Thomas mfg mechanical caliper vs. Airheart caliper

[jdub198425]

I'm getting ready to buy a mechanical caliper for my go cart and I am wondering which caliper is the better buy. I already have an Airheart (NorthernTool) on my other cart so I know what I am getting with that one, but the Thomas Mfg caliper (bmikarts) is 15 bucks cheaper and it appears to be the same thing. I know that the Airheart comes with the bracket, but I have not ordered from Northern Tool. Also not sure if Bmikarts includes a bracket with their caliper, but I have ordered from them several times. Any thoughts, comments or direction would be appreciated? Thanks

 

[Blazkowiez]

Call and ask them. Mechanically Thomas is a great company and the calipers are nearly the same thing. Just ask them about the bracket.

 

[jdub198425]

What about the size of the caliper? I need something approximately the size of the Airheart caliper. I have another one that I got at a swap meet that is TINY.

 

[Blazkowiez]

They're the exact same. The pucks are the same, the caliper is the same, the rebuilt kit is the same, the bracketing is the same.

 

[jdub198425]

Thats what I thought. Thanks

 

[Blazkowiez]

I will note however, Comet mechanical brakes while similar in size work differently. Do not mistake the pictures for the product.

 

[jdub198425]

Comet? Thats a third mfg? Not a Thomas right?

 

[Blazkowiez]

Correct, Carlisle also makes a brake caliper that looks shockingly identical to Thomas and Airheart mechanical brakes. However the main bolt is different.

 

[jdub198425]

Ok. I saw some pics of an actual Thomas caliper that someone was selling on here. Thats what made me think that they were nearly identical. One thing I didn't see from the pic though was the ability to change the position of the actuator arm. On my Airheart there is a pin that holds the arm on. There is also a 2nd hole for that pin so I can drive it out and reposition the actuator arm using the 2nd hole. The desciption of the Thomas caliper says that it is possible to do. I just didn't notice the extra whole or pin in the pic

 

[jdub198425]

*extra hole not whole

 

[souperman000]

BMI sells compatible caliper mounts on their website as well if you need one.