Which NOGA dial indicator base?

[catalytic]

I've decided it's time to upgrade to a decent dial indicator base. I plan on buying a NOGA, unless someone knows of a nice swiss model that can be had at ~NOGA prices. The question is, which model do you recommend?


My only stipulation is that I want the fine adjustment to be on the base. It would also be great if the knobs were metal and not plastic -- I have heard that NOGA either has switched back and forth between metal and plastic, or different models use different materials. Does anyone know?

Finally I would also appreciate any suggestions for where to purchase it (Enco?). Actually, if you have a good suggestion for a dial test indicator to go with it, I may grab a new one of those as well. I was tentatively planning to get a swiss Interapid or Bestest. I don't really need to read tenths -- I don't usually work to precision higher than 0.001"

 

[davethorik]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001V...SY165_FMwebp_QL70&keywords=noga+magnetic+base

 

[383 240z]

I bought a new Noga just under a year ago. After using it 3-4 times a day, 5 days a week, and I can say i'm not happy with it. I do have the one with the fine adjustment on the head.

I love the mag base. I love the arms. The plastic knob is fine. It feels good in my hand.
the arms are good as well. they come tight and stay put.

here are my gripes. The adjusting head works ok put has to much side to side slop for my tastes. and there is no way to tighten it. The small swivel inside the head is pretty hard to keep tight. The spring in the head is to weak to hold up my Mitutoyo digital indicator. it holds my Starrett dial indicator just fine.

I figured that the head MAY have been worn out, even though the machinist next to me had had his for 8 years and its still fine, so I ordered a new head Just that little part was $45. The whole thing was only like $100. Guess what the new head was just as loose as the first one.

On a while I bought a $20 China one from eBay, I like it. it has the 3/8" and dovetail mount, the arms are just as nice as the Noga. I just swapped the Noga base on to it. The China base worked fine, but the switch and finish are nicer on the Noga.

Your mileage may very. I wouldn't buy a Noga again, I can wear out 4-5 of the China ones and still break even Keith

 

[davethorik]

That is pretty much I think what you want. It is a regular size base not one of their minis or the huge one. But the magnet is stronger than the HUGE starrett 658 and 659 mag bases which command a premium. As far as indicators, the biggest difference between Swiss BesTest and Interapid is the Interapid's integrated swivel. Both are quality units. I recommend a horizontal style reading in .0005

 

[Monkey Milk]

I bought a new Noga just under a year ago. After using it 3-4 times a day, 5 days a week, and I can say i'm not happy with it. I do have the one with the fine adjustment on the head.

I love the mag base. I love the arms. The plastic knob is fine. It feels good in my hand.
the arms are good as well. they come tight and stay put.

here are my gripes. The adjusting head works ok put has to much side to side slop for my tastes. and there is no way to tighten it. The small swivel inside the head is pretty hard to keep tight. The spring in the head is to weak to hold up my Mitutoyo digital indicator. it holds my Starrett dial indicator just fine.

I figured that the head MAY have been worn out, even though the machinist next to me had had his for 8 years and its still fine, so I ordered a new head Just that little part was $45. The whole thing was only like $100. Guess what the new head was just as loose as the first one.

On a while I bought a $20 China one from eBay, I like it. it has the 3/8" and dovetail mount, the arms are just as nice as the Noga. I just swapped the Noga base on to it. The China base worked fine, but the switch and finish are nicer on the Noga.

Your mileage may very. I wouldn't buy a Noga again, I can wear out 4-5 of the China ones and still break even Keith

Good info Keith,

When I was going to order some holders it was going to be Noga, now I some other options.

 

[Adam.C]

I've decided it's time to upgrade to a decent dial indicator base. I plan on buying a NOGA, unless someone knows of a nice swiss model that can be had at ~NOGA prices. The question is, which model do you recommend?


My only stipulation is that I want the fine adjustment to be on the base. It would also be great if the knobs were metal and not plastic -- I have heard that NOGA either has switched back and forth between metal and plastic, or different models use different materials. Does anyone know?

Finally I would also appreciate any suggestions for where to purchase it (Enco?). Actually, if you have a good suggestion for a dial test indicator to go with it, I may grab a new one of those as well. I was tentatively planning to get a swiss Interapid or Bestest. I don't really need to read tenths -- I don't usually work to precision higher than 0.001"

Are you a machinist? or is this for automotive engine work? Either way, I would ask at practicalmachinist.com

Just a crazy suggestion from me- the fine adjusting problem goes away when you use digital indicators. I have a couple. Not sure I'd recommend then wholeheartedly. I have the swiss made Fowler models. When you hit the zero button, it gives you a second to get your hand off, then it zeros- pretty slick. Anything digital from Mitutoyo rocks in my book. I've found some killer deals on $400 indicators on eBay (for less than $100).

 

[Ign]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286797

 

[larry_g]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=12&PMKANO=393&PARTPG=INLMPA&PMCTLG=01

Enco has some in it's hot deals catalog (above) this month.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[krl80]

I agree with 383 240z. The Noga holders aren't perfect. The import ones can be suprisingly good. I've also used the Starrett version, and the arms lock well but the fine adjustment at the base makes things a bit flimsy. For test indicators, any of the brands mentioned are great; get whatever you can get the best deal on. For everyday work, I have the Fowler X-test in .0005 graduations. It has .060+ range which is really useful, and has a small dial dia. for extra clearance. It's also very durable, don't ask me how I know.
Enco has 20% off and free shipping currently to 6/19. SAVE20VIP and VIPSHIP.

 

[383 240z]

Thanks krl80, for the tip on the 20% and free shipping!!!! I made a list yesterday, looks like I'll be dropping some more cash.

For the OP and the others looking for an indicators, Enco has a great selection and with the 20% off, some great deals can be had on good indicators. I only use the digital heads when I'm making very small tool movements. When I'm only holding .001 tolerances, I use $11 Shars indicators.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHARS-1-HIG...481?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462b928991

I bought 7 of them awhile ago, I sent all of them to my inspector to get them qualified. They all passed and were certified. I have them all over the shop, I put mag backs on a few of them for direct reading. Some were fitted to holders, my Noga and the knock off. I mounted one to the cross feed and tailstock on my lathe. For the cost, you don't really care if one gets killed. I like these because the machines I run are usually dripping oil all over me when I'm setting it up. I really don't want my nice Starretts and Mit's filled with cutting oil. Keith

 

[Adam.C]

Only problem I've had with chinese indicators is the dovetails on test indicators won't fit std European holders. And the studs that come with them won't either. They are typically delivered with 6mm, and 10mm studs. Noga arms are designed for 1/4", 8mm, 3/8".

I have encountered the same problem with lug back indicators. The hole can be 10mm, which is too sloppy for a std Starrett 3/8" stud.

As far as calibrating chinese measuring devices, dial test indicators don't technically produce absolute readings. You can get accurate readings by fiddling with gage blocks and the probe/needle angle. But because they are not designed or intended to produce accurate measurements, I have found the chinese DTIs to be perfectly adequate. It's the other stuff about them that drives one to the more expensive US and European stuff. Which is frustrating.

I think 383 is talking about normal plunger type dial indicators. I have limited experience calibrating these. They can be hit or miss. But I have found them to be generally good enough, just like 383 says, for .005" tolerances. Not sure I would trust them at .001, but generally the set up won't produce that accuracy anyway (plunger has to be perfectly aligned to the direction of movement),