Dial Indicators

[Rezeppa]

I am in need of a new dial indicator. My old Brown and Sharpe has taken an real ****. I purchased it at a pawn shop about 7 years ago and I finally had it take death drop off a Shotcrete pump catwalk. I wasn't even using but I had it in my bucket of tools. I don't know a whole lot about them and was wondering if someone had some suggestions about replacing it. I have looked at replacing it with the same one but they are pricey. If that is the best option i have no problem doing it but i don't know if i need one of the same caliber. Could someone please school me on these and explain the differences. My old one had a 1" Stroke in .005 increments I think. Thank you in advance. I am a heavy equipment class 6-8 diesel mechanic. (I use the term mechanic loosely)

 

[soulstryke]

Starrett and Mitutoyo seem highly reguarded in precision measurement.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Interapid.
Precision costs. I don't go cheap on measuring tools.

 

[cryan]

Mitutoyo all the way.

 

[PrecisionTools]

All you need to know here...
http://longislandindicator.com/index.html

 

[camaro0991]

snap on

 

[hardydson]

+1 for Interapid

 

[2jz4me]

If I were you I would definitely buy another Brown and Sharp.

 

[bsaint]

SNAP ON LOL

Interapid all the way.

 

[5mall5nail5]

I am using this B&S TESA Mercer indicator:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00500569U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[camaro0991]

SNAP ON LOL

Interapid all the way.

The snap on model i have works great?

 

[bsaint]

Yea but I mean, it obviously isn't made by them, so why not purchase whoever actually makes it for them?

 

[rsanter]

What kind of things are you doing and what precision are you needing.
You can do with a chineese HF with no problem if you don't need the precision. If you need high precision you may need a couple of different types to get done what you need.

I have some spares I could likely cut loose of a good one to you. I even have a couple of high quality digitals if you want to go that route

Bob

 

[bsaint]

Digital dial test would be difficult imo. No real sweep.

 

[Glacial_Speed]

What kind of things are you doing and what precision are you needing.

That. And if rsanter's offer doesn't work for you, there's always ebay. It's a total crapshoot, but ebay can get you some deals.....if it's not broken. I got a nice old Federal for less than $20.

 

[camaro0991]

Yea but I mean, it obviously isn't made by them, so why not purchase whoever actually makes it for them?

Oh if i hadnt gotten an ebay deal on it i would have. I was just saying, the quality on it is pretty good.

 

[water-works]

Mitutoyo all the way.

This. I have one and it's one of the best tools I have. Just got to keep care of it. Brown & Sharp and Starrett are also stellar and top notch.

 

[larry_g]

There are a few here that are recommending Interapid. They are tops for dial TEST indicators. Others make dial indicators. There is a difference in a dial indicator and a dial test indicator. Main thing being that a DTI is for seeing some change but not for making absolute measurements. Bob asked what you are doing with the indicator and that answer makes it important in what type of indicator you select and if you may need more than one.

lg
no neat sig line

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Linh]

Good point larry. As far as i know interapid doesnt make dial indicators.

 

[RAYJAY]

snap on /fowler dial indicator

fixed it for you ......lol

to the OP

we use only starrett where i work at, you keep it in a bucket with all of your tools


no case for storage?

depends on what tolerances your looking for we do need more info to help you out but look on crags list, lost of machine tool in you local area,

Jeff

 

[cookefab]

All you need to know here...
http://longislandindicator.com/index.html

^^^this^^^

Swiss, expensive....no other viable choice....

 

[theknurl]

Tesa......Swiss made

they make the Brown & Sharp dial indicators, test indicators and calipers

i have some Starretts but a 'Last Word' test indicator is a PITA to use compared to an old Ideal

 

[y20dth]

if you are going to keep it in a bucket, don't bother buying one.

 

[lisiecki1]

if you are going to keep it in a bucket, don't bother buying one.

+1

Not to be an ***, but if you can get away with keeping a precision instrument in a bucket why not just replace it with a tape measure?

