SHORT SUBJECT #8 Dial vs Test Indicators tubalcain starrett

This is number 8 in my "SHORT SUBJECT" video series.
Here is a link to my SHORT SUBJECT PLAYLIST--
Here are a few links to some related videos that might interest you.
WHAT MAKES IT WORK? #18 "How a Dial indicator Works" tubalcain
Accuracy of Antique Test Indicators #529 tubalcain
Evaluating Starrett Antique Indicators Tips #652 tubalcain mrpete
CLICK on this link for my "SHORT SUBJECT" playlist---

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#dialindicator#testindicator#brown&sharpe#mitutoyoindicator#shars#federalindicator

[southernboy]

The kids that Mr. Pete taught had no idea what a wealth of knowledge they had at their disposal. Always very grateful for the knowledge you share Mr. Pete.

[djbishop]

I'm stuck in a hotel room out of town. I always learn something from your contributions.
Started reading The Bible placed by Gideons.
In the first few pages, I got it. Thank You Sir!

[KRER-lcws]

Well I am embarrassed to say after all these years I didn't know there was a difference between test and dial indicators. Thank you Mr Pete. Always a great watch.

[DJPLAST]

After spending close to 50yrs building injection molds, I always had a “cheap” dial indicator available in my tool box for lathe work where the location of the indicator could be subjected to being hit by hot chips. Back in the 70’s, we built a cover/lid that had threads inside. One of the guys in the shop set one in the lathe and cut the threads out and opened the inside dimension to fit a dial indicator as a cover. The molding department ran a short run while sampling the mold with clear material. Everyone in the shop made them into protective covers for their dial indicators! Still have mine.

[tompate]

About three-years ago, a man on eBay had about eighty plunger type indicators that he somehow acquired when an old Dodge car factory shut down. I was able to purchase all of them for about $80 dollars (a dollar per indicator) and about thirty of them were broken beyond repair. I cleaned and oiled the ones that were salvageable and took them to work and sold several to my coworkers for $5 dollars a piece. Most were Federal brand indicators that only had a range of less than 1/8th an inch, but many had a resolution of .0001" and I even got one very large Indicator marked "Dodge" on the dial face. I still have about thirty of those indicators sitting in a toolbox.

[paulhunt]

Very well done!
As a maintenance technician I used indicators far more frequently than my micrometers. I once claimed to own at least 40 quality indicators, but on last count it was only in the 30's.
Starrett makes some of the finest, but their more modern styles of test indicators priced out of my laborer's budget. For that reason, I have favored B&S and Mitutoyo. I own indicators in numerous configurations, but none with uncommon facing dials. My work demanded test indicators more than dial, or as I call them, travel indicators. I own indicators up to 4" of travel and down to .00005" resolution. I finally purchased an Interapid, mostly as a retirement novelty. While highly esteemed and having the largest range of test indicator travel, I didn't use them. They are more easily damaged than other brands, developing backlash on directional change that is not perceptible to the user. I cannot recall inspecting any Interapid shop owned indicator that hadn't been damaged. I concluded that trust was too significant and settled for the more robust brands over the advantages of more travel and nice large dials, and reduced investment costs.
Indicators are built on different mounting platforms. The platform determines the base or mount. Like the battery tool makers, once in a specific platform, you are encouraged to stay in the platform or own a variety of bases and/or attachments. Starrett and Interapid mounting styles are not as widely copied by other makers making them less universal. Once in a platform, you could easily embrace the related attachments for specific tasks. I found the Starrett platform clunky for my demands, but Adam Booth routinely demonstrates how they serve the lathe machinist well. I bought a BesTest as my first test indicator with .030" range and .0005" resolution. I added a long swivel dovetail attachment to the kit and used this indicator or its attachments for most of my other indicators as my go to set up.
Couple good indicators with premium bases and you will have delightful and reliable performance. Noga is hard to beat for function and is priced reasonably.
My inventory big three indicators are Starrett, B&S and Mitutoyo. Other premium makers are less available, pricey or quirky to my experience. Other more affordable brands introduce lack of trust to me, but I have some of those brands. Brands like Fowler can be premium or absolute trash. I bought a bargain Fowler test indicator set to gain a cute and tiny mag base that I thought would be useful. They packaged an acceptable test indicator with a base that is an embarrassment.
Brand name indicator button assortments are worth owning. I mostly favored only large, medium and standard buttons, so the enormous tip kits I regard as novelties.

