Still Looking For The Right Indicator

projectnut

projectnut

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This morning I went to the shop for a couple quick little jobs. I put a 4 jaw chuck on the Sheldon lathe, chucked up a piece of stock and went looking for my favorite dial indicator. I know it's in one of those "special places" but so far I haven't found which one. I did however find a number of other indicators that were also in special places. These came from about half a dozen different shelves, benches, and drawers. Now that I've got this many together I'll at least put them all on the same shelf.

I'm tired of looking around, so for today I'll use one of these. I'm sure I'll eventually find the one I'm looking for, and maybe a few more when the search continues.

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MrWhoopee said:
Nice collection. How many men working in your shop?

Just order another one of that favorite indicator. The missing one will magically turn up.
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I'm the only one in the shop. However the indicators have been acquired since about 1980. The earlier ones have a resolution of .001". That was good enough for the time period. Those acquired a few years later have an .0005 resolution. The latest imperial ones have a .0001" resolution. The most recent are metric with resolutions of .005mm, .0005mm, and .0001mm. I think I'm pretty well covered unless we change to another measurement system in the near future.

There was a time when I would have ordered another indicator. After having tools reappear only days after they were just replaced I made myself a new rule. That rule is to wait at least 1 month before ordering a replacement. If experience holds true the missing indicator will miraculously reappear in an all too obvious place within a week or so.

As for the table it's just a piece of 3/4" plywood. It's an oversize table on a radial arm saw. The saw was used extensively in the past for ripping large panels. At one time the table with all the extensions was 4'x 8'. I don't do anything that large anymore so the extensions are long gone, but the larger permanent table is still intact.
 
Which indicator(s) do you like the most?
 
Currently in the mix are Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, Federal, Interapid, ProCheck, and even 1 with no identification. They all work equally well and all are accurate. The most used are the Mitutoyo's, Federal's, and the B&S. That's more a function of their locations rather than a brand preference. There are Federals and Mitutoyo's at the horizontal and vertical mills. There are Federal's, a ProCheck, and B&S at one lathe, and the no name and a Federal at another lathe. The rest are on the shelf where they're less likely to get damaged.

Price wise the Federals have been the least expensive. For some reason I seem to acquire more of them than any other brand. They seem to have been more readily available in different configurations and resolutions when I needed them. Keep in mind most are now in the neighborhood of 30years old. I have no idea if those made today are as accurate or well built.

I think I might have enough to squeak by. That is of course making the assumption I'll find my favorite, and a few more along the way. If I start to run short, or find I can't find the one I'm looking for I'll be sure to drop you a line.
 
If you own 22, and can’t find the right one, I’m in trouble
 
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