new classiccmp.org service

That, actually, is what I have a problem with. Many people here know what they're talking about (unlike me?) but I've learnt over the years that if you get two experts together, they will not agree on most things. They won't start a flamewar, but they will have different views, different ways of doing things, and so on. Now, the thing about this list is that often many of us put forward our views, our way of doing things. The original questioner can then see a range of possible answers known that each one 'works' for at least somebody. On the knowledgebase, you're likely to get one or two answers at most, there is no discussion. You think I'm not on a budget? Not having a job for getting on for 8 years doesn't exactly help... I would agree to a point. However, at least over here, manufacturing industry is in a total mess, and there are fair number of second-hand tools (including DTIs, micrometers, etc) from works that have closed down, that are relatively inexpensive and are of good quality. If it's not been misused, a DTI will still be useable, it will not be worn out. I can't rememebr what I paid for mine, but they're a good make (Moore and Wright I think, maybe Starret), probably payed a few 10's of pounds (each) for them. Another general point : It's often better to have a tool/instrument that looks inferior on paper (i.e. a lower specification) but which actually meets that spec, rather than one that seems to be better but doesn't meet the spec (or what you'd expect the spec to be) in peculiar ways. A good 3.5 digit DMM is a lot more use than a poor 4.5 digit one, for example. My experience is that FAQs often are taken in this way, even if that was not the original intention. Yes, that's certainly part of that. I am a great believer in rational discussion (which often takes place on this list). Well, unless the moderator decides to reject articles with a particular viewpoint (no, I don't realistically think this will happen, OK). -tony