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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 5,817
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What do you guys have for dial indicators, for checking deflection on rear-end components, play in input/output shafts, etc.
I'm trying to figure out what would be the best setup to go with. I've heard ones with magnetic bases don't work in all applications... Any advice? Brand names?
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,491
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The dial indicator is separate from the magnetic base. When the base won't "stick", you can bolt the indicator in place using a right angle bracket. As with anything, the name brand stuff is best, but for occasional use, the Taiwanese stuff is OK. You can spend $80 on a Mitutoyo or $19 on a no-name Taiwanese indicator. For starters, check out http://www.autospecialtytools.com/cg...storeindex.dht
I got one from Sears 30 years ago and still use it frequently.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 649
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My job is to calibrate stuff like this. All kinds of measuring stuff.
The good ones are Mitutoyo & Starrett |
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#4 |
Registered User
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Location: SOMERSET KY.
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junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
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#5 |
Recovering Truck Driver
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Orleans, NE USA
Posts: 1,883
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it's been long enough since i bought mine and it was in a tool kit that i got when i went to tech school, but i think it was around 80 for it.....it's a central tool, with a magnetic base.
If I ever buy another one, i'm going to get one that has the switch on the base to attatch and detatch the magnet, mine is always magnetic and kind of a pita.
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67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,720
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I'm in agreement with Junkyard John. If you want to spend money on a COMPLETE kit, Jegs has the Proform kit with dial indicator and everything to check pinion depth for $99. It will work with ANY rear axle. Preciscion Measurement out of San Antonion makes a similar tool for $175. I have a T&D Machine setup tool that cost about $300 but uses discs and a shaft to center the indicator vs. measuring from the cap surface to the bearing surface and calculating centerline like the others do. MSC and Enco are two places you can get a dial indicator WITH base for about $20. Any of the depth checker kits you get you'll want to buy a magnetic base as well.
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44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
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#7 |
Gasser
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Thomasville,NC USA
Posts: 456
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Starrett "Last Word" for the clearances. Starrett 1" travel for the others. Starrett 100lb pull mag base. Assorted self-made fixtures.
I also have some of those chopstick ones, I keep in the garage. The good stuff stays in the house, along with all the other specialized instruments and tools. 40 yrs. behind time? Wasn't that around the time when the best stuff in the world was made? Here? I'll have to admit though, my favorite 1"Mic at work is NSK. My Calipers are B&S. Starrett calipers suck. But this post was about indicators, right? Stepside
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:thud 70 sstep tubbed, Muncie, double hump, snowflake, Last edited by Stepside; 06-25-2002 at 06:25 PM. |
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#8 |
Used to have a truck
Join Date: May 2002
Location: port orchard WA
Posts: 1,552
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Ive got a boxfull of crapped out starret dial indicators accumulated over the last 14 years doing machine work and packaging machine setup and tuning. I give them 6 months of regular use before they start to seize and hardly ever buy starret dial indicators any more as Ive had them go to hell after a few months . If it was my dime instead of my employers I'd be pissed . For my money Ive had much better luck with Mitotoyo dial indicators and I swear by their dial and digital calipers. The real cheap stuff I avoid like the plague but Mititoyo is a high quality brand IMHO.
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No truck :-( |
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SOMERSET KY.
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junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 649
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These are preciscion indicators. If yours seize up I assure you you are not treating them correctly. I am a METROLOGIST and I calibrate and maintain these things on a daily basis. Most people dont treat them correctly. They should last many years. Starrett has been the industry standard for a long time. There stuff is well above par. Mitutoyo is also very good.
This indicator is not 50 years behind the times and wont seize up after 6 months. ![]() Last edited by RipMeyer; 06-26-2002 at 01:13 AM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SOMERSET KY.
Posts: 6,427
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WE WERE TALKING ABOUT STARRETT LAST WORD INDICATORS. DIAL INDICATORS. THOSE PICTURED ARE ELCTRONIC, DIGITAL READOUT, TRAVEL INDICATORS. DOES YOUR BOOK PUT A PRICE ON THEM??
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junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
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