Dial Indicators

["Mike"]

The dail indicators that I have are passed down from my dad and are really old but up until recently, worked fine. One has developed a sticking condition that pi$$es me off so I though I might replace it. They have a magnetic bass dial that is NOT digital but a nice big analog dial at Farm and Home Supply, of all freaking places. Nice big mag base and an almost(or IS) 2 inch dial that my old eyes can see pretty good. Of course, it's made in Chinna, like everything else. Anybody tried one or have any history? I'm not broke but don't do this for a living(hence the term HOBBYIST) so I'm figuring it would be OK for the light user. It's got at LEAST an inch and a half travel so it will certainly do what I need it to. Opinions? Mike. By the way, it's only $29.97.

 

[Tom Griffin]

Why not clean and lube the indicator you already have? Unless it's been abused, sticking is normally caused by dirt and lack of lubrication. I'd take an old American made indicator over a Chinese import any day. If you have the need for one with 1 1/2" travel, the import is an inexpensive way to get there but you may want to verify its accuracy before depending on it.

Tom

 

[flatbelter]

I have a cheap Chinese dial indicator (1" travel) and mag base that works pretty good, after loc-tite-ing the threads.

I was using it only to dial in my 4-jaw, but have been using it to DRO the lathe feed. It works fine and lets me hit desired dims with ease. (make sure it's set square to travel direction.)

The one I got was from Harbor freight about $22 for gauge and base (IIRC). I'm planning to pick up another one when I get the chance. You might be able to get a nice older American one off flea-bay reasonable too.

Cleaning and lubing may also bring your other one back from the dead too.

Good luck

 

[goldenchips2]

PLEASE DO NOT USE WD-40 to lube precision instruments.....
Get 3 in 1 at a minimum,
go starrett oil aerosol for best results
Its costly, but cheaper than having to un-gum a sticking precision indicator....

 

["Mike"]

I have actually tried to clean and lube it but it still sticks a little. I basically only use it for centering work in the jaws since my chuck is non centering(4 jaw) but I just happened to see this one and it looked pretty good. May have to look at HF too. Going there next week anyway. Thanks. Mike.

 

[110octane]

The one thing I have learned about magnetic bases is to watch for the "pull" rating. This applies to the good ol' USA (and European-rare but still out there) as well as the Asian rip offs. Sometimes the lower rated pull units are more expensive than the higher rated (????). I prefer the ones rated more than 30#. I have an old Federal dial indicator that reads in tenths. It was salvaged from a concrete testing lab where it was used to measure deflection in cylinders being compressed to failure. It was buried in concrete dust! I got it cleaned up and it works, I just have to clean it frequently or it still sticks. LPS (I think it's LPS3) is acceptable where as WD40 is not. The Starrett aerosol is excellent.
Good luck, Geoff