• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

dial indicator

Share this page

blacksummerrain

blacksummerrain

Freshman Member
Offline
Can anyone recommend a decent, yet inexpensive dial indicator? I need to take a few measurements on my TR6 engine and don't want to spend a fortune. Harbor Freight sells them but I would be afraid they are junk.

Thanks.
 
Hello BSR,
I can't comment on what is available in America, but to me they are not an expensive tool as there is not much in them. You could try looking for a used one in machine tool dealers or specialised
magazines. Just ensure that the plunger runs smoothly from top to bottom. Another very useful and versatile tool is a vernier caliper gauge, which can measure inside and outside diameters and be used as a depth gauge. Care is required in their use as they are not as inherently accurate as a micrometer.

Alec
hammer.gif
 
I bought a magnetic base/stand and dial indicator on EBay for cheap money. Made in China (where else) but very good quality. First use paid for it.
A lot of these tools on Harbor freight etc. are cheaper quality than Starrett, or other made in USA tools. But then again,they were so expensive I never could afford to invest in them. At least this DIY stuff is afforable. Like a lot of people, I like to buy the home market stuff when I can, but for the few times I need some of these tools , it doesn't make sense.
Duane
 
I figure that, if I’m trying to measure down to thousandths or tenths then it’s important that I be as accurate as possible. I’ve bought a few cheap measuring devices and have never been happy with them – I’ve had measuring calipers with markings that are hard to read, micrometers that lose their accuracy, and so on. I’ve always been happy with the “name” brands like Starret, Brown & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, and so on.

This stuff is always more expensive, but good used measuring devices are available on eBay, and we have several second-hand shops that deal in tools in the area. I’d rather have a used Starret dial indicator, for example, than a new no-name. I always check newly acquired measuring devices against my “trusted” ones to make sure they’re accurate (or maybe they’re all off by the same amount?). The good stuff takes a lot more abuse without failing and generally is more satisfying to use. Machinists will tell you that you can’t make anything more accurate than you can measure – maybe rebuilding a transmission or setting up a rear end isn’t “making” something, but I think the statement applies.

[ I don’t mean to sound “preachy”, this is just a hot button. Plus the weather’s lousy and I’m stuck inside. ]

Have a happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
 
Absolutely buy the best you can afford....
My problem was that working in the car repair industry for over 30 years insured I couldn't afford to even buy the cars I was working on! Some stuff it matters, others not so much. A magnetic base for a dial indicator made offshore works EXACTLY the same as a 'spensive one. Splurge on the dial indicator if you must or a torque wrench. Wasn't all that long ago that people turned their nose up at the mention of Mitutoyo stuff. (Danged furrin' junk)I worked with "Snap On snobs" for a lot of my career, and the "cathedral of tools" sitting in the corner concept was always a source of amusement.
Rant over........ too much coffee I guess.
Happy Turkey Day
Duane
 
Back
Top