I review a cheap digital micrometer from Banggood - is it any good ?

Professional 0-25mm Electronic Digital Micrometer -- goo.gl/Xa1pEh
More Digital Calipers -- goo.gl/pEhmnu
Banggood Black Friday Sale -- goo.gl/eGrsdG
Disclosure: This video contains the review of a donated product.
Camera: Nikon L820

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Super useful review with the extraordinary quality of measurement. I have always liked digital & then one day Myfordboy showed that if one sets the reading to the desired value & then zeroes it, one gets a measurement directly of the excess of the component to the desired. This made a huge difference to my machine work & is why I greatly prefer digital to analogue, but for budget reasons I have made do with digital callipers. Thanks for the review, maybe I will ask Santa for one!

[@ronsites2694]

I saw the same thing on Myfordboy and wondered why I had not thought of it. Sure makes it easier.

[@somebodyelse6673]

I use the same idea to take measurements where I can't read the mic. Ratchet it down and then zero it, take it out & screw it to fully closed. Then read the dimension as "negative" from the zero you set. More convenient with calipers, but it still works with micrometers.

[@ronsites2694]

I really like your reviews, very practical and down to earth. Keep it up, good information!

[@poplarhouse]

Good review and a good buy, too. Thanks, as always, Rob. I wonder if that bit of plastic was meant to be used to remove the battery door? If it fits, it'd be less likely to damage the plastic cap.

[@Xynudu]

Hi Charles. I figured out after the video what it was. It's actually part of the rather B grade plastic case that is meant to clip in situ but doesn't do anything useful ;) I binned it. It probably could be used for the battery cover door. Cheers Rob

[@whidbeyman]

One of the most important attributes of these auto on/off instruments is battery life. Ave’s tests typically show that the cheap units have far higher current drain when ‘asleep’. I don’t know if you are equipped to measure microamps, Rob, but it surely would be good to know.

[@Xynudu]

Hi Paul, If Ave's already covered this aspect there's not much point me doing it. I do know that while a lot of these Chinese calipers etc look the same, the electronics differ quite a bit (in line with the price). So it's the luck of the draw really. Cheers Rob

[@whidbeyman]

xynudu But who is to say that they are all the same? Perhaps some manufacturer has taken note of those criticisms. In any case, I’ll bet plenty of your viewers haven’t seen the Ave vids on the subject. He’s not to everyone’s taste.

[@hansschmidt1961]

Thanks for the review, Rob. I also want to thank you for the excellent article on your website on gear-cutting. That article, with all of the pictures and embedded videos is a fantastic resource for the home machinist.

[@Xynudu]

Hi Hans, Thanks for the feedback on the web page. It gets a massive amount of hits, and is the most popular web page I have. Home made piston rings also gets lots of hits. The gear cutting page grew a bit adhoc and doesn't navigate as well as it should, but persist and it's all there. It grew with my learning curve on the subject ;) Like lots of metalwork subjects, it's not as difficult as some people (experts) make out. Cheers Rob

[@Xynudu]

Hi Hans, Just to add to my earlier comment, I no longer do new web pages as the amount of work is excessive compared to KZbin. Also web pages can and do get blacklisted by Google any time they choose and all that work goes down the drain overnight as the result of server hosting issues beyond my control. It happened to me, and those gear cutting web pages all got gonged out and had to be uploaded on my second server site. Lots of re-work. Plus if I die, my ISP is no longer obliged to host my web pages and that information is lost forever. Not so with YT. Web pages are still the best medium for technical descriptions, but that's why I only do YT now. Cheers Rob

[@womble321]

Very interesting and well done for pointing out it was donated etc. So many people dont. I shall look at getting one of these

[@hands-on-eyes-on9029]

The display is a nice size. I think I might look at getting one of those. Thanks for uploading the review.

[@tiko1902]

375/5000 noble friend, I want to congratulate you for doing exactly what I’ve been looking for for a long time, someone who compares Chinese with a reliable brand and a test pad, I loved it. there are videos with a caliper, and a comparator clock, and other tools for turning, I'm going to subscribe to the channel, I loved it

[@Xynudu]

Hi Hamilton, I'm pleased to have you aboard. Unfortunately that digital micrometer had a serious workshop accident so I asked for and reviewed another option from Banggood. This is actually way better IMHO and cheaper as it doesn't include the analogue ability: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa0fYKCaZ2Jo6c I use this daily and it's really very good. Cheers Rob

[@Xynudu]

Having used this for a while now, I have to say that it is actually a sweet unit. The display is excellent and the weight is quite OK. Certainly faster to read and a stable unit. Cheers Rob

[@vwcabriolet1971]

Accuracy is not dependant on the number of display digits. It is misleading to quote the last digit. A better check would have been across a number of different sizes using a good set of gauge blocks ( slip gauges).

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

I bought one to , they are great little tools !

