Digital or Analog Dial Indicator???

Indycars

Indycars

Administrator
Staff member
Trying to decide on whether I should buy digital or analog dial indicator. There nothing like having used one to help decide, but maybe I can get it right the first time. Which one do you like???

Rick
 
both work fine!
IF you get a quality indicator, maybe Im a bit old fashion but I like seeing the needle swing thru its rotation as it nears the zero, youve set. and yes an expensive dial indicator that reads in the .0005 rather than only .001 has its advantages but in the real world, its a bit limited if you have the full set of micrometers 1.0" 2.0 " 3.0" 4.0" 5.0" check standards and snap gauges , and dial calipers that most shops have as you mostly use a dial indicator for measuring things where a .001 tolerance is ok. like on degreeing in cams or measuring quench.
Ive seen no reason to prefer the digital versions,Ive used both types and Ive heard a few people tell me that the digital tend to be a bit less accurate although mine seem to be fine


digin.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-ELECTRONI ... B001DC96YK

dialin.jpg

dialin1.jpg


http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-dia ... 33675.html

don,t forget a sturdy stand
1450.jpg

bridge.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/multiposit ... -5645.html

555build1-09148.jpg

pro-66838_w.jpg

yes I find it amazing that theres guys in this hobby without snap gauges and dial indicator calipers, so many problems are avoided by actually knowing the accurate measurements

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dia ... 66541.html

SnapGage&Micrometer0464.jpg

calipersx.jpg

snapgaugesx.jpg

read thru these
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=181

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=501&p=7586&hilit=+measuring+piston#p7586

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=3061&p=8090&hilit=+measuring+piston#p8090

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=1390&p=3423&hilit=+measuring+piston#p3423

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=90
 
Speaking of accuracy, will it be an advantage to spend more for a dial indicator that reads in 0.0005"??? It seems most indicator's scale are in 0.001".


Rick
 
It never fails that when you start adding up everything you will need, the budget just seems to keep growing and that doesn't include all the things you can't remember! I've built an Excel spreadsheet to help with tracking part#'s, links and costs etc.

Have you used the dial indicator and magnetic base from Harbor Freight??? Did they do an ok job???


Rick
 
Indycars said:
It never fails that when you start adding up everything you will need, the budget just seems to keep growing and that doesn't include all the things you can't remember! I've built an Excel spreadsheet to help with tracking part#'s, links and costs etc.

Have you used the dial indicator and magnetic base from Harbor Freight??? Did they do an ok job???


Rick
Click to expand...
Browne & Sharpe, Mitutoyo, Starret, are some of the better brands
you may want to read thru this linked info

http://longislandindicator.com/p14.html

Yes ,Ive used both,digital and dial and yes they work, I tend to think the dial types more accurate, now the base is fine , in fact mines been used for over 10 years with zero problems,the import stuff is usually functional under light use if its not a high tech. OBVIOUSLY its not the quality of a STARLETT OR MITUTOYO dial indicator, but you might be surprised that its not a total p.o.s. either, in that it functions reasonably consistently, I bought a used set of MITUTOYO dial indicators that I use as a cross check but because they were far more expensive they tend to get used less and mostly as a cross check and verification tool.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... E4Q8gIwAw#

http://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-2416S-00 ... B001C0ZOPS

watch this

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 931678020#


item, with a need for close tolerances, if a product requires exact tolerances or its a high tech item look else-ware, but tools that are low tech like using a couple pairs of 12 ton jack stands under a 2 ton car, your most likely fine
Those dial indicators last a few years, from what Ive seen, if you don,t abuse them and store them correctly, they work but they are NOT a top quality piece. but it functions....obviously youll want to cross check your dimensions with a couple measurements and it certainly won,t hurt to have two.

BTW

everything in this hobby costs more, takes longer and is basically designed to force you to learn to do it yourself with the tools your forced to beg, buy or borrow, to do so, so you might as well just go with the flow and start spending the time and effort to learn how to use the tools youll be forced to beg, buy or borrow
thats one reason why joining a club has benefits as the members will occasionally share skills and tools



viewtopic.php?f=59&t=1390&p=3073#p3073


viewtopic.php?f=7&t=339

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2709

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=783
 
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