Dial Indicator w/magnetic base
- Thread starter GoldCrown
- Start date
What's your application? Will you have a ferrous surface to attach it to? I've had 6 or 7 over the years. The cheap ones are always garbage in this type of product. They strip out, or the adjustment is horrible, or the switch to turn on the magnetic base breaks. This product is one you don't want to go cheap, it will directly affect your enjoyment.
I just bought this one and love it:
Definitely get one with the micro adjust on the base, not the arm. It makes the adjustments much less sensitive to your hand movement.
Are you looking for a dial test indicator, or a plunge dial indicator? I've found the knock off indicators are surprisingly good.
I just bought this one and love it:
Noga NF10433 NogaFlex Holder & Base with Fine Adjust at Base: Magnetic Bases: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Noga NF10433 NogaFlex Holder & Base with Fine Adjust at Base: Magnetic Bases: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Definitely get one with the micro adjust on the base, not the arm. It makes the adjustments much less sensitive to your hand movement.
Are you looking for a dial test indicator, or a plunge dial indicator? I've found the knock off indicators are surprisingly good.
Use on a mid size repair lathe. Might try a house cue conversion. Would like to have a dial when situations come. I have a dial but no idea if it's junk or suitable. Will post later.
If you're on a mid-size, it doesn't have any steel. You can mount the indicator to the headstock, or to the tool post (mechanically to both), or add a steel plate and use a magnetic base, or just rest the base on the aluminum bed, but it might not be super stable. Do a google search for "indicator on Taig Lathe" and you will see a ton of ideas.
I actually had a mid-size for cue repair years ago, and I had a starrett surface gauge (non-magnetic), and I rested it on the wooden base board. It was actually stable enough to use. I'd probably recommend something more stable though. It was just something I already had.
I actually had a mid-size for cue repair years ago, and I had a starrett surface gauge (non-magnetic), and I rested it on the wooden base board. It was actually stable enough to use. I'd probably recommend something more stable though. It was just something I already had.
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I have a brand new Grizzly magnetic base with 1” indicator. It’s yours for $45.00 shipped USPS priority if you want.
SSDiver2112
Escott Cues
I bought the arm on Amazon and the dial indicator at Harbor Freight. I originally bought it with the magnetic base, but decided to take it off the base and just mount it on the headstock. I made a small plate out of aluminum, threaded it for the arm to mount it on the headstock.
After using my new Noga mag-base/articulated-arm for a few months I will never use anything else.
www.noga.com
I have Starrett, Federal, and Japanese and Chinese import dial test and indicators, most are fine. They are cheap on ebay.
Dave <-- not a cuemaker but has lots of bases/arms/snugs/indicators
Holding System
www.noga.com
I have Starrett, Federal, and Japanese and Chinese import dial test and indicators, most are fine. They are cheap on ebay.
Dave <-- not a cuemaker but has lots of bases/arms/snugs/indicators
What model do you have? ThanksAfter using my new Noga mag-base/articulated-arm for a few months I will never use anything else.
Holding System
I have Starrett, Federal, and Japanese and Chinese import dial test and indicators, most are fine. They are cheap on ebay.
Dave <-- not a cuemaker but has lots of bases/arms/snugs/indicators
If your mid size lathe is from Cueman, call Chris. I have mine set up on the cross slide and it works great.
Running a strip of metal along the board like you have done seems to be the most popular way of using the magnetic base indicators on my lathes.
I have a CueSmith Micro ll. Love it.
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