Dial indicator -advice?

[Kalvin]

I know this isn't the right forum. I did post here....
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...635#post545635
but response seems slow.

My X3 conversion is getting close to the tramming stage and I'm in need of a better quality dial indicator.

What is everyone using? Best bang for my buck? I'm probably only going to buy one and will have to make it do most of my jobs so versitlity over specialized.

Is it better to buy a higher quality used unit over new lower quality unit for the same price? There is a repairshop (http://www.precisiontoolworks.com/sales.html)
I found in Canada that sells used units.

Thank you.

[dfmiller]

I am no expert but I own mostly Mitutoyo stuff and am happy with it. Some is 30 years old and works fine. I have bought some Fowler stuff for my work and it seems to work OK. Battery life is not as good on the digital stuff as mitutoyo. But a mechanical dial is most likely what you want. I usually end up buying at KBC or T SKinner when they have a sale. I sure other will have other opinions.

Good luck

[escott76]

Your measuring tools are the standards by which the rest of your work will be produced. It's one thing to have to set things up quickly and not take the time to tram correctly, or be able to live with .003 of runout sometimes, but when it comes time to get things true, you want a good tool to do the job.
Stick with big names on stuff like this, don't go for the $40 cheapie. Everyone who's worked in this field for any length of time has their personal favorites, for most hobby work any of the better ones will be fine. Brand isn't as important as quality level.
From what I've found, the cheaper no-name units are simply not as durable as well. Drop $40 on one, and it works ok for a little while. One bump the wrong way and it's trash. My BesTest has survived countless knocks that would have killed an import copy.

[TOTALLYRC]

Used quality is better than brand new low grade stuff.

I was reading a thread were the poor guy was blaming Mach3 and everything else, when he realized he had a cyclical error is his dial indicator. He went out and bought a good quality indicator and now the indicator and the machine matches the mathamatical stepes per inch exactly. I have starret, mititoyo, and a few other brands. This is the one place where I refuse to skimp. A solid high quality measuring tool will be passed down to your grandchildren, a cheap one that is so so, will be thrown against the wall in frustion when you realise all the problems it is causing you.

[scudzuki]

I have some old federal, starret, and mitutoyo indicators that were bought used or handed down and they all still work like champs. I have a teclock 1 inch travel that I use as a beater that has held up well. I have an Interrapid last word style vertical that I only pull out for special occasions. It reeks of quality, I almost hate to use it. I think their stuff is the best (at least when I was buying 10 years ago).
Joe

[mc-motorsports]

Mahr and Interapid are top of the line! I use Interapid, won't use anything else. My first dial test indicator lasted me for 10 years until a slight of hand destroyed it. After 14 years, I'm only on my second one, and I would probably still be on my first if I didn't make a dumb mistake.
I use it every day also, I'm a machinist by trade, only job I've ever had.

[Kalvin]

Ok, I've been reading up on this.

Now I have more questions?

Dial indicator or Test indicator?

Range?

Resolution. I read 0.0005 is good. 0.0001 too much needle jumping around if you don't need that type of acuracy

Pro's or cons to imperial or metric?

I see Grizzly has a B&S Bestest Black dial for $129.95US 0.030 range, 0.0005 reolution 1" dial. The price for this locally is just under $300.Canadian. Grizzly will not ship to Canada, but I could work in a trip to go pick it up (and a few other toys ). I like the white face Bestest, it comes with extra tips and the price is $179.95. Anyone live in Bellingham want to ship this to me?

I also have found a couple local suppliers. One sells Starret, the other Mitutoyo. Prices in the $100.00 - $200.00 range.

I've got some time to research this today and it's damn cold outside.

Kalvin

[scudzuki]

Dial indicator = test indicator in my experience.

Get one graduated in the units you work in. In the US, we were threatend with converting to the metric system years ago, but it never happened. I wish it had, Imperial is so f*&king stupid! Nevertheless, I think in inches (although I can do reality checks in my head, 1 mm = .03937 and 25 to an ich, etc.) and do all my design and programming in inches.

Last word indicators tend to have limited range, .060" or less. They are used in different applications than plunger style indicators which I've seen with several inches of travel. I recommend one of each. I use the last word for tramming the head or picking up the center of a hole, in both cases whilst spun on the spindle held in an indicol style holder. The post style indicator I use has over an inch of travel, .100" per revolution, with thousandths graduations. I usually have that one on a magnetic base and use it to test travel, runout, etc.

In indicator that reads in tenths (.0001") is going to be severely overkill for a benchtop mill. The only time I needed a tenths indicator was surface grinding plastic injection molds. You will never approach that level of accuracy with a benchtop mill.

And I agree, Interapid is top shelf. Never seen a Mahr.

I'm sure glad I held onto all my tools for the 8 years since I've worked as a toolmaker. I would hate to have to replace all this stuff now that I have machines again.

And I will gladly help you purchase anything here in the states. Got a UPS store around the corner. Let me know.

Joe

[Oldboy]

Kalvin get 2" dials not 1 inch. As for imports it depends on each one you test.
Some good some bad. Best to buy local so you can try befor you buy.
If mail order? Just make sure you can return the crap.
But yes this is one place you want to invest in the best you can aford.
Top brand used ones? Again try befor you buy. Top brand NEW?
Just buy it and go use it.
I use some top brands & cheap imports. But i did have to check alot of imports to find one's that would read the same as my top brands.
In fact the tools i use at work have to be cert tested and my so called cheep Japan & China import calipers & mic's are just as good as the top brands. Used them for over ten years now.

[scudzuki]

I have never ssen a last word indicator with a 2" dial. Plunger style indicators have large dials, last words seem to be limited to 1" diameter. The Bestest model Kalvin referred to, with a range of .030", is without a doubt a last word style.

Joe

[Kalvin]

Ok, this is what I decided on.

I'll pick up Mitutoyo 2046S with .01mm graduation. Locally only $83.52 Can. Can't beat this price anywhere. (I really hope it isn't a typo.)

http://longislandindicator.com/p55.html recommends the 2776F as "Here's one of the best 1-inch dial indicators for your money" . The 2046S is the metric version of it.


Next time I make it down to the U.S. I'll stop by Grizzly and grab the Bestest (WhiteFace) 179.95US ( I think this only comes in imperial, I'll have both bases covered).

Thank you for all the input.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by scudzuki ..(although I can do reality checks in my head, 1 mm = .03937 and 25 to an ich, etc.)...

I do hope that is a typo.