[johnapel]

I was finally able to watch a new Mr. Pete video within a few hours of it's posting instead of days later. I used to be able to watch them soon after posting and I miss that.
Thank you Mr. Pete for many years of education and enjoyment!

[duronr]

To be honest Mr Pete, I wasn't expecting too much yet I was "wowed" at the content.
Thank you once again. :-)

[-Viceroy-]

Good subject.
I was about 12 years when my dad told me how to use a dial indicator to precisely set up the ignition advance in my 50cc moped

[Sally]

Thank you, Mr. Pete! I love learning this stuff….and especially antique items.

[PatrickHoodDaniel]

Thanks for showing the innards! Alwways wondered how they work.

[Je.Suis.Flaneur]

I ask all reading this to give it a like. We should nominate Mr. Pete as a National Treasure to be enshrined at the Smithsonian Institution.

[bcbloc]

Can’t forget the coax style indicators! It is one of the styles I use most often.

[Duckfarmer]

Lyle - Funny how some of us end up with numerous indicators, isn't it?! I believe your one mechanical test indicator is an old Ideal one, made in Rochester, NY. At least it looks to be like the one I inherited in my Dad's Gerstner box. He worked on a machine floor for a year or so before going into the AAF in WW2. Wrapped up his tools and put away when he left - ended up in a different job when he came home. I inherited the box and most of the tools after his death. It did not have a ton of use and is still smooth but I have never used it on an actual project. One of these days I guess I should take that one a a couple real old ones (like the ones you showed) I have and do a comparison with newer test indicators. As it is all a ratio mechanical linkage they probably will all dial something in better than my machining abilities can match. Thanks for a good short.

[AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Great long short video and an indication that you have a lot of tools. Thanks and keep on keeping on.

[barrygerbracht]

Dial indicators are good for alignment/indicating, digital ones are used for measuring only I think. I bought a bunch of new Starrett tools and have been thoroughly disappointed in them. I will only buy Mitutoyo for my premium measuring tools going forward. You'd think with 100+years of metallurgical development that Starrett could find better materials that don't rust for hand tools and that they could make a 1" dial indicator that reads 1.000" at 1.000" of stroke instead of 0.999". Works fine for indicating, but not for measuring. I could buy a $25 Chinese one for that instead of $250 Starrett one.

[Stefan_Boerjesson]

With a smile and a good heart...
Short video, a novell of comments...
Quoting You: "I've laid out some of my Why on earth buy that many? Okey, You might be like me, laying them down and later not finding them... I use 2 calipers for that reason... Most indicators sleep in a special drawer...
Digital ones running out of battery... I've got an angle indicator. It worked at delivery but next time, it was dead. The manual told why. The battery lasts for one year... CR2032... My response is to keep the battery beside the angle indicator...

Just checked my 3digital scales on the 1 dead and 2 grasping for power. 6 CR2032 batteries needed before using the next time... Now I know that.... Thanks for the video!
Time 05:35. I did the same, opened one having issues. Hundreds of TPI on those gears.... Clamping the stem too hard got it stuck!

[angelramos-]

Very nice collection of indicators.Thank you for showing them.Now, I finished my first steam (air)engine today.It works.

[junkmannoparts]

Hi Mr Pete those Starrett dial indicators are nice reminds me of old Stewart Warner gauges they are top notch. JM

[TBJKJeep]

Thanks for the Video Mr.Pete. I use mostly the Starrett 196 at work for checking alignment.