doesn't do half of the things this does, therefore I won't be able to scrap by with out it.

Here's the link for the caliper: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Measu ... es#details

If anyone can help me out I'd greatly appreciate it.

-Dan

Looks just like the three (which have worked perfectly for several years now) we purchased from Harbor Freight on sale for about $10 -$12

It looks like the Stewmac tool has a couple little additions for gauging fretwire, but otherwise, I see no reason to spend the money over what you can get at HF. I use a dial caliper, which you can get for even less.
I would recommend the HF version too.

Kevin

I have two of the HF ones as well. More than likely, any time you buy fretwire, you can get a list of different gauges. Print the list out, keep it handy, and compare your measurements from the cheap calipers to the list, now you've identified your fret wire. 99% of the tools sold by stewmac or LMI are conveniences, a way to make a buck on normal every day tools, or a way to make a job super easy when typically done other ways.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-com ... 93293.html

Looks like the price has gone up a bit -- the plastic version only has .00 resolution I'd spend the extra bucks and get this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dig ... 47257.html

Dan,

If you can deal with it, just an analog caliper will do great. Does not have to cost big bucks.
In my work as a motorcylcle mechanic it is accurate enough, so it will be fine in guitarbuilding by far.
Plus you don't have to worry about a battery and hoping the electronics do their job.

Herman

On sale starts today $12.99 catalog 901-b

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dig ... 47257.html

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I actually have a caliper similar to the harbor freight one, it make actually be from harbor freight, I can't remember...

Anyhow, I ordered from one LMI that basically the same as the Stewmac one and I believe it has the fret gauge on that as well. The only reason I need to worry about getting it as close to the stewmac one is because it's is specifically requried for my school tool list, which would be graded on. I also was required to order a Veritas standard block plane for about 150 bucks, and a set of quality chisels and lee valley was an acceptable brand, so I got that.

Should be all set now.

Wow, they grade you on the ability to outfit your toolbox, eh? That's odd. Glad you found what you needed.