Hi! just wanted to chime in I am not much of a machinist - but am learning a lot in my old age, My grandfather was a tool and die maker back in the day he retired in the late 50's. When he retired remember going to the plant where he worked with my mother to pick up his tool boxes. I always loved looking inside at all the "stuff". today I have most of his tools in my shop mostly L. S. Starrett and B&S measuring tools. I am far from a professional but for some reason the feel of the old Starrett mikes feel nice in your hand as compared to some of the others out there today.