Federal LT-9 Test Indicator

[ChandlerJPerry]

Looking around on the internet, information on Federal indicators isn't as readily available as some other big names. I recently won this example from an eBay auction for $20.



Honestly, I'm ok with Federal flying under the radar if it means I can get deals like this . This one is in great shape. The movement is very smooth and it has a large face similar to a BesTest at considerably less cost. The only thing that was wrong with this indicator was that the crystal had slightly lifted out of the bezel.



I put a blue shop towel on my bench, laid the indicator crystal facing down, and applied pressure to the bezel while rolling around the edge of the crystal, and it snapped right back in.



I would definitely consider this a brand worth keeping an eye out for, at least based on this example it seems like high quality American made metrology equipment. I also noticed a few that said they originated from Switzerland on the dial face while browsing eBay.

 

[pontiac428]

Federal is good stuff. I don't have any, but there are plenty of gunsmiths that swear by them for chambering, and that's a picky (if not superstitious) bunch. If the "crystal" lifts out on you again, I've had luck with using a heat gun to restore it's bowled shape, it works with celluloid acetate and other older tech plastics.

 

[benmychree]

Federal, B&S BesTest, Providence R.I, Switzerland ??? One wonders if the Swiss make both of them?

 

[MikeInOr]

I found these Federal gauges (In my fathers tool chest). They had a hard life (Stanley/Proto product engineering division) and still work perfectly for what I use them for!

 

[GT-6 Racer]

Those old crystals can be nicely cleaned up with some Plexus. It’s hard to find but amazing stuff. Made to clean canopies on fighter planes, works fabulous on lenses, face shields and motorcycle helmet shields any plastic.

 

[snoopdog]

Federal is good stuff, IMO.

 

[ChandlerJPerry]

Those old crystals can be nicely cleaned up with some Plexus. It’s hard to find but amazing stuff. Made to clean canopies on fighter planes, works fabulous on lenses, face shields and motorcycle helmet shields any plastic.

I don't have any Plexus, however I do have a can of this stuff for my motorcycle helmet.



It seems to be the same idea as the Plexus, and it does work well on my helmet visor so I'll have to try it out. Thanks for the idea!

 

[projectnut]

I've always had good luck with Federal indicators. Over the years I've collected well over 2 dozen different types and styles of indicators, most of them Being Federal. There was quite a discussion a few years ago on another board about the price and quality of indicators. The vast majority preferred Federal because of the price and level of accuracy. No one disparaged other name brands, but many avoided them due to the cost.

My collection is made up of both imperial and metric units. The imperials measure as fine as .0001" while the metrics go down to .002mm. It seems like every measuring tool I've bought in the last few years comes with a Federal indicator. Here are a few pictures:

 

[IHinIN]

Mothers aluminum polish also works on the crystals. I had my doubts until I tried it.

 

[Choiliefan]

I like Federal gages a lot and have several.
Here's my Dumore Micro Drill fitted with two of them on the X&Y axis: