How do I change the “default” lever angle on my Verdict DTI?

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

As my first DTI, I happened to purchase a secondhand Verdict T4A, and it has me a tad confused on how/whether to adjust the "zero" angle of the lever. I thought that'd normally be done by simply pushing on the tip once it bottoms out, but that doesn't seem to do anything, and I can't even begin to loosen the screws on the side. I naturally want to be quite careful with it, as it is a 0.002 mm indicator, so I do not want to try to brute force it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Im not familiar with the Verdict but on all of the ones that I have the lever has a friction grip and simply twisted to the angle required.

Paul

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

That's exactly what I was thinking, but it doesn't seem to work that way — maybe someone more familiar with the Verdict can tell me whether this model is different, or perhaps just stuck.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Mine is not that model … but I thought they all worked the same way, in that there are detents, loaded by a spring.

Is there a leaf spring visible of the ‘dark side’ of your photo ?

MichaelG.

.

Edit: Good illustrated catalogue, here:

https://mjallen.co.uk/application/files/1414/7686/2465/Dial_Test_Indicators.pdf

… and a useful form thread here:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=135501

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 02/02/2020 08:39:07

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

As far as I can tell, it's just a linkage leading to the internal mechanism, there is no spring that I can see. The catalogue and thread look interesting, but my model doesn't seem to be listed — shame, since it seems to function somewhat differently.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Have you tried turning the screw on the side clockwise?

Rod

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi dp2020, maybe yours is one that is made to order.

MichaelG, once again you have found good info, and from that I've deduced that the one I have is a 10/6005 model.

Regards Nick.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

On mine there's a leaf-spring with a pip that engages in a series of detents. You set it into one of them by 'brute force', though it's not really very brutal…

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

Nick, it is possible — I've seen a reference to the same model on practical machinist, but it must have been a very limited rare run.

Rod, I've tried, but I am not capable of moving any of the screws, all of them seem to be very solidly locked down. I am not sure if this is intentional, or just a part of how old the indicator is.

[Pete RimmerParticipant @peterimmer30576]

Don't touch the screws, they are carefully-set pivots. Just push the lever round. I have one that is tight but they all work the same, by simply pushing them round.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

To add to the collective knowledge: Here is the spare parts list for some models

**LINK**

https://mjallen.co.uk/application/files/1214/7686/2449/gauge_spare_parts_list.pdf

‘though apparently not the T4A

MichaelG.

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

On mine there is the reversing lever ! Look near the bottom of the second page. It just swivels to alter the direction.

Just in case anybody knows, I dropped mine and the crystal bounced out and a piece chipped out of it, where to get a replacement.

Thanks.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

The design of the T4A seems so different to other Verdict gauges that I wonder if it was intended to fit into a specific bit of equipment. The round body with the flush screw suggest it could be held in a hole so perhaps there was no need to change the direction or angle for its intended application.

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 02/02/2020 10:23:04

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by Paul Lousick on 02/02/2020 06:23:03:

Im not familiar with the Verdict but on all of the ones that I have the lever has a friction grip and simply twisted to the angle required.

Paul

Yes all mine work like that.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by John Baron on 02/02/2020 10:01:06:

[…]

Just in case anybody knows, I dropped mine and the crystal bounced out and a piece chipped out of it, where to get a replacement.

.

The catalogue pages came from **LINK**

https://mjallen.co.uk/products-and-services/metrology

Presumably they could help … but I know not at what price.

MichaelG.

[egaParticipant @ega]

I have a Verdict T500. There is no reversing lever or obvious way of re-setting the stylus; the stylus does, however, move in either direction to give a reading on the dial.

Does anyone actually know whether re-setting on this model is just a matter of using sufficient force on the stylus?

Verdict DTIs used to be made/serviced here in Kent and the firm were helpful at exhibitions.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Every lever DTI I have used has it's stylus moved by pushing it in the appropriate direction.

Tony

[John BaronParticipant @johnbaron31275]

Thanks Guys,

I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say.

My Verdict gauge is a ww2 1/2 thou one that was given to me by a mentor, it would be nice to get it fixed.

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

I have a couple of these indicators and I thought for years that one of them could not be adjusted and just had a fixed angle. It turned out that it was just really stiff and I was never brave enough to give it a good push. Perhaps it just needs a little more brute force, but it does take a leap of faith to manhandle delicate instruments.

Doug

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

The stylus on the 0.0001" T4A I have needs a firm push to adjust the angle. Simple friction grip. Which I believe is correct.

However mine was an E-Bay rip-off purchase maybe 20 years ago that doesn't operate correctly. Needle only moves halfway round the dial and its very slow in operation. After the seller and E-Bay proved unhelpful about refunds I contacted Verdict about repairs. Unfortunately no internal parts were available as those indicators had not been made since 1970 (ish) if I recall correctly. Got the impression that the movements hadn't proved as durable in service as one might have hoped and second hand, purchase without inspection wasn't wise.

Periodically I contemplate pulling it apart to see if something can be done but … life is too short.

Although all Verdict lever indicators operate in much the same way the movements do vary between models. Single direction versions with a reversing lever tend to be more compact and more durable. Internal loads are lighter and, obviously, no backlash issues. Bidirectional ones can be more convenient to use but have to be internally loaded to prevent backlash errors. Especially as its so tempting to operate with the zero, direction change point, as the reference. Single direction ones of course are normally operated around half deflection.

Clive

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

Clive, thank you — I got the courage to give it a proper push, and what do you know, everyone here was correct, it just was really really stiff. I'm not sure I would have normally pushed it this much, I would have been afraid of breaking something. Thank you to everyone for their advice and help.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Some of the lever indicators have a centre zero, and others have a lever to set the direction of travel. As for the angle of the pointer, all types just require turning the pointer to the angle required. No harm will be done to the instrument, they are designed to do this. Sideways bending should be avoided at all costs, it is the commonest cause of damage. Later models of Mitutoyo have a groove in the pointer which acts as a safety to break before the mechanism is damaged.

[dp2020Participant @dp2020]

Well, if only things could be this simple.

After a bit of adjusting back and forth, the mechanism has become extremely sticky to the point of being unusable, and there is now tremendous slop on the lever. I hope I haven't just scrapped this DTI, because this does not look good at all.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Sounds like it needs some 'expert' attention, the lever spindle may have come out of the miniature bearings? which could cost, sorry.

Tony

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