I'm getting ready to shorten a driveshaft for my Jeep, and need to pick up a dial indicator to make sure the end yoke is welded back with as little runout as possible. Any suggestions on one that isn't ridiculously expensive, yet it still relatively accurate? Also, should I go with a magnetic base version, or clamp base style?
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Dial indicator suggestions
- Thread starter Jason280
- Start date
I would pick up one off of ebay for cheap. Something older usa, swiss or german made that is graduated in 0.001". Actually there is a guy on here in the classifieds selling one in ohio for $50 obo IIRC. May want to check that out.
I prefer Brown and Sharpe, Interapid, Starrett, Mitutoyo. But I use them for machining. I have shortened two drive shafts so far, and used a magnetic base to check for run out. Just watch your welding heat as to not distort it when welding.
I prefer Brown and Sharpe, Interapid, Starrett, Mitutoyo. But I use them for machining. I have shortened two drive shafts so far, and used a magnetic base to check for run out. Just watch your welding heat as to not distort it when welding.
retrobuilder
Well-known member
Slowly Cut it down on a lathe which minimizes variance of runout?
Use V blocks to clamp, align and tack weld at least three equal spaces.
I'd use any magnetic indicator available. MSC Direct and Enco has lots of them for not too much $. Mine are Starrett, Mitutoyo and Brown- Sharpe
but the key is your cutting + alignment setup. Good luck!
Use V blocks to clamp, align and tack weld at least three equal spaces.
I'd use any magnetic indicator available. MSC Direct and Enco has lots of them for not too much $. Mine are Starrett, Mitutoyo and Brown- Sharpe
but the key is your cutting + alignment setup. Good luck!
KMScott
Well-known member
And do not forget to get it balanced, real important. I've had one come apart on me after I shortened it putting in a different rear end. Really tore up my undercarriage. I used a engine balancing shop to get mine done.
retrobuilder
Well-known member
Lastly if you cut it down by lathe- place in lathe and set the cutter close to side. Then you can scribe a line along the side with the bed crank to align the tail shaft back to same orientation. Perhaps minimizes any imbalance and assure better lineup. Definitely rebalance.
Do you have the lathe to hold the driveshaft so you have a way to turn it about the center while you measure it? To properly check it you have to turn it on center and if you can do that then a dial test indicator, DTI, would be the better tool to use not a dial indicator. If you do not have a lathe, how do you intend to hold the drive shaft while measuring with the indicator?
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
kunkernator
Well-known member
And do not forget to get it balanced, real important. I've had one come apart on me after I shortened it putting in a different rear end. Really tore up my undercarriage. I used a engine balancing shop to get mine done.
Yes, do not forget this! Very important. If you are cutting it yourself, that is fine, but even the most precise cut, and most perfect weld is not evenly balanced. Get it balanced, it WILL wobble, and it WILL mess something up if you do not.
As for a dial indicator, honestly just go to Harbor Freight. They are surprisingly accurate, and after doing sme research and actually getting some hands-on, there is no difference between HF and Snap-On's indicators. Short of buying a nice one from a precision instrument manufacturer, 'most' everything else comes out of the same factory in China.
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