Does it work better than a ruler? You know, a small steel scale captured between the workpiece and the cutting tip. If it's vertical, the tip is on center. Tipped away, too high, tipped towards you, too low. I love tools, but is it any better than a simple 150mm scale?
That is how I was taught to set the tool height but to tip your ruler back - towards you a degree or 2- so your tool was a hair low.
What needs doing to them?a box full of used dial indicators for basically no money.
I am in search of Starrett & Federal technical manuals so that I can look up assembly/disassembly procedures, lubrication info, etc
I would prefer not to rely upon shade tree mechanic youtube video advice where people say things like "use lighter fluid" and "bend the stem in your vise"
Bending the stem in a vise does sound sketchy. OTOH, lighter fluid is an outstanding solvent for cleaning precision devices. It’s an effective degreaser and leaves no residue once the item is clean. I believe it’s a naphtha based blend.a box full of used dial indicators for basically no money.
I am in search of Starrett & Federal technical manuals so that I can look up assembly/disassembly procedures, lubrication info, etc
I would prefer not to rely upon shade tree mechanic youtube video advice where people say things like "use lighter fluid" and "bend the stem in your vise"
a box full of used dial indicators for basically no money.
I am in search of Starrett & Federal technical manuals so that I can look up assembly/disassembly procedures, lubrication info, etc
I would prefer not to rely upon shade tree mechanic youtube video advice where people say things like "use lighter fluid" and "bend the stem in your vise"
And loupes and microscopes. 
