- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 173
In another lifetime I was a tool & die maker for 25 years working on precision progressive dies. I used dial test indicators all day long for set-ups and especially grinding (generally ±.0001 tolerance) . I have at least 4 dial test indicators (the type where the tip pivots) of my own, and recently received 3 more that were my fathers. All together there are 3 Federals (.001 & .0001), 2 B&S best tests (.0001 & .00005), a Starrett last word (.001), some very old Lufkin ones without dials, and 2 cheap old imports that are about toast. Also have several dial indicators (the type where the tip retracts/extends linearly), but rarely use those, and they are not the problem today.
Since all of them have been sitting in their original cases inside wood tool boxes for years, I didn't expect to have any problems with them when I got them out the other day. In my hobby shop I mostly use the Federal .001, but I was trying to measure / calibrate a Mitutoyo height master I bought and went to the (2) .0001 Federal indicators. The (2) .0001 ones are sluggish returning so I don't really trust them, the 2 best test dials won't move at all (tips are free) and I didn't mess with the Starrett (never liked them, it was dad's). I sprayed the tips with some brake cleaner and worked them a bit - it helped the Federals some (not as bad, but still sluggish return) but it didn't help the best tests at all (dial won't move). Apparently at least 4 of these need some TLC.
In all the years I never had any trouble with any indicator I owned, so never repaired or cleaned. I tried to search the forum for dial test indicator repair tips / procedures, but didn't see anything; I do see lots of videos on plunger type indicator repairs. I am assuming that they just got gunked up and need to be cleaned. Anybody have anything that has worked for them for dial test indicators, or do I have to send them out for cleaning / repair? Any rough guess as to what cleaning / repair costs are today?
Thanks for any help,
Grandpop
Since all of them have been sitting in their original cases inside wood tool boxes for years, I didn't expect to have any problems with them when I got them out the other day. In my hobby shop I mostly use the Federal .001, but I was trying to measure / calibrate a Mitutoyo height master I bought and went to the (2) .0001 Federal indicators. The (2) .0001 ones are sluggish returning so I don't really trust them, the 2 best test dials won't move at all (tips are free) and I didn't mess with the Starrett (never liked them, it was dad's). I sprayed the tips with some brake cleaner and worked them a bit - it helped the Federals some (not as bad, but still sluggish return) but it didn't help the best tests at all (dial won't move). Apparently at least 4 of these need some TLC.
In all the years I never had any trouble with any indicator I owned, so never repaired or cleaned. I tried to search the forum for dial test indicator repair tips / procedures, but didn't see anything; I do see lots of videos on plunger type indicator repairs. I am assuming that they just got gunked up and need to be cleaned. Anybody have anything that has worked for them for dial test indicators, or do I have to send them out for cleaning / repair? Any rough guess as to what cleaning / repair costs are today?
Thanks for any help,
Grandpop