[@pauln1557]

Hi Rob, After seeing several positive reviews of Banggood products, including your one on carbide inserts, I went ahead and bought an R8 - ER25 collet chuck holder for my mill. It was only NZD32 delivered, so worth a try. However, quality was poor, the internal taper for the er25 collets ran out 0.18mm TIR and the 'hardened' surfaces could be cut with a hand file. The good news is that Banggood eventually gave me a full refund, plus I got to keep the collet chuck holder. So, now my challenge is to see if my fledgling machining skills are up to reboring the internal taper more accurately!! Keep up the great videos. Regards Paul

[@Xynudu]

Hi Paul, That's bad news and good news I suppose. That's pretty poor run out for sure. It's easy to machine the internal taper for the collet. I recommend using a small pencil die grinder and fine grain stone or disc to do it, gives a great finish. I did the Schaublin ER collet chuck I made that way. However, the runout can be caused by a few things - the Morse taper can be out, the internal collet taper can be out, and the external thread on the collet chuck also can be bad (the thread accuracy and fit plays a major role in collet compression and subsequent accuracy). If the first two are the problem, use a smear of Prussian blue in the chuck taper to see when the fit/grinding is correct. Been there, done that. Cheers Rob

[@whidbeyman]

I have 4 Chinese ER collet chucks. Every one of them arrived with inadequate internal relief on the collet nut. Have a close look at the inside of the nut and see if yours have the same problem. After boring the relief slightly larger, runout was greatly reduced.

[@BundyBearsShed]

I have a similar micrometer and the bloody thing turns on each time you bump the bench. It seems accurate enough but I have flattened a few sets of batteries from sitting it on the bench. for some reason I still go back to my old analogue favourite it seems to fit in my hand better as the digital is a bit bulkier. Metric to imperial conversion is great though. .

[@Xynudu]

The el-cheapo digital caliper shown in the video does that. But it also shuts down after a few minutes of non use as well (up market version ;) The iGaging one doesn't do it. The BG mic seems OK in that regard. Time will tell I suppose. Rob

[@StripeyType]

In both those cases, just as in the inexpensive digital calipers, the 'off' switch is nothing of the sort - it only turns off the LCD display, while the rest of the circuit remains live (and draining your batteries). I've taken to removing the batteries when I'm not using them.

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day Rob interesting video I have a Mytsi digital and it wasn't cheap but it's accurate. The thing I like about this one is the very big screen and large buttons. The Mytsi is not that user friendly and it would be a real problem if you have large fingers. So all in all pretty good for the price like everything I seen and bought though banggood, thanks for the review Rob regards John

[@joshonthetube]

Thanks for the thorough review, very interesting!

[@Xynudu]

I've always wondered what these cheap units were like. I expect plenty of others do too.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Great review Rob, looks like a nice mic. Seems a bit bulky, but a good value.

[@Xynudu]

Quite good. One thing I have noticed is that they are a bit temperature sensitive due to their high decimal point capability. So it's necessary to zero them each day if there is a large temperature variation. Cheers Rob

[@barrycass2820]

The show goes on

[@craigsmith9884]

G' day mate. Any experience with there (bang good) reamers?

[@Xynudu]

Hi Craig. No. However Rolingmetal channel did review some recently. His titles are a bit ambiguous, so look for any video mentioning reamers. Cheers Rob

[@Citizen-of-theworld]

Very nice review. My worry though is whether they sent you a perfectly calibrated one because they wanted you to review it. Chinese products are notorious at being hit and miss with quality control. I just wish it was one you had ordered anonymously.

[@Xynudu]

My orders go through the same process/system as anyone else. Banggood aren't going to have time or facilities to test and calibrate stuff. I have received dud items like anyone else. Cheers Rob

[@armdaMan]

Hello there Rob from South Africa Good to see that U were quite surprised with the Quality of this Mike. 'Tis been contrary to all our expectations as these Far Eastern Dudes are now producing much better quality products of recent, which is a good sign. And most importantly, the price is indeed most affordable. Have ordered a Set of Metric Reamers from them, which cost a fortune on "Flea Bay", whilst these were at less than a Third in comparison. Can't wait to get my hands on my new toys to test them out and evaluate their performance !!! Thanks for sharing ATB aRM

[@Xynudu]

I certainly was surprised how accurate this unit was. Where it counts the quality is good. In non critical areas it's pretty ordinary. For the money it's a great performer. Good luck with the reamers. I think Rolingmetal channel reviewed some BG ones recently - may be worth your look. Cheers Rob

[@cylosgarage]

Robin (Renzetti) showcased what the emails from banggood reps look like on his instagram. It's a mystery how you can communicate with them lol. Great stuff though

[@Xynudu]

The person I deal with has perfect English skills, and is no different to me corresponding with you. I expect there are multiple agents required to deal with all this, so it's possible some may not be as proficient in English. To date dealing with Banggood has been totally seamless and easy. No complaints on any level. Cheers Rob

[@terrycannon570]

I am assuming since it is electronic it will do mm as well as inches. Yes or No ?

[@Xynudu]

Yes.