 

[metaldad]

I use Starrett

 

[RAYJAY]

I use Starrett

wow a very large Thomas coupling .... and the picture is rather large too ....

same indicators we use, we do how ever have some cheap stuff from msc to tram our roller with, not worth it to use the good one for that ..............

 

[claymont]

As somebody has already said, if it lives in a bucket with other mechanics tools, the ones that are being recommended will be a waste money I've bought a couple of nice Fowlers on Ebay for around $25 shipped(1" stroke, .001" accuracy).

 

[Rezeppa]

Ok I work on Shotcrete pumps. Most frequently the Allentown MR3300.

It is key to make sure the cutting ring and wear plate are in good tolerances when service is due. Sorry the picture isn't better for the terms of this but Im trying to paint an accurate picture for you. In that picture the back remixer hopper has been removed for Material cylinder replacement. There is a swinging (S-Tube) that switches between two cylinders and I have to check wear on the two contacting services. I had my Dial Indicator in a case, in my bucket of tools to check tolerances of the cutting ring. When I then put them on the catwalk for mixer service later in the day when someone in between jumped up and started the pump dropping the bucket of tools. I have to check the wear plate and ring within .005 or better to make sure it's within tolerances. I also use it for valve work and other basic "mechanic" type jobs. I am not a machinist.

 

[alan camby]

I use Starrett

I thought everyone was using lasers for shaft alignment now. Takes the thinking out of the job.
Computer says...... soft foot here, put this shim here.

 

[RAYJAY]

I thought everyone was using lasers for shaft alignment now. Takes the thinking out of the job.
Computer says...... soft foot here, put this shim here.

we do too just did not want to rub it in ..... its surprisings when you tell the young n that you used to pour babbit for bearings .....

 

[metaldad]

we do too just did not want to rub it in ..... its surprisings when you tell the young n that you used to pour babbit for bearings .....

And scrape it to tolerance.

 

[2007markb]

I guess it depends on how much you use it. IMO, if you dont use it very often, travers tools offers a cheap one, comes in a pack of three. If youre going to use it a lot, mitutoyo, interapid or starett

 

[RAYJAY]

And scrape it to tolerance.

Prussian Blue any one .............


or in the printing field we just use blue ink

used to make our scrapers from old files

 

[TheGrooveking]

Prussian Blue any one .............


or in the printing field we just use blue ink

used to make our scrapers from old files

+1 brings back memories working on old Miehle's. I'd remind both getting the old Brown & Sharpe repaired and getting another decent indicator so you have a back up, any tool worth owning is worth owning two of IMO.

TheGrooveking

 

[RAYJAY]

+1 brings back memories working on old Miehle's. I'd remind both getting the old Brown & Sharpe repaired and getting another decent indicator so you have a back up, any tool worth owning is worth owning two of IMO.

TheGrooveking

never worked or printed on flat beds was alway rotary double wide first press i worked on was a r hoe double wide for cyl press all babbitt and brass not roller bearing to save your ***....... of course it ran from the early 1900 to 1986 .....

 

[Tucko]

Starrett and Mitutoyo seem highly reguarded in precision measurement.

+1, Starrett is a personal favorite.

 

[cookefab]

+1, Starrett is a personal favorite.

Starrett's Last Word indicators have partially plastic inners, are prohibitively expensive to maintain, much less repair...the only thing that they've got going for them is COO...
(in a very few instances)

If you're going to spend that much, just buy something Swiss made...

FWIW, I once stoicly stood behind Starrett...and then I learned...

 

[RM209]

If you've got some flexibility and a bit of patience, you can often pick up machinist tools on Craigslist for pennies on the dollar. Many times the tools are in near-perfect condition.

RM209

 

[soulstryke]

we do too just did not want to rub it in ..... its surprisings when you tell the young n that you used to pour babbit for bearings .....

you the same old dood scooping out grease with a spoon?

 

[ToocoolZ28]

I build a lot of high perf rearends, ring and pinion, bearings, posi units, seals and the like. I have a Starrett but it is pretty old, I recently bought a cheapy chinese dial indicator just in case (I hate chinese tools, I know "tool snob") anyway, the chinese indicator gives me the same readings as the Starrett so I usually use the cheap one now.