Dial test indicators

[QSIMDO]

I get crosseyed looking at the myriad offerings on catalog pages.

What would be a decent device for, say, under $50?

[Jack Burns]

Try here:

http://longislandindicator.com/p37.html

and scroll waaay down.

[smiller6912]

Used?

I don't know if your into eBay but, they have several "name" brands that look to be a good deal. (I always see if the seller has a refund policy).
I saw a few that I would buy (Starrett, BROWN & SHARPE, MITUTOYO, etc.)
Used can be a great deal, check out this page:

http://shop.ebay.com/__Measurement-Tools_dial-test-indicator_W0QQ_nkwZQ22dialQ20testQ20indicatorQ22QQ_dmdZ1QQ_fxdZ1

[tony ennis]

Those only are good for .25" accuracy. I read that somewhere.













/runs away laughing, my job here is done!

[QSIMDO]

Cool!

I'm only working to 1.00" anyway!



No, I tend to drop things as my hands don't function well anymore and I'd hate to drop anything of value...but then the pile of "previous worked raw material" is growing too.

eBay I guess.
Fly out of the sun and snipe a Swiss made something or other.

[BadDog]

I've bought several B&S "BestTest" DTIs for $5-10. And several Starrett DIs for around $10. The most I've paid for any of them was twice that (ready to use). For some reason that seems to be the way it works out here. Rarely see Starrett DTIs (don't like them anyway) or B&S DIs. Also got some others like Geneva, Aims, Federal, etc. for similar prices. My current "go to" favorite DTI is a $30 Interrapid 0.0001.

Some required cleaning with alcohol due to sticky (from over oiling mostly it seems) but all work well. But indicators, particularly sticky ones, can be found pretty reasonably, but it takes some spelunking...

Other than that, to just order something, the very first DTI I bought was a Fowler "set" on sale from Enco, something like $40. Style is based on the BestTest 0.0005 and it works quite well. The mag base was a complete POS, but I salvaged that by taking off the short (~5") articulated arm and mounting on a quick change holder to do setups on the lathe. Over all I'm very happy with it, though I never use the DTI any more.

[J.Ramsey]

I have a horizontal faced DTI $23 from www.CDCOtools.com checked it against my B&S best test and it gives the same readings and is smooth as silk, don't care for the white face though.

[BobWarfield]

Len, your indicator may be an area not to try to save too much. I appreciate the dangers of dropping one, but the very delicateness of their construction makes it hard to make a nice one for under $50.

eBay is your friend. If you can get to the $50-100 there are some very nice indicators available.

Best,

BW

[lazlo]

I like the B&S black dials - I get them new on Ebay for $40 - $50.

[JCHannum]

I find this type easy to read:

[lazlo]

LOL Jim -- that's awesome!