Is this dial indicator up to tramming the mill head and squaring the vise

[chiroone]

I saw this dial indicator on eBay and I’m wondering if it would be adequate for tamming the head of the PM 835 as well as squaring a vice

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Turlen-Hor...d=112537587229&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[higgite]

I sure hope it's adequate because it's very similar to the one I used to check spindle runout. I double checked mine later with a digital DTI and it confirmed my eyeball reading of .0003" on the analog DTI. I use whichever is more handy when I need to tram my vise, but sort of prefer the analog because I find it easier to track when bumping the vise into tram. ymmv

Tom

Edit:

.... I’m wondering if it would be adequate for tamming the head of the PM 835 as well as squaring a vice

I guess I should clarify, my mill isn't a PM835, if that matters.

 

[Ray C]

Or you can get the Shars brand which cost about 30% less than the Turlen. I've got about 6 Shars indicators in half-thou and tenths and they're about 7 years old and still going strong.


EDIT: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SHARS-030-...360605?hash=item51ba90281d:g:Lb0AAOSw28pZwYLQ

Ray

 

[middle.road]

Go with what Ray sez, and shop around for one.
Member Jack has some items for sale down in the classifieds section that might suit you.
I haven't gone through his list real carefully because I'll just get into trouble doing so.

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/lots-of-tools-for-sale.65719/

 

[Wreck™Wreck]

More than adequate, you are only measuring the difference not an actual size, many hobbyist tool collectors will tell you that only a Swiss made .0001" tool is suitable for such an application, don't believe the hype. If you are terribly concerned about it one may buy an indicator that costs as much as the machine you have, wouldn't that be special.

 

[Ray C]

BTW: It would not surprise me one bit, if the Turlen brand is just a re-packaged version that Shars sells. 50 years ago, production of fine instruments was limited to a handful of companies. Times have changed and precision indicators are mass produced with excellent results.

Upon thinking about it, my older Shars indicators are pushing 10 years old. When it finally bites the dust, it will get an unceremonious toss into the recycling junk pile.

Ray

 

[benmychree]

I'm still using my Starrett Last Word indicator that I bought over 50 years ago and use quite frequently; it aint Swiss, and it aint Chinese, and I have yet to toss it in the junk, it should literally last my lifetime and perhaps several other people's lives as well.

 

[dlane]

DTI , Traming

 

[bluechips]

I've owned my Starrett last word 40 yrs. and I use it regularly. I bought it used...

 

[chiroone]

I think I will go with the Shars, I am already in deeper than I planned with the mill. When I first started looking, I was figuring on the PM 727, and then of course it evolved into the PM 835. So if I can save a few bucks and still get good results, I think I’ll just go with the Shars. I still have plenty of opportunity to spend much more money on tooling