Suggestions for Horizontal Test Indicator

macardoso

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H-M Supporter - Silver Member
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I currently have a .0005" Fowler X-Test Swiss type horizontal test indicator that I use for 95% of my setup work. I would like to pick up a new indicator with a .0001" resolution for finer work. I'm hoping to find one that is a swiss style with the swivel shank and .016" of travel (so two needles, the main one and the rev indication). The only one I can find is a $450 (edit) Interapid. Anybody know of a less expensive option?
 
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"Interapid." You will have a lot more trouble finding them if you can't spell them...

For tenths indicators I would be looking at B&S BesTest, Compac, Alina, Tesa, or Interapid. Nothing (NOTHING!) made or assembled in China. Be careful if you are looking at used indicators. If they are not completely correct they will be maddening unless you get them repaired, however the used purchase price plus the repair can easily reach the cost of a new one. Quite a few older tenths indicators with good names are obsolete, if you need some parts they can be throwaways. Know how to inspect a tenths indicator and don't accept one if it is not in perfect condition, new or used.
 
My tenths DTI is a Compac 215GA and I can highly recommend it. They are still available brand new from Long Island Indicator for $255.00: http://www.longislandindicator.com/p43.html. They come up on ebay from time to time but Caveat Emptor, etc.

This indicator is still made in Switzerland by the Tesa factory, as are the Tesa and higher end B&S indicators. However, the bearings used in the Compac are beefier. The movement is silky smooth and accurate.

I also have an Interapid and while it is also a very high quality indicator, I prefer the movement of the Compac. Just a personal bias, I admit. Both are good, but the Compac is gooder.
 
"Interapid." You will have a lot more trouble finding them if you can't spell them...

That’s what I get for writing a very quick post at 12:30am :rolleyes:

I’ll look into the Compac and all the other name brand options. I’ve had decent luck with less expensive indicators in the past, so I was curious if that would apply to these.
 
Agree with Mikey, I also have the Compac 215GA and it pretty much replaced everything else. The Compac has a longer travel then the Interapid and the dial is very easy to read. I have both Interapid and Compac indicators, but prefer the latter. Either one is great and the added resolution really helps. I purchased mine from Long Island Indicator, great price.
 
I’ll look into the Compac and all the other name brand options. I’ve had decent luck with less expensive indicators in the past, so I was curious if that would apply to these.
Just using a good tenths indicator can be maddening at times. One with backlash or stickiness will drive you crazy. Small amounts of backlash in a less than carefully made mechanism are not so noticeable when using .0005 or .001" indicators, but are glaring on a tenths indicator. Get a good one in new or good used condition and life will be good... Oh, and try to be gentle and careful with using it, abuse that you can get away with when using a .001 indicator can hurt the sensitive mechanism of a tenths indicator. Good ones will stay good for a long time with proper use, imports are throwaways, often way too soon.
 
I just picked up a 215GA. It is a nice piece, definitely better than my Interapid. Thanks to Mikey and Mark for the recommendation!
 
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