[@nedshead5906]

Impressive range and accuracy for the money, does it have a sleep mode that stores your measurement? it would be nice to find out how long the battery lasts, some use power to store measurements when in sleep mode that chew the battery, maybe when off too, but I'm not sure

[@Xynudu]

It doesn't have a hold function. Basic unit only. The more expensive unit with TOL has hold, but that's out of stock. Battery life is yet to be determined. I will use it as a daily device and see how it goes. Rob

[@jusb1066]

hard to measure something so low, the meter will cause a massive degree of error, basically a year per battery is about what id expect,

[@brianwarburton4482]

I just clicked on the link and the micrometer that Banggood is selling now is completely different to the one reviewed

[@Xynudu]

The description has been wrong from day one. I did advise BG of this before I did the review. I also mentioned it in the video.

[@petek210]

Just like a lot of Chinese tools; crude in ways but surprisingly functional and great value.

[@marklowe7431]

If I was you I'd be investing in some glasses, when you get some buy two sets. One for me. The mag glass is gold.

[@terrycannon570]

Looking at the part you are measuring it looks like a dead center. This to me means it is a tapered shank. So unless you can guarantee you are taking the measurements at the exact same place each time you change tools then you are not comparing apples to apples.

[@Xynudu]

It's not tapered. As I stated, it's used to measure chuck run out - it has parallel sides. Rob

[@terrycannon570]

I guess that I may have missed that part. I have a hard time hearing sometimes. Thanks for the rapid response. Did you say what kind of material the anvils are made of?

[@Xynudu]

No problem. The anvils have carbide faces. Cheers Rob

[@jasonburns1407]

Shouldn’t the test piece measure 25.00mm and not 25.01 ?

[@Xynudu]

The test piece was rated at 30 C temperature for the nominal 25 mm measurement. As I said in the video, the workshop temperature was close to 36 C that day and there was obvious test piece expansion - as expected. That's why you always check the temperature rating of the test piece when calibrating instruments. The same thing applies to high tolerance fit machine work, work piece temperature rise must be allowed for. Rob

[@jasonburns1407]

xynudu because it’s such a small diameter I don’t think it would change .01 of a mill. As a grinder for 25 years it is a lot out.if it was a 75mm testpiece it would be about .01 out at 40deg c just check the calibration of the test piece at 20 deg. Thanks for sharing.

[@Xynudu]

Hi Jason, You are right on the money. Today is 18 C and I just re-measured the test piece with both the Mitutoyo and the BG micrometers and got the same result as in the video. The 6 C rise on the day was not enough to cause the discrepancy as you point out. So it is certain that the Mitutoyo test piece is actually out of spec by 0.01 mm. So much for Mitutoyo quality. Good call. Cheers Rob

[@jasonburns1407]

xynudu cheers mate relax and in joy a beer and I’ll see you on your next video.

[@patrickcraig6032]

Rob,not bad.Like the big screen for tired eyes.LOL

[@Xynudu]

Hi Patrick, Yes, I like that big screen. Very sharp and clear. I wish my iGaging caliper had one like that. Cheers Rob

[@patrickcraig6032]

Thanks for the reply.Go have that beer!

[@robmckennie4203]

Hit up Aliexpress. You can get the same tools without directly supporting counterfeit Mitutoyo gear

[@Xynudu]

Hi Rob, I've never seen any Mitutoyo or similar quality branded gear on Banggood. They do not sell those or any fake items. Show me where that has occurred please. Rob

[@RobB_VK6ES]

Yes they do. Read the fine print at the bottom. www.banggood.com/Mitutoyo-505-671-0-150mm-Frame-Plating-Titanium-Dial-Caliper-Vernier-Caliper-p-1018088.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN. If you held the micrometer correctly then the lock would be easier to operate.

[@cyoungso]

Price is $57 now

[@Xynudu]

That's AU dollars price. I meant to say the prices in the video were in US dollars. My bad. Rob

[@martingreen530]

Without sounding like a smart ass......... A one handed use to measuring with a micrometer to component is normal practise in the hands of a skilled engineer........Been doing it for many years......44 .... I rest my case

[@Xynudu]

Why does a skilled engineer bother to watch a back yard hackers channel ? Rob

[@7duser10]

Batteries. Bloody batteries. The cheapies absolutely eat them. We bought a bunch of various cheapies at work and the batteries don't last beyond month, threw mine in the bin. Also they give wrong readings as the batteries get low. There is a good review on YT somewhere about the difference between mitutoyos electronics and others, maybe by AvE....

[@Xynudu]

The ones without low battery warning will read low - with calipers. It remains to be seen how the mic goes in that respect. Time will tell. Cheers Rob

[@7duser10]

xynudu yep interested to see a follow up review in 3-6 mths 😀 nice one cheers

[@jusb1066]

only some super cheap ones had a terrible battery life, i paid 8 quid for my digi calipers, they use 1 battery a year, and do not give wrong reading when low, just a very dim display, ave's was not representative at all, just managed to find something very substandard