(Tools) Dial Indicators
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
(Tools) Dial Indicators
I have been shopping for a dial indicator kit. There are several on ebay, but few of them are complete kits with holder, clamps, and magnet. Northern Tools has a couple of kits that are farely reasonably priced. The only dial indicators I have used have been Snap-On which I had borowed once. I want to have them before I start assembling my engine.
What exactly should I look for, and where would be the best place to find them?
Thanks!
www.bigdogvettes.com
What exactly should I look for, and where would be the best place to find them?
Thanks!
www.bigdogvettes.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Originally Posted by matchframe
I have been shopping for a dial indicator kit. There are several on ebay, but few of them are complete kits with holder, clamps, and magnet. Northern Tools has a couple of kits that are farely reasonably priced. The only dial indicators I have used have been Snap-On which I had borowed once. I want to have them before I start assembling my engine.
What exactly should I look for, and where would be the best place to find them?
Thanks!
www.bigdogvettes.com
What exactly should I look for, and where would be the best place to find them?
Thanks!
www.bigdogvettes.com
dial indicators range in price from $20 to $200, and you pretty much get what you pay for. however, i've found even the cheapish $50 made-in-china ones are ok for most general auto/engine uses.
Mitutoyo and Starrett are good but $$$
you probably want a plunger style 0-1" range with .0005" graduations. And digital is not always better...
try Reid Tool or McMaster-Carr. they are good reputable vendors.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have a Mitutoyo myself but I am in the tool supply business so I got mine for free. I have dial indicaters and mics and calipers. Some digital some not. The digital ones are easy to read and if your not used to dials they can be tricky to read. The cheap ones are cheap. If you only use them on occasion the ywill probably be OK. Mine was around 100 with a stand at cost. Get a decent one but no need to spend huge $$$ on one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 1,458
From: Little Rock AR
I have Harbour Freight cheapie Cen-Tech specials. I do not use them a lot so I did not sink much into the stuff. I could not say anything bad about them. Less than $20 each for a magnetic base and a dial indicator. Get an analog readout, not digital. You can see a lot more things happening with an analog dial.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I bought a kit from Harbor Freight. I believe it was Centech. If you are going to be doing a lot of work, I would go for a better piece than this. I wish I had bought something better, but I have used it to check rotor runout and bellhousing runout and it has worked fine every time I have called on it. I also bought a digital dial caliper from the same place and it measures .0005. Seems to work pretty good also. I hate buying Chinese crap but I could not see giving the price for Starret only to use a handfull of times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by stingr69
I have Harbour Freight cheapie Cen-Tech specials. I do not use them a lot so I did not sink much into the stuff. I could not say anything bad about them. Less than $20 each for a magnetic base and a dial indicator. Get an analog readout, not digital. You can see a lot more things happening with an analog dial.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Same here. I got the dial indicator and magnetic base. For as much use I will get out of it, it will last a lifetime. I used it for the rear wheel bearings and soon for the engine build. After that I thinking it will be on the shelf for a long time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I got mine at Grizley Tools (they have a web site) . Fairly inexpensive, came in a complete kit (with case) and seems to be quite accurate.
I agree - I have several from Harbor and Grizzley and like the Griz pieces better. The kits are a great deal and accuracy is way better than 'adequate' for anything but very high precision work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 46
From: Pomfret, CT
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Hey guys.....I have a few high quality....starrett, brown and sharpe, etc.....indicators I am going to be selling. I have some magnetic bases, and some other accesories.....I will have to see what I have. If you are interested......PM me or email me at cicch95@***.net. I am selling them as I was a machinist for 12 years, for the past 5 years I am in management so I don't need my tools anymore!
-Rick
-Rick
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
Thanks for all the replys! Now I know what to look for.
Cicch95, I would be interested in one of your dial indicators, but I would have to wait until after Christmas.....have to think of the kids first!
www.bigdogvettes.com
Cicch95, I would be interested in one of your dial indicators, but I would have to wait until after Christmas.....have to think of the kids first!
www.bigdogvettes.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 2
From: Orange Ct
One rule is to get a gauge that is 10X the resolution of
your mesurment. If you need measure to .001, the gauge should have a resolution of .0001. Also, have on hand a master of known dementions the check the gauge over a good part of its travel. This is more important with digitals.
Bob
your mesurment. If you need measure to .001, the gauge should have a resolution of .0001. Also, have on hand a master of known dementions the check the gauge over a good part of its travel. This is more important with digitals.
Bob
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 11
From: Seattle WA
You can also look here.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/sea...ults.jsp?xi=xi
But the used stuff might be the best low cost alternative.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/sea...ults.jsp?xi=xi
But the used stuff might be the best low cost alternative.