Best Dial Test Indictor for the Money

[mmcmdl]

All my efforts to-date have been in imperial measurements.

So , metric ?

 

[verbotenwhisky]

I am posting this thread here because the folks here seem to more represent my philosophy and what I am interested in than other segments. If I am posting here improperly, please accept my apologies. I am an attorney and therefore impaired.

I am in the process of building a shop and equipping it with a lathe and milling machine. Obviously, I am going to need several dial indicators in both 0.0005 and 0.0001 configurations. I already have several 0.001 indicators. The prices for dial test indicators are all over the map. I am of the opinion that you never go wrong by buying quality, but price and name brand do not always indicate quality. My question is this:

What is the best dial test indicator for the money?

Thanks for your response(s) and I realize that this is a "newbie" question.

I have found that I like Dasqua products, good price for good quality. https://www.dasquatools.com/

 

[mattthemuppet2]

All my efforts to-date have been in imperial measurements.

Doesn’t really matter much for dtis, it’s just a relative measurement

 

[ChazzC]

This discussion started almost 7 years ago and the title is relevant to my needs now. The cheap test indicator I acquired when starting this hobby (six years ago) has died. My requirements are not that great. A indicator with 0.0005 graduations and a 0.03" range will do nicely. I can't see spending >$200 for a Starrett, a Tesa, LastWord, Interapid, or a high end Mitutoyo. Nor am I going to go for the cheaper ones. So, any recommendations for a $150-$200 indicator. Mid range Mitutoyo, Fowler, or ???? I am not abusive, but nor am I obsessively careful. So, ruggedness and reliability are important. Thanks...............

I have been very happy with my SHARS’s: they come in a variety of flavors with 0.0005” 15/0/15, including large dial and vertical, all in the $40 - $70 range. They are consistent, accurate (when checked on a stand with gage blocks) and don’t hurt as much when dropped as it would if it were my 0.001” Mitu.

 

[WobblyHand]

If you would consider used, there is something like this: https://shop.idealprec.com/collecti...-030-range-0005-graduation-used-reconditioned @$95 or look around.

Ideal Precision is a decent place to deal with. Check out their overstock section.

 

[mmcmdl]

I think he's looking for metric .

 

[WobblyHand]

I think he's looking for metric .

I think starr256's post was looking for imperial. He said 0.0005" with a 0.030" travel, hence my link.

Best Dial Test Indictor for the Money

The hand looks very short on the 523. Is it easy to read? I don't think Compac makes DI's anymore, I only see DTI's., so the 523 would make a fine addition to the other Compacs. For $50 plus another $150 or more with repair, ? Maybe. I don't really need a 523, but if one came up in better...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[starr256]

If you would consider used, there is something like this: https://shop.idealprec.com/collecti...-030-range-0005-graduation-used-reconditioned @$95 or look around.

Ideal Precision is a decent place to deal with. Check out their overstock section.

Yesterday, received a reconditioned BestTest from Ideal Precision for $95. Got to say aside from actually working, it is much smoother than my old dead DTI. Thanks for the tip.