No micrometer--what else can i use to measure brakes?
 

I need to measure my front discs and I can't find a micrometer to save my life. Does anyone have a suggestion on what I can use in place of one while I search for one online?

Also does anyone know of a micrometer that I can order that is cheap? I don't want anything fancy since I'll use it one every few years.

Just search on Amazon. They have several under $30.

My dad buys reloading equipment from midway.com. He has a Frankford Arsenal Caliper that measure to thousandths that he likes. If you need ten-thousandths precision, there's this for $38. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=257288

There a few other cheaper alternatives on there too.

Have you tried Harbor Freight? They had a micrometer last time I was there and there's one in Gaithersburg.

A caliper actually gives a more accurate measurement, but both will work.

I bought a digital micrometer at HF, on sale, for about $10 this summer (it might have been $8). It works, but I suspect there are better ones out there. That said, I also have a use for it every 2 years or so...

They don't have one that cheap right now, but close: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...551&pricetype=

Peter

x3 or 4 on Harbor Freight. Behind Lake Forest mall in Gaithersburg. Lots of Micrometers and digital calipers under $20. Get a micrometer for brakes, a caliper can't really be used since it hits the lip on the outside of the rotor.

A micrometer is actually the more accurate device, often to beyond a tenth of a thousandth. (Just because a caliper reads those digits doesn't mean theyre "significant" - the spec book that comes w/ it even says so;).

Problem w/ calipers is that they cant measure over the lip of a 1/2 worn rotor. A mic has no problem w/ the reach. In day to day use, a caliper is about 10x more handy though. The $15 chinese ones work well enough.

SMD
________
Honda z-series

Wow, I botched that. I confused the two, Micrometer is the better tool for sure.

local Sears or Ace hardware has one if you need it now. I can loan you one if you can meet in Reston, Sterling or Tyson