Recommended Dial Indicators

Hi Guys - next beginners question. Having found out what wigglers do - I'm now in the market to buy a metric dial test indicator to fit the "Offset Indicator Holder" wiggler. I've looked on ebay, etc. but not sure whether all (or any) of the dial indicators shown will attach to the "holder" (5mm diameter with adjacent 4mm through-hole). Any recommendations would be appreciated - are the indicators from Asia any good? Or should I just go to Chronos or RGT tools?

Colin,

Have a look at these.

Cheap copies are probably available, but a Verdict one should last a lifetime.

Sorry, can't see a model number on mine, but it's a kit in a small grey plastic box.

MichaelG.

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G&M have several 'pre-loved' ones listed.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/01/2015 13:33:18

Don't buy cheap when it comes to indicators. This is good reading on the subject. An American repair company that doesn't even reccomend American made indicators!

http://longislandindicator.com

The best deal I've seen on new ones in the UK are Mahr (German) if you'd care to google for a UK stockist, expect to pay around £70.00.

I added to my collection with a used Compac from eBay for about £15.00 so that's an option. If you really must go for a cheap one then you can get them from HK for about £7.50 inc postage ...

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PostScript: Here is the Starrett equivalent ...

Interesting to see the name 'Last Word' [which is a near synonym for 'Verdict']

... shades of Microsoft Explorer vs Apple Safari.

... I wonder who was "paying homage" to whom ?

MichaelG.

You will probably find the two companies and others buy in from the same Asia suppliers that are advertising on fleBay having said that I've had so very good buys on fleBay from Asia if you are will to wait about 4 weeks for delivery

It depends on your requirements but I use a cheap far eastern dial gauge for everyday use and rarely need anything better. When I do need more sensitivity I dig out my old Compac Genève DTI which has 0.0001" readings and cost me the grand sum of 50p at an autojumble about 40 years ago. Must see if I can get a new glass for it as it has gone yellow with time.

Russell

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Brian,

Do you have any evidence to support that ?

If so; then I will revise my original recommendation to vintage Verdict [made in England].

MichaelG.

He's probably thinking of Starrett China (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. which makes things like their gauge blocks.

Or perhaps he's thinking of this:

"Low Cost quality Gauges Website Launched

Verdict Gauge has now launched a new website, showing cheap quality gauges at competitive prices.

Why not check the website and see if you can pick up a bargain."

Sign of teh times, I'm afraid!

Neil

I think Neal answered you question Michael sober for instance are an Asia manufacturer,most parts marked Myford are made there theses days. If I am wrong I hold my hands up but this is my understanding. Sorry about the typeos in early post dam predictive text

Neil

I'd love to check out the "Low cost quality gauges website" - but I can't find it! Any idea of the URL? Clicking the "link" on the Verdict site just brings up a notice that the "Low cost..." site has been launched - not a lot of help really.

Keith

Had the same problem Keith ,R.S Components have a good range of gauges at all prices hi to low just google RS Com.

Thank you Brian,

I'll check out RS - glad to hear that it's not just me that couldn't find the new Verdict site.

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Cheers Brian,

... and I see what you mean about the predictive text

sober should, I presume, read SOBA

MichaelG.

Depends on how soba I am lol

Colin

I bought one of the cheap Chinese important dial gauges from a here today gone tomorrow eBay vendor – it’s held by a dovetail that screws onto either a supplied 8 mm or 6 mm spigot.

I figured that as a beginner there was a good chance I might break the thing by accidently extending it further that it’s maximum range of travel, and that’s a lot easier to swallow if you’ve paid £15 as opposed to £70. It’s certainly proved be more accurate than my ability, but unfortunately yesterday the dovetail mount broke (i.e. fell apart!) making it useless. I have just ordered the marginally more expensive DTI gauge made by Silverline and from Amazon. Still relatively cheap, but hopefully more robust but still not a disaster if I break it. We shall see when it arrives …..

(Does anybody new where I can get a spare dovetail mount from ?)

David

Edited By David Cambridge on 02/02/2015 19:56:15

From personal experience I prefer Compac [Swiss] or Mitutoyo [Japanese] but they are expensive and I once wrote off a £100 plus Compac after 2 weeks, totally my own fault & the previous one had lasted 20 years.

At the moment I use an old Verdict or Compac for everyday use, and a nice Mitutoyo for best.

As always you get what you pay for.

Tony

Its not so much about accuracy in many cases when using a DTI but repeatability. If a cheap (or even a worn premium brand) sticks without you realising it then it may seriously affect what you're doing. I normally only work in metric but an Imperial gauge would work just as well for me because I'm not actually taking any notice of the measurement as such. As long as you feel you can trust it then maybe a cheap one will be fine?!

That's presumably why they are called indicators?

Andrew

Is there a particular reason that it has to fit the Offset indicator Holder ? Not sure of quality these days, but the Verdict indicators used to be very good at having the stylis aligned to the centre of the holding shank. A alot more money but a very good indicators are the ones from Interrapid, also very good for the stylis being aligned to the holding shank. I have the Verdict metrinch 0.01mm 0.005 inch, and an Interapid .0001 inch. I also have the Mitytoyo .001mm but it has the dovetail attachments . I find that the dove tail does not align all that well to the stylis centre line , so I use it as a comparator or with another adjustable indicator holder.

Neil L

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Good point, Andew

"Many a true word spoken in jest"

I stand to be corrected, but; I believe that the main distinguishing feature of a Test Indicator is that it has no fixed point of reference; and cannot therefore be classed as a Gauge.

As I'm sure you realise [but others on this forum may not]: The ideal way of using the instrument is to adjust "whatever" until the Indicator reads the same value as it did for "the other thing".

It is useful, but not essential, for the markings to be accurately 'equal interval'; because then [with suitable attention to detail], the instrument can be adapted for use as a gauge.

MichaelG.