dcorb1
New member
Who makes the best dial indicators,I use Starrett at work,what do you think?
who makes the best dial indicators
- Thread starter dcorb1
- Start date
The best? Interapid. I only break out the few Intera's we have when we get to tenth scale stuff. My favorites from a decent price and quality standpoint have to be Starrett and Mitutoyo. They won't kill your wallet but they work great too. Not saying they're cheap, but a little bit cheaper 
Kinda like asking who make the best pickup. You will find supporters of each brand. Years ago Starrett was hands down favorite. Today, depends on who you ask. B&S, tesla, interapid, Mitutoyo, and others will all run high on the list.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
1984Datsun
Well-known member
I hear Interapid is the best.
Me being a garage/barn/mechanic guy that doesn't need that millionth of an inch, I use my 35 buck made in the USA Empire indicator. Reads in .001" increments, and is accurate.
Check here... they seem to know damn near everything about measuring tools.
http://longislandindicator.com/index.html
They also sell measuring tools... and mainly Swiss brands, which as we all know, the Swiss are extremely **** about accuracy when it is really needed or wanted.
Me being a garage/barn/mechanic guy that doesn't need that millionth of an inch, I use my 35 buck made in the USA Empire indicator. Reads in .001" increments, and is accurate.
Check here... they seem to know damn near everything about measuring tools.
http://longislandindicator.com/index.html
They also sell measuring tools... and mainly Swiss brands, which as we all know, the Swiss are extremely **** about accuracy when it is really needed or wanted.
toolmaker1
Well-known member
I can't stand Compac's , too much flutter of the dial while measuring. I have always been and still am a Brown & Sharpe guy. I have probably 6 or 7 .0001 b&s's and two .0005 and a long point(1.5") .0005. All of them are at least 20 years old and other than cleaning and the one that hit the floor I haven't had to do a thing to them and mine are not toolbox queens. I keep three mounted on Murken's bases that get used all day every day.
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
I use Interapid and Mitutoyo indicators, and like them both equally. One of the guys at work has a Fowler that is total ****.
That's test indicators, I never have a need for plunge indicators really.
That's test indicators, I never have a need for plunge indicators really.
GrantCee
Well-known member
Dial indicators or dial test indicators?
For dial indicators, I'm partial to the German-made Kafer and the Compac. A dial indicator is really only good to about a half-thou, so just about anything works. Some, however, work longer than others, and that's where Kafer and Compac shine. I've had a couple (one inch, one metric) Kafer-made B&S indicators for probably 15 years and they're still perfectly linear. My Compac was purchased used off eBay about 10 years ago, and was at least 15 or 20 years old then, and it too is still perfect. I prefer the dials on the Kafer, so I use those more often.
For test indicators, which measure to a tenth, I prefer Compac or Interapid. The Interapid takes more force to move the arm than does the Compac. This makes them a bit more stable to read, but also means that they're less sensitive on very small parts. For very precise work on small parts, I use one of the Compac models.
The Interapid vertical test indicators are a life saver on some setups!
My personal motto: never buy a Starrett product that incorporates a gear train. They've never been particularly good, and have only gotten worse with time.
For dial indicators, I'm partial to the German-made Kafer and the Compac. A dial indicator is really only good to about a half-thou, so just about anything works. Some, however, work longer than others, and that's where Kafer and Compac shine. I've had a couple (one inch, one metric) Kafer-made B&S indicators for probably 15 years and they're still perfectly linear. My Compac was purchased used off eBay about 10 years ago, and was at least 15 or 20 years old then, and it too is still perfect. I prefer the dials on the Kafer, so I use those more often.
For test indicators, which measure to a tenth, I prefer Compac or Interapid. The Interapid takes more force to move the arm than does the Compac. This makes them a bit more stable to read, but also means that they're less sensitive on very small parts. For very precise work on small parts, I use one of the Compac models.
The Interapid vertical test indicators are a life saver on some setups!
My personal motto: never buy a Starrett product that incorporates a gear train. They've never been particularly good, and have only gotten worse with time.
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I recently got to work on a Starrett 2900-6 indicator, and compared it with a competitive product by Mitutoyo.
The Starrett indicators come with a user friendly 6-button interface, which makes it easy to use and I did not even have to refer to the manual for most functions! The Mitutoyo indicators on the other hand, with a 3-button interface are not self-explanatory. Referring to the manual (which is somewhat tricky to understand) for every task was gruesome.
Replacing the battery is quite simple on both instruments. The battery tray on the Starrett instrument is protected by two screws, whereas the battery in Mitutoyo has an unprotected access. The 2900 comes with true absolute optical scale, which essentially means that even if I replace the battery, the instrument will retain the previously set origin.
Another feature that sets Starrett apart is the IP67 rating, which makes it suitable for all kinds of harsh shop floor environments, which includes all types of industrial fluids like oils, coolants, solvents, naphtha, fuels, water. The Mitutoyo comes with IP54, which is limited in protecting the indicator against dust and water.
In my opinion, The US made Starrett indicators are definitely a step ahead of the Japanese Mitutoyo indicators. But, you know what they say about opinions, right? There's no right and wrong, but only good and better.
The Starrett indicators come with a user friendly 6-button interface, which makes it easy to use and I did not even have to refer to the manual for most functions! The Mitutoyo indicators on the other hand, with a 3-button interface are not self-explanatory. Referring to the manual (which is somewhat tricky to understand) for every task was gruesome.
