After a new dial indicator

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Just an update re the Starritte guage, I got my refund this afternoon.

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

H. Robert’s read their story, sixty years of selling top name equipment in metrology, so I would say reputable.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I bought two magnetic bases and two 0-1" – 0.0005" resolution dial indicators many years ago from Chronos Tools, which were not that expensive, and none of them have any brand name, although the dial indicators were made in China. The dial indicators still work very smoothly, and this evening I gave one a simple check using a precision ground block that came off a second hand indicator that I bought. I didn't need the block on the indicator, as the shape on the other side wasn't much use for my needs, when using it with the indicator, but does make a good true spacer for other jobs.

Shown below is my dial indicator and magnetic base attached to my small surface table, with the indicator set to zero with the plunger touching the table.

The block was measured in several different places on each of the two sides, and came out at 25.08mm.

The block was then placed on the table under the indicator plunger, and a reading was taken at 0.9875". The block was rotated so to get a reading on all four edges, and the reading stayed the same, and I repeated the procedure three times and got the same reading each time.

So, 25.08mm = 0.9874" near as, and so my reading of 0.9875" looks pretty good to me for an unbranded dial indicator made in China.

Regards Nick.

[Neil LickfoldParticipant @neillickfold44316]

So they do make with a readout of the accuracy of the instrument for the real ones. I see that the digital stuff now goes down to 4 decimal places metric on a mercator style fine dti. There is also the long distance digital indicators to take the place of the 50mm travel dial, and they go up to around 150mm travel. Again the good ones, come with a range readout for that particular instrument.

I have some undercut detail I want to measure, but do so while its on the machine and set up. Its easy to make a foot with the M2.5mm thread, shape it to what is needed, place on the end ff an indicator, thats got the base like that of a depth mic. What I have will work, but would be nicer if it actually read the correct amount right off the bat.

[DiogenesIIParticipant @diogenesii]

RDBarratt – Mitutoyo 2046a 10mm 0.01

..on 'sale' from this established engineering industry supplier. £32.51.. ..+ all the usual I expect but still looks like a good clock for the money.

No connection other than as a previous customer, they do have some nice (& affordable!) Bison MT Collet Chucks…

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

I have bought the Mitutoyo 2046A from Digital Micometers.

[Mark BarronParticipant @markbarron78673]

I've also had fantastic service from H. Roberts for Mitutoyo DTIs. They have a Mitutoyo DTI sale on at the moment.

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by Mark Barron on 15/03/2023 12:19:17:

I've also had fantastic service from H. Roberts for Mitutoyo DTIs. They have a Mitutoyo DTI sale on at the moment.

H Roberts charge £9.99 standard delivery – Total cost £48.23

DML charge £5.99 for next day delivery – Total cost £43.48

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Ah but … is it wise to buy an Analogue instrument from a firm with Digital in its very name ?

[ only kidding ]

MichaelG.

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 15/03/2023 16:55:37:

Ah but … is it wise to buy an Analogue instrument from a firm with Digital in its very name ?

[ only kidding ]

MichaelG.

Oh bugger, better cancel the order then

[petro1headParticipant @petro1head]

So I got the new dial gauge and thought I would give some feedback.

The replacement was a Mitutoyo 2046A

The packaging compare to the Starrett 3025-481 was disappointing.

The front dial on the Mitutoyo 2046A is a little stiff and not as fluid as my old Clarke one.

However I am pleased with it and will put it to good use.

Cheers for all the help

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks for letting us know

MichaelG.

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

Terribly late to the party, sorry…

Buying things these days seems to be a lottery. Too many brand names have been bought by profit-takers who don't care about the products. China seems able to supply everything, at all levels of quality, and with any name you like. Problem is that you can't tell which is going to be good, before you purchase.

I bought an 8" Starrett digital caliper. It's horrible – clearly not from Scotland or USA.

Even though home use is unlikely to wear out an indicator, accidents happen. I'd take my business to a manufacturer which offers service, repair and spares. They are confident to stand behind their products – but perhaps not their low-cost lines. Some of the big names still do, but good luck with Chinese, no-name stuff.

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 20/03/2023 10:58:47

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