<sigh> One more DTI question

[Fasttrack]

Alright, so I've made up my mind to buy either a BestTest white dial indicator or a Interapid indicator. I'm going to list the differences between the two and maybe you guys can weigh in on each difference and let me know how important or unimportant they are.

BestTest:
1" or 1.5" dial
Certificate of accuracy and traceability
Not advertised as having jeweled or carbide ball bearings
Comes with accessories
.008" measuring range

Interapid:
1.5" dial
Not advertised as having a certificate of accuracy and traceability
Does have jeweled and carbide ball bearings
No accessories
.016" measuring range

So, what do you guys think? I like that the interapid explicitly says it has jeweled bearings and a ball bearing for the lever and I also like that it has twice the measuring range as the BestTest. The only things I don't like about the interapid is the larger dial and the absence? of a certificate of accuracy. I don't suppose that matters too much, but the larger dial might get in the way with some set-ups. How often have you found that a 1.5" dial is too big?

Thanks!

[A.K. Boomer]

Ummm, you forgot the most important thing, whats the price on each?

[38_Cal]

Since you're a young pup with good eyes, the smaller dial won't make any real difference...I've found myself using my OptiVisor much more frequently than in the past. Wouldn't even consider using my vernier calipers without it! I do like the idea of a larger measuring range as well as the larger dial on the Interapid. If it were me, that's the way I probably would go. Accessories can always be had.

David
Montezuma, IA

[lane]

I like the small dial better You can get in tighter places . They both have jeweled bearings and ball bearings for the leaver. Certificate of accuracy what the H--- is that going to do . It works are it dont. B& S is cheaper . You must be after a tenth indicator .008 -.016 movement More use out of a thousand indicator .030 and .060 range.

[SGW]

www.longislandindicator.com has some information about relative quality, reliability, repairability, of various brands.

[Virgil Johnson]

Having used both B&S and Interapid I prefer the B&S. Unless you are doing gage work the .0001 indicator is overkill. A .0005 indicator is much more user friendly for average work.I have both and only use the .0001 indicator 5-10% of the time and this was in a job shop.

[Fasttrack]

AK - the price is actually about the same because the Interapid is on sale right now.

I do already have a .0005 DI and I'd like something more precise. I had even thought about the .00005 but I decided that was just too ridiculous

Thanks for all the tips! Keep 'em coming.

[A.K. Boomer]

Id get the interapid then, even if you forget and leave it on the mill spindle the first day in and it gets slammed into the wall and disintegrates you can still always tell your kids that you once owned one.

Before you go the .00005" you might want to upgrade your machinery ;>}

[BadDog]

Going that fine will sacrifice too much range. I've grown to like the large dial 0.0001 for most things, but 0.0005 is hard to beat as a general purpose "do it all" range. I wouldn't turn my back on either, but I started with an 0.0005 and never had a complaint. I would be much more concerned about getting a good readable dial (color, size, clear crystal), dovetails (no classic Last Word or the like), jeweled movement, and an appropriate sized point based on the work intended.

One reminder, if you go Interrapid, you may run into the same problem I did when you have (and you will) more than one. If they are not all Interrapid, and if you are like me, it will drive you nuts figuring out which way the needle deviation is telling you it's moving. Interrapid is backwards to every other DTI I have. VERY nice DTI for sure, but for that reason alone, I generally avoid using it. If it were not for the double range, I probably would never use it (and sell it).

[oldtiffie]

I like the small dial better You can get in tighter places . They both have jeweled bearings and ball bearings for the leaver. Certificate of accuracy what the H--- is that going to do . It works are it dont. B& S is cheaper . You must be after a tenth indicator .008 -.016 movement More use out of a thousand indicator .030 and .060 range.

Agree absolutely Lane.

"Cheapies":
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Eco...ial-Indicators

"Not bad at all":
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pro...stockCode=Q216

http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pro...stockCode=Q214

not bad:
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Dial-Test-Indicators

a real "goodie":
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pro...stockCode=Q223

http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pro...stockCode=Q219

My TDI has a range of +/- 0.8mm ("30 thou") calibrated at 0.01mm ("4 tenths") and so meets my every need.

I can easily "halve" the graduations (to 0.005mm ~ "2 tenths) or "quarter" them (0.0025mm ~ "1 tenth").

They are more than good enough to do the job - and keep doing it. They are rugged enough to take most "mishaps" and "keep going" and are cheap enough to "chuck ands replace" if needs be (not very often at all). I keep one as a "spare" or "for good".

So, in my opinion Lane has it dead right.

Plenty of "spares".
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Dia...dicator-Spares