Replacing the battery is quite simple on both instruments. The battery tray on the Starrett instrument is protected by two screws, whereas the battery in Mitutoyo has an unprotected access. The 2900 comes with true absolute optical scale, which essentially means that even if I replace the battery, the instrument will retain the previously set origin.
Another feature that sets Starrett apart is the IP67 rating, which makes it suitable for all kinds of harsh shop floor environments, which includes all types of industrial fluids like oils, coolants, solvents, naphtha, fuels, water. The Mitutoyo comes with IP54, which is limited in protecting the indicator against dust and water.
In my opinion, The US made Starrett indicators are definitely a step ahead of the Japanese Mitutoyo indicators. But, you know what they say about opinions, right? There's no right and wrong, but only good and better.
Dave455
Well-known member
Traditionally, Starrett has been a safe bet for anything, however, I've been disappointed with some of the Starrett stuff I've been getting of late. An inch reading dial vernier I got was such obvious shite it went straight back! Anything U.S.A. made still seems o.k. though.
Most of my dial gauges are Mercer, a British firm. Sadly, they've been taken over (same old story) and gauges with the the Mercer name are now Swiss. Not convinced they are as good as the 'Made in England' but o.k. Alternatively, I believe most of the Verdict gauges are still British made. I've got one of these and it's been really durable. Believe they may have an economy line made god knows where, but I wouldn't touch those obviously!
If you can find a used one from any quality maker don't hesitate to get it and have it serviced!
Most of my dial gauges are Mercer, a British firm. Sadly, they've been taken over (same old story) and gauges with the the Mercer name are now Swiss. Not convinced they are as good as the 'Made in England' but o.k. Alternatively, I believe most of the Verdict gauges are still British made. I've got one of these and it's been really durable. Believe they may have an economy line made god knows where, but I wouldn't touch those obviously!
If you can find a used one from any quality maker don't hesitate to get it and have it serviced!
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Are these Starrett electronic indicators actually "US made"? I'd be surprised to find that the electronics are.
So, I had the same question and I called the technical support to ask them, and
i was glad to hear that they are American made, even the electronics!
Packard V8
Well-known member
If you have to ask the question, any of the brands mentioned will serve you well.
The question you didn't ask is who makes the best bases. That's where all the accuracy and ease of use begins. Noga is my favorite.
jack vines
The question you didn't ask is who makes the best bases. That's where all the accuracy and ease of use begins. Noga is my favorite.
jack vines
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
Good point Jack. I have a nice Mitutoyo, which is stable but the Noga's I have used in the past are super solid.
RCStocker
Well-known member
When I served my tool and die apprentiship in the early 60's Interapid was the best. It has always been considered better than Starrett. Both are very good.
Mitutoyo is fantastic and just as good. B&S has been out of business for years. there is a company on the east coast that repiars them but you can buy used ones for less than a repair. I have about a dozen of them and I still like my Interapid better. It is Swiss made and very smooth. Hold onto your wallet. If you are using it for auto work go with a used Starrett form Flee Bay
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
Lol, I just about choked when I saw the price of an Interapid. If I hadnt gotten mine from a retired machinist I would be content with my Mitutoyos.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
As far as I'm concerned the discussion begins and ends with Interapid. I have some others like a Brown and Sharpe but I only use them when there is a chance on ramming them or if it isn't as precision of work.
Harley94
Well-known member
I haven't seen Federal Gage mentioned here. Excellent
Steinmetz
Well-known member
I think they're out of business. I have a few old test indicators made by Federal. Most of my recent indicators are Mitutoyo.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
I don't use battery-powered indicators. Don't like them.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I keep three mounted on Murken's bases that get used all day every day.
This is the kind of advise I was hoping to read here. I definitely need to step up to a better base.
Murphy4570
Well-known member
Same here. Every time you go to use them the damn battery is dead.
I prefer old fashioned manual stuff for that reason.
Personally I prefer Starrett brand stuff. I'm no machinist, however.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
Good point to bring up bases, my prefered magnetic base is a Starrett
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008IHTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
and my prefered on a machine is an Indicol.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006J3XTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
For use on the surface plate I use an old vernier height gauge and I used to have a home made stand that I could also turn the gauge around to inspect off the stand itseld and the back half was ground in a radius so you could also check squareness. It was something like the one below but the arm was about 12 tall.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRI...re=ItemDetail-_-ResultListing-_-SearchResults
helterskelter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2010
- Messages
- 296
Interapid. Everything else seems like a toy.
5mall5nail5
Well-known member
I use B&S TESA Mercers
For me;
Dial Test indicators --> brown and sharp best test. I have a few starrett last words, but like the B&S better.
Dial indicators --> Quite a mix depending on app. Starrett, B&S, compac, federal, some M name that I can't think of.
Indicator bases --> Noga by far.
Dial Test indicators --> brown and sharp best test. I have a few starrett last words, but like the B&S better.
Dial indicators --> Quite a mix depending on app. Starrett, B&S, compac, federal, some M name that I can't think of.
Indicator bases --> Noga by far.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Alina. For one, of the small test indicators, the Alina has .060 of travel. Having that much travel makes it easier to indicate parts in without having to be real close to begin with. Plus it is a .0005 indicator. I've had Starretts, Brown & Sharps, Federals, and a few others over the years. The Alina is by far the best I've had for what I do.