Need some input on a few tools I'm looking to get

[Djstorm100]

I need the following tools and looking for a brand thats cost effective and accurate.

Dial indicator
Caliper (digital or non)

Also looking to get:
air hammer
Whats the better one to get, one that has longer stroke and less hits per minute or one that has short but high strokes per minute

air hose reel
Been looking at northern tool's air reels.

 

[Fueler]

I will address the measuring tools since I work in tenths of a thou everyday.
1 thing to understand is that calipers cannot be relied on for an accurate measurement particularly on an ID measurement. Great for general measuring though. Just don't assume that if it says .623 it really is. This is when you get a good micrometer out to verify.

As far as brand it will not matter for either that or the dial indicator. Even HF digital stuff will fit the bill. Calipers and general use 1" travel indicators are considered throwaways here since they are so cheap.
However, higher end and more accurate tools are treated with mucho care and love.

 

[milner351]

IMHO you can't loose with IR air tools.

I have imported mechanical digital micrometer set a 6 inch set in a protective wooden box, got them from a machine shop supply seller on ebay. The mechanical digital read out is a great option for those of us that don't read a vernier scale daily. I would also recommend a dial bore gauge if you do lots of engine rebuilding - I measure all my clearances that way now - I no longer have to blindly trust the machine shop.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I like CP air tools (that is Chicago Pneumatics NOT Central Pneumatics).

In general, short barrel/stroke air hammers don't hit a hard as medium of long stroke. A CP7110 is better than a CP711. If you need a real HEAVY DUTY hammer, you need a CP717, but this does not use the "standard" .401 shank tools.

 

[Djstorm100]

So HF stuff is ok to get to use for motor/transmission building?

 

[Big N8]

Mitutoyo for the caliper.
dial indicator can be whatever is cheap from Mcmaster Carr.

 

[Addrock]

On the caliper, I'd suggest Mitutoyo (digital). Digital has one distinct advantage over dial or vernier you can zero the display at the non-zero point (handy for depth step differentials). If you need a caliper larger than 0-12 you may want a vernier.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C0ZPNO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Average Joe is wasting money on expensive digital calipers. I've seen the calibration room at work check all kinds and the cheap Chinese ones check just as good as the expensive Japanese or US ones. They may not be as durable for everyday use, but as I noted, for the average Joe using one once or twice a week, there is no real difference.

Air hammers, depends on what you want to do. If you want real control-ability, get a aircraft rivet gun, they are smooth and controllable. If you just want to rip exhaust pipe, de-head 55 gal drums, and cut ball joint rivets, any decent air hammer will do. Again, for the average Joe using one or occasion and not every day, practically anything will work well.

Hose reels, unless you are buying a Cox or Reelcraft, just get the cheapest of the Chinese ones you can find, I think they are all clones of the Cox and must all be made in the same factory in China.

Charles

 

[wornoutoldman]

Here is your hammer http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96102 I've got one it. It can tear some *#@% up!

 

[dansmurf]

I will second the hf digital caliper. I have used mine for about 8 years now. I check it with my better calipers every so often and it always checks out ok.

 

[Fueler]

So HF stuff is ok to get to use for motor/transmission building?

Not sure if the question is aimed at me but reread exactly what I said about accuracy. You decide what level of tool can be used based on the accuracy required.

 

[kmacht]

Accuracy isn't everything when it comes to tools. Repeatability and Reproducibility are just as important. Repeatability is the ability for a tool when measuring the same part over and over again to always come up with the same reading. Reproducibility is the ability for multiple people using that same micrometer to come up with the same measurement between themselves. Do a search on gage R&R and you will see some really good examples of gage tools that are supposed to be super accurate being next to useless. The more "accurate" the gage is the less it will depend on the ability of the user to use it. If you want to see a real world example, do a gage R&R on a micrometer vs a dial caliper. Once you see those results you'll never use that dial caliper again for any sort of accurate work.

Keith

 

[Djstorm100]

Accuracy isn't everything when it comes to tools. Repeatability and Reproducibility are just as important. Repeatability is the ability for a tool when measuring the same part over and over again to always come up with the same reading. Reproducibility is the ability for multiple people using that same micrometer to come up with the same measurement between themselves. Do a search on gage R&R and you will see some really good examples of gage tools that are supposed to be super accurate being next to useless. The more "accurate" the gage is the less it will depend on the ability of the user to use it. If you want to see a real world example, do a gage R&R on a micrometer vs a dial caliper. Once you see those results you'll never use that dial caliper again for any sort of accurate work.

Keith

gage R and R? sry im a newbe

 

[Djstorm100]

Not sure if the question is aimed at me but reread exactly what I said about accuracy. You decide what level of tool can be used based on the accuracy required.

Just making sure I'm understanding what you are saying that all.

I'll be using it to check end play and clearance when rebuilding my c4 trans then moving on to motors. I'm 23 and trying to learn all I can. I absolutely hate having to buy tools over again because I didn't do my research the first time around.

 

[little d]

If your just checking stuff like end play, run out, ect.... with several thousands of tolerance then, ya your good with the cheaper stuff. If your working within +0 to -0.0005, ya better get the good stuff.

 

[kmacht]

gage R and R? sry im a newbe

Gage R&R stands for Repeatabliltiy and Reproucability. Sorry, thought I clarified that in my post. If you do some reading on it, don't get hung up on the math that they start talking about. There are some simple and free excel spreadsheets that you can use to do all the math for you.

Keith