Thread: Dial Test Indicators, what are the better ones of the cheaper brands?

Hi Simon,

I have this one from CTC.

DIAL TEST INDICATOR WITH MAGNETIC BASE #C91

Works fine.

Can't get much cheaper than that.

I wouldn't lash out and buy anything better - seems pretty accurate to me.

The mount is nice and compact, which is a good thing.

The only complaint is that the shaft from the dovetail is a not so great fit in the end of the arm of the magnetic mount. Have to make sure it's done up tight.

Apart from that it's great.

It's all too easy to damage these devices, so I wouldn't pay big dollars for one. OOOps .....................there she goes

Rob

My quality ones usually sit in the cupboard until I really need them, but I have a few of those cheap ones and they work just fine for day to day work.
I think you will find the bases are miniature bases, not the full size ones.

Dave

Hi Simon,
What's your budget? I have a .002mm ctc and a .0001" mitt. The mitt is smoother and less jittery than the ctc one, but I don't know if this would be a problem in the .01mm/.0005" range. Toolexchange have some b&s best tests on his site, sorry I can't give you a link I'm on my phone.

Too much?

Tesa Tesatast Füllhebelmessgerät 0 01mm 0 4mm Swiss Made | eBay

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Too much?

Tesa Tesatast Füllhebelmessgerät 0 01mm 0 4mm Swiss Made | eBay

BT

Hi Bob,

Anything a little cheaper, in digital and maybe with free delivery too?

I bet you found that in all of 2 minutes of searching too! Bob, are you a dial indicator hound?

Why, when I do an ebay search it does not come up with this stuff? It shows listing from international sellers which gives you the impression it would capture such listings.

I will contact the seller for a shipping quote.

Cheers & thanks Bob!

Simon

I am a long way from being an authority on this topic .


I bought a cheap cdco dial, it works fine - its worth having the set of different tips

I wouldnt buy a cheap dial vernier though , the cheap ones tend to not last


these are not DTI's but maybe of some use



brand new dial indicator 0 to 1 inch in.001 quality item lathe mill milling | eBay

Digital Indicator Dial Test Guage Caliper 12.7/.01mm 0.5" #Melb | eBay

The guys at Long Island Indicator have a very extensive web site and if you go here -
027 : Long Island Indicator Service : Sales, Repairs and Spare Parts
and head down to the D section, there is a dial indicator comparison section (can also be reached by this link 014 : Dial Indicators - Brand Name Comparison)
While it is brands primarily available in the US, it does provide a pecking order of makers. There is plenty of stuff on their web site to make even Bob (BT) drool.
(Tesa, Interapid, Compac, Brown & Sharpe, etc)


Michael

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I had a look at the Long island Indicator Service;
I read this and laughed. I think they must have been referring to me when they wrote this about Compac:

Compac (Switzerland) is best suited to the inspection room because of its superior construction, durability and high cost. They're masterpieces of the craft of gage construction. A distinguishing feature is the 8 mm stem diameter. These gages are too valuable to be trusted to unskilled hands. They are often seen as components of Swiss-made machines. As of September 2005, most inch reading Compac gages have been discontinued. Compac gages are currently out of production with anticipated resumption later in 2012. This website offers full details and parts breakdowns of all available Compac indicators.


It's also funny how the Yanks really hate Chinese stuff with a passion yet the US owe China something like US $80 Trillion! Well, I find it amusing anyway!

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

It's also funny how the Yanks really hate Chinese stuff with a passion yet the US owe China something like US $80 Trillion! Well, I find it amusing anyway!

Simon

They all go on about buying US, but like a lot of guys point out there buying used US machines etc which does nothing for the economy. They would be better off melting them down and selling the metal overseas then that would help the economy, LOL

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

They would be better off melting them down and selling the metal overseas then that would help the economy, LOL

Dave

Dave

They already do this Dave.

They sell the metal overseas as bombs, rockets, tanks, missiles etc - military hardware is a major component of USA export income.

So next time you see some poor schmuck getting bombed/ missiled by some yank hardware, there's a good chance they might be getting hit with a slightly used and recycled Southbend lathe.


Rob