Dial Indicators
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Dial Indicators
What would you say is the best deal going for a good quality dial indicator set up for gauging rotor runout?
What other uses are they for on the car?
If you could give the model as well as the approximate going price so I can determine which one would be best suited for me.
What other uses are they for on the car?
If you could give the model as well as the approximate going price so I can determine which one would be best suited for me.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
They will range anywhere from 20 bucks to 100+ for one. Most likely the 20 dollar one will do you a good job. I have a Starrett and Mititoyo one. Both were well more than 20 bucks. I use them quite often in work and around the car. Get one and take care of it and it should last a good long time.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
You get what you pay for with tools. The cheap ones are not going to last long if you use them. I went through about 3 of them. They start to stick and if you're not watching or are experienced with them that will screw you up pretty good both in your work and your head.
I use Starrett,made in Athol Ma USA for over 100 years. I use it rebuilding boxes, rear brg's, differentials, rotor runout, machine tool repair and setup. Probably over $100 but worth it.
I do like to keep those chinese ones on the bench, great for killing flies.
I use Starrett,made in Athol Ma USA for over 100 years. I use it rebuilding boxes, rear brg's, differentials, rotor runout, machine tool repair and setup. Probably over $100 but worth it.
I do like to keep those chinese ones on the bench, great for killing flies.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Search eBay in the automotive tools section and the regular tools section. I recently got a Central Tools, made in USA, set with magnetic base and all attachments in a nice plastic case for around forty bucks. It was like brand new. I have also seen Snap-on sets. Same as the Central Tools but in a red plastic case instead of blue, and usually twice the price. Starret are outstanding gauges and show up on eBay as well. You can also find Matco and Mac tools sets. All are good professional grade instruments and sets and made in the USA.
If you want an inexpensive set, go to Harbor Freight.
If you want an inexpensive set, go to Harbor Freight.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It is true the cheap ones probably won't last as long, but they are accurate that is the main thing. I have cheap Chinese mics ( 1/10,000" ) and I checked them against high dollar mics and they were bang on.
Same with my bore gauge and dial indicators. I use these tools once or twice a year so they serve me well, if I were setting up rear ends on a regular basis I would buy more expensive measuring tools
Same with my bore gauge and dial indicators. I use these tools once or twice a year so they serve me well, if I were setting up rear ends on a regular basis I would buy more expensive measuring tools
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
You get what you pay for with tools. The cheap ones are not going to last long if you use them. I went through about 3 of them. They start to stick and if you're not watching or are experienced with them that will screw you up pretty good both in your work and your head.
I use Starrett,made in Athol Ma USA for over 100 years. I use it rebuilding boxes, rear brg's, differentials, rotor runout, machine tool repair and setup. Probably over $100 but worth it.
I do like to keep those chinese ones on the bench, great for killing flies.
I use Starrett,made in Athol Ma USA for over 100 years. I use it rebuilding boxes, rear brg's, differentials, rotor runout, machine tool repair and setup. Probably over $100 but worth it.
I do like to keep those chinese ones on the bench, great for killing flies.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I agree on the usage just watch them, all the ones I used(3-4) all started to stick,seem to have lost the spring tension to return the needle. I first noticed it checking backlash and the range changed .005 over 360* of rotation then I found it was the indicator.
I also have to admit I'm very biased against china,India, and Mexico in respect to where the US mfg has gone. I'm amazed just how many americans don't realize it but just about everything we have now is made elsewhere. We're losing experience every day as the older generation dies out.
I also have to admit I'm very biased against china,India, and Mexico in respect to where the US mfg has gone. I'm amazed just how many americans don't realize it but just about everything we have now is made elsewhere. We're losing experience every day as the older generation dies out.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
occasional use Chinese is fine, just check their calibration every now and then. I kept getting different readings and had to double check with gap gauges. Measure twice.....
Also, try and get one that comes with a case to keep it from getting banged around too much.
Also, try and get one that comes with a case to keep it from getting banged around too much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
It is true the cheap ones probably won't last as long, but they are accurate that is the main thing. I have cheap Chinese mics ( 1/10,000" ) and I checked them against high dollar mics and they were bang on.
Same with my bore gauge and dial indicators. I use these tools once or twice a year so they serve me well, if I were setting up rear ends on a regular basis I would buy more expensive measuring tools
Same with my bore gauge and dial indicators. I use these tools once or twice a year so they serve me well, if I were setting up rear ends on a regular basis I would buy more expensive measuring tools
tools that I use alot I spend the extra for good tools. But something I might use once or twice, I don't care about brand name just price. I do have Starrett and Mititoyo gauges also, but when I needed a second dial indicator I got a cheap one and it worked the same as the Mititoyo.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I agree on the usage just watch them, all the ones I used(3-4) all started to stick,seem to have lost the spring tension to return the needle. I first noticed it checking backlash and the range changed .005 over 360* of rotation then I found it was the indicator.
I also have to admit I'm very biased against china,India, and Mexico in respect to where the US mfg has gone. I'm amazed just how many americans don't realize it but just about everything we have now is made elsewhere. We're losing experience every day as the older generation dies out.
I also have to admit I'm very biased against china,India, and Mexico in respect to where the US mfg has gone. I'm amazed just how many americans don't realize it but just about everything we have now is made elsewhere. We're losing experience every day as the older generation dies out.
I agree with the China syndrome, everything is made there, if you look around your house probably 75% of your belonging are made in China. When I was a kid it was exactly the same except it was Japan now look at what happened there.
They have cities devoted to making ties, another one for making shirts, I am not kidding. Probably most clothes, furniture, electronics, car parts etc. etc. etc. sold in North America are being made in China these days
Everyone in NA thinks they should make 100K no matter what they do, and you can't compete with a country where they make a couple of bucks a day.
What Canada and States are going to become are distributors, not manufacturing anything anymore just selling it and I don't think this is a good thing
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
I have had increadably good luck with Starrett. Made in USA. I use them very frequently so i need the quality. In all honstly if you are only going to use it every now and again a cheepo will do just fine. Just check the calabration, even when it is brand new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,472
Likes: 1,493
From: Little Rock AR
Harbour Freight has some in a display case near where I live. I have a magnetic base, dial indicator and even a decent caliper from them. If all you do is degree your cam with it once a year then by all means save the bucks and buy an inexpensive one there. Maybe $20 each.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Check out fleabay. I was just over there looking at the indicators. There are some decent Starrett ones for a good price. I like the 1 inch travel .001 increment ones for automotive work. It has served me well for many years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
From: Marengo Illinois
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I've had both cheapo's and a very nice Mitutoyo set up. While they both work, the expensive ones are nicer to use.
Something to keep in mind is how much it hurts when the high dollar one hits the floor accidently.
Something to keep in mind is how much it hurts when the high dollar one hits the floor accidently.
