If you are choosing between the
Availability note: The original General Tools #143 listing covered here is no longer live. Amazon links now point to the verified General Tools #147 six-inch digital caliper as the closest current same-brand alternative.
current General Tools #147 digital caliper and the Anytime Tools 6-inch dial caliper, the real split is digital speed versus battery-free simplicity.Both are reasonable budget tools for checking part width, hole size, wall thickness, and hardware fit on printed parts. The decision is not about laboratory metrology. It is about whether you want numbers at a glance or a manual tool that never needs batteries.
Short answer
Buy the General Tools 143 if you want the easier starter path for quick fit checks and fast readouts. Buy the Anytime Tools dial caliper if you want a battery-free bench tool that stays ready in a drawer and gives you a more classic analog measurement workflow.
What actually separates them
- General Tools 143: better fit for owners who want quick digital readouts for everyday print-fit debugging.
- Anytime Tools dial caliper: better fit for owners who dislike batteries and prefer an analog readout that is still easier to scan than a pure vernier scale.
- Main split: the General Tools pick is about convenience; the Anytime Tools pick is about battery-free ownership and classic bench simplicity.
When the General Tools 143 makes more sense
The General Tools 143 is the cleaner buy when your main goal is getting answers quickly. If you are checking whether a printed tab is oversized, whether a hole needs more clearance, or whether a tolerance issue belongs in CAD or slicer settings, a digital display makes the job easier.
- you want fast visible numbers for repeated fit checks
- you are buying a first caliper and want the lower-learning-curve option
- you mainly use the tool for quick bench sanity checks, part sizing, and filament spot checks
- you care more about speed and simplicity than avoiding batteries
That makes it the stronger beginner-friendly choice. It does not ask you to interpret a dial or a vernier scale before you can get back to solving the print problem.
When the Anytime Tools dial caliper makes more sense
The Anytime Tools route gets stronger when you want a measurement tool that can sit on the bench for months and still be ready instantly. It also fits buyers who like analog tools and want something more visual than a vernier caliper without moving back to batteries and screens.
- you want a battery-free caliper that is always ready
- you prefer analog bench tools or already trust dial-style readings
- you want a more classic machine-shop feel for repeated printed-part checks
- you dislike the long-term annoyance of dead coin cells in cheap digital calipers
That makes the Anytime Tools pick more attractive for the owner who values tool readiness and analog simplicity over instant digital readouts.
Digital convenience versus battery-free readiness
This is the whole argument. The General Tools 143 solves the "I want fast numbers now" problem. The Anytime Tools dial caliper solves the "I want a bench tool that stays useful without battery drama" problem.
If you measure printed parts often and want the shortest path from question to answer, digital convenience usually wins. If you use a caliper more occasionally, or simply prefer mechanical tools that do not depend on electronics, the dial lane becomes more appealing.
How they fit 3D-printing work
For ordinary 3D printing, both are useful for tolerance checks, hardware-fit measurements, outside dimensions, depth checks, and verifying whether a print issue is actually dimensional before you start changing machine settings blindly.
That is why this is a real comparison. Many benches do not need premium metrology. They need a budget caliper that matches the owner's workflow.
What each one is best for
General Tools 143 is best for:
- makers who want quick digital readings for fit checks and setup work
- buyers who want an easier first caliper for 3D printing
- owners who expect regular quick measurement use and want the simplest readout
Anytime Tools dial caliper is best for:
- makers who want a battery-free bench tool for repeated printed-part checks
- buyers who prefer analog tools over cheap digital electronics
- owners who want a classic workshop caliper that is easier to read than a pure vernier model
Which one is the better buy?
The General Tools 143 is the better buy if you want the fastest and easiest budget measurement workflow for normal 3D-print troubleshooting. The Anytime Tools dial caliper is the better buy if you want battery-free tool ownership and a more mechanical measurement style.
That is the honest split. General Tools wins on convenience. Anytime Tools wins on battery-free bench readiness.
Bottom line
If you want a cheap digital caliper for fast fit checks, the current General Tools #147 makes more sense. If you want a battery-free dial caliper for a classic bench workflow, the Anytime Tools dial caliper is the smarter buy.
The simple rule is easy: buy General Tools for quicker readouts, buy Anytime Tools if you care more about battery-free readiness.
Common questions
Is a digital caliper better for most 3D-printing beginners?
Usually yes. A digital display is easier for fast fit checks and lowers the friction for routine printed-part measurement.
Why would someone choose a dial caliper instead?
The biggest reason is battery-free ownership. A dial caliper can sit ready on the bench without dead batteries or flaky low-cost electronics getting in the way.
Can both tools handle ordinary 3D-print tolerance work?
Yes. Both are suitable for routine outside, inside, depth, and hardware-fit checks on printed parts when you need grounded bench measurements instead of guesswork.
Is the dial model harder to use than the digital one?
For many beginners, yes. The digital route is simpler to read quickly, while the dial route rewards buyers who already like analog tools or do not mind a slightly slower workflow.