Thread: What Brand of Dial Indicator?

Originally Posted by yvan

I would have thought that a mid-range dial would do the trick but, which brand(s)? Should I also go digital?

If that's the only job you are going to use it for, I wouldn't be lashing out. However $9.95 will get you rubbish. You don't need high precision to set a TS blade. I use an analog DI for that job. Remember to mark the blade and rotate it forward and back so you are measuring the same spot on the blade.

If your wanting brands Mitutoyo is very well respected, tho be careful of cheap knock offs,

You should be able to find one under $150 on the internet shopping bizarre.

Cheers Matt.

These are not dial indicators but back in 2018 I tested a bunch of callipers see Testing few Mics and callipers
For most measurements the budget callipers performed about the same as the more expensive ones.
Due to poor quality control, budget end devices usually have a greater probably of being duds but this is less likely for something simple like a dial indicator which are used for relative measurements.

Everything digital I have bought at the low budget end of the scale has died far sooner than later. This includes several sets of callipers, several digital angle finders, a pressure gauge, and a dial indicator. One thing I've noticed is there's very little built into them by way of ruggedising, so when they are handled inappropriately they don't like it. My experience is that this does not apply as much to mechanical measuring devices like dial indicators. My 2, 12 year old, $25, Hare and Forbes mechanical dial indicators (used mainly for MW) are are still working fine. More expensive stuff comes into its own when they need to be used often and in harsh conditions when wear becomes a real consideration.

One other point is a Dial indicator, can be used for other tests in a Wood work environment, such has checking a drill press for for run out,setting knives in a thicknesser, an there’s probably other situations but my brain an fingers are not working well today,


Cheers Matt.

Don't buy new Mitutoyo anything from Ebay or other online sellers, used ones yes but not new ones as 99.8% of them are fakes. I think it is the most counterfeited brand in the world IIRC.

Most of my dial indicators, micrometers and callipers are Shahe brand from Aliexpress.
Good quality and reasonably priced.

I am a bit late to the thread here…

Most dial indicators are analogue for a reason. You don’t care about the absolute distance to the saw blade, you only care that A=B. The moving needle is way more intuitive and reveals runout instantly.

I don’t think that I ever paid more than $50 for a used indicator and mine are all in great shape. Other great brands are Tesa, Mahr, and anything else from Europe.