Machine Shop Basics: Selecting Dial Indicators for the Machine Shop

A lot of beginners have been asking questions about what kind of dial indicators they should be looking for to use in the machine shop. In this video, I will discuss some of the basic types of dial indicators and what kinds you might or might not need to get started with.

[justtinkering]

I am completely green. This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you.

[tomscorner]

This video has come in just the right time. All the stuff I do is just hobby. I've been using a square as a indicator. I had a bunch of runout on my drill press and when I see that the square was flush with the chuck, I called it square. Now I'm looking at indicators. Thanks Keith for the video.

[bobsamuel]

Thank you Keith, your videos are extremely helpful for a beginner. Excellent video and audio production also. Thanks again!!!

[onecrisde]

Keith, I really enjoy your videos! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience!!

[josephmagedanz]

As my father in law used to say, "Costs a little more, but I believe it's worth it." I think that applies here, for sure.
Thanks for sharing, Keith.

[eldoradony]

I'm an auto tech that discovered machining thanks to you tube. Thanks for this instructional video. Hop e you will make more along these lines as well as your usuals. It looks like Starrett is the Snap On of the machine world.

[juanrivero]

Nice refresher. In a beginner's video one might add that a DTI is a purely relative device. It measures the displacement of the plunger or finger, which has to be set by contact. That's why the dials can be rotated, you set zero where you want to start measuring. The DTI is a rack-and-pinion amplified by (literally) clockwork, a gear train. Some of them are even jeweled, just like a mechanical watch. Eventually the gears and jewels get gunk in them and they go slowly. Time then to have it cleaned and lubed, like any other mechanical device.

[nalinux]

Since I ordered a (infamous) mini lathe, you gave me the exact answers I was looking for :)
Thanks.

[swarfrat]

Keith,
Even though I have an idea of what I'm going to get in the way of indicators and holders, it's always helpful to have someone's take of what they use and why. Thanks for sharing your choice of indicators and why you use them. I always find your videos (as well as those of others) to have valuable nuggets of information. Thanks again, Keith!
Have a good one!
Dave

[Paladin]

The Noga is my favorite machine shop tool. It is a lifesaver. I had one of those cheap articulating arms like you showed and it was beyond useless.

[Uncleroger]

Thanks Keith for all the sharing you do. I enjoy the projects as well as the basics. If you did not benefit from a formal education in machining but just "picked it up along the way" the basics are always helpful to round out your knowledge. Good solid content presented as only you can do! Thanks! How's the shop coming??

[cemx]

Keith - Nice roundup. Maybe a followup how-to video on how to use an indicator to measure run out, and parallel-ism, of a work piece or machinery. Nothing too fancy, just quick and dirty. You probably could just go back to your video archives and grab a few minutes of various type of indicator work you have done, removing the original audio and dubbing in new commentary.

[alphonsefrascato]

I just bought my first dial indicator its a Starrett last word with the magnetic stand. Thanks for the video very helpful information.

[mrfrog]

Good vid Keith.You do a great job explaining things to people that are just getting into metal and woodworking.

[PeterWMeek]

Good coverage of indicators. Useful.

When I started out in the toolroom of a family business (cold heading) my grandfather fitted me out with a basic set of tools. The indicator he chose for me was the Starrett back-plunge indicator, with the set of adapters and accessories (in the nice red Starrett box). I never went on to make a career in machining, but I still have that set. For a long time it was my only indicator.

BTW, you might mention that even though the graduations are in 1/1000ths, you can read indicators like this (and the other 1/1000ths indicators you showed) to 1/2 a thousandth easily, and be pretty close to a quarter or third of a thousandth. For centering in a 4-jaw, the quiver of the needle will let you get centered to a couple of tenths - always assuming that your indicator holder will hold it steady enough. Excellent advice on getting a Noga or other high-quality holder, especially with the lower quality indicators which usually have a stronger return spring to make up for the slightly less free-running mechanisms in those indicators.

[johnbazaar]

Thanks Keith. I hadn't thought of looking for different indicator tips. I just did a task that required indicating a piece of allthread.
A flat button tip would've been handy.
Thanks,
John

[KillingerUSA]

great video! this helps a lot. tooling up my shop slowly for machine work so I have been shopping for measuring instruments. perfect timing!

[kmgy]

very helpful. please consider similar content in other "basics" topic areas.

[donpollard]

Hi, Keith, I have a '196' Starrett indicator set - very nice. Starrett uses a capital letter after the model number to indicate (pardon the pun) the actual set/part - in this case (another pun - English is like that..) you have a 196G, the dial indicator is a 196, without a letter. Another example is Starrett precision Screwdrivers; I have 3 (one in use, 2 back up) 551G screwdrivers - the 'G' says it is a #1 Phillip; other blades have other letters. The 551 says Starrett Precision Screwdriver. I work in a production environment and I am tightening up screws in the terminal of M12 Sensor Connectors - very tiny and fiddly - I obtained a set of S....y precision drivers and the particular Phillips No 1 lasted maybe 6 months and that was pushing it; my Starrett is going on 18 months, and while a tad worn, still performs like new. The set cost AU$13, while the single Starret was double that, so for twice the cost I have so far got 3 times the life, and it is performing well. Good vid, Keith, I love to see them - this one was particularly handy, and, yes, I have a Starrett 196G set, as well as a couple of Mitutoyo 2046S dial indicators from a previous workplace (Railroad sleeper/tie manufacturer): they ditch anything that has been damaged, as they are used in quality control, rather than fixing them I also have a Teclock (Japan) which still works OK, as well as a couple of Starrett Best Test indicators - old but part of my Collection.

[elsdp-]

THANK YOU and appreciate the time you took to show the basic...time to get busy:)