12 replies to this topic

[skoughi]

For once I'm going to buy something instead of continually bumming stuff! Looking for a dial gauge and stand, had a look on ebay etc but I'm not confident those on offer are good quality, I know you get what you pay for but at the same time I don't want to pay a fortune for a tool that I probably won't use again for quite some time so any recommendations up to a budget of £40-£50, cheers! 

[Swift_General]

I bought a gauge and stand at machine mart for setting cam timing. Quite happy with it.

[dklawson]

If you are afraid of the discount brand indicators, consider shopping eBay for used, name brand tools.  In particular, look for name brand tools that are shown with anything "original" (paperwork, box, etc).  That can be a general indication that the gauge has been taken care of.  As for specific brands, I doubt there will be the same brands in the U.K. as there are in the U.S.  Were you over here, I would tell you to look for Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, Federal, or Mitutoyo.  These are just a few of the good brands.

[59 Speed]

Got mine off ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.u...ME:L:OC:GB:3160

Tried machine mart first but the magnets seemed quite weak, perhaps they've improved since then.

The one above seemed well made and worked fine when setting my cam timing.

Hope this helps.

Ian

[skoughi]

Yeah I'd seen that one but having been suckered in by cheap tools on more than one occasion then I'm unsure about this one on ebay, if you feel it's a decent tool then I'll defo consider it. Thanks to all the other suggestions folks!

[Batmini]

+1 for the mitotoyo, that's what we use at work. You can get one off ebay

[gazza82]

I've got the toolzone one and the magnetic stand is really strong ... fittings on the arms might be a bit suspect, but it's not something you use a lot ... and as far as I can tell it does what is says on the tin!

[skoughi]

Just bought the toolzone one! Hope it lasts for the dozen or so times I'll use it!

[andyt]

I bought one at the autojumble at Beauleiu last week, mitutoyu stand and German made metric dti for a tenner off a Dutch women then swapped the dti for an imperial one at another stall! Great places to buy quality second hand tools. 

 

Andy.

[Spider]

Unless you get a solid ebay recommendation, I'd suggest going in to a shop to buy one.

 

Some of the inexpensive ones are quite good. Accuracy isn't important given what you are doing with it (in fact for most stuff you'd be using it for in engine assemble) but what is critical is repeatably and the 'feel' of the movement (hence why I suggest walking in to a shop), it doesn't stick or jerk. One name brand DTI (which is a different gauge) that I have sticks, and it's supposed to be the super fine one I would normally use for example to clock up the Mill.

 

If you were for example taking measurements that you wanted to transfer to another instrument (eg, measure a bore to then set the mill to), then accuracy is important.

 

Most of the gauges I have while not 'cheap' are inexpensive.

 

This is the Dial Gauge I have for doing 99% of the engine stuff;-

 

https://www.kincrome...icator-imperial

 

only that is more a RRP price, I paid less than $40 AUD for mine and still see them around the same coin.

 

You'll also want a magnetic base. This is probably the least expensive one I bought;-

 

http://www.totaltool...3/#.VfXhXn2LWIA

 

and it is the one that I always reach for, it has a nice feel about it and has a fine screw adjustment.

 

Just a word of caution if using any magnetic base. Being what they are, everything wants to stick to them, even when the Magnet is switched OFF. When using it, be sure you wipe the base right before 'sticking' it on your engine. Just get in to the habit of doing that every time. Any swarf while may go where you don't want it, can scratch machined surfaces.

 

<Edit:  Just one other point too. You'll usually find Metric Gauges are cheaper than Imperial, however I would suggest getting an Imperial one. Our engines are Imperial so it's always best to measure in Imperial rather than convert, one less place for error >

Edited by Moke Spider, 12 September 2015 - 10:43 PM.

[tommy13]

dklawson has given good advice. You may get better results on Ebay by searching for Dial Test Indicator ( DTI ). In this country you should look for brands such as Moore and Wright, Mercer, Baty, Mitutoyo, or Kennedy.

Edited by tommy13, 13 September 2015 - 08:29 PM.

[skoughi]

When I was looking the other night there seemed to be just new ones except for one second hand one that was unbranded. I never seem to look on there at the right time!

[skoughi]

When I was looking the other night there seemed to be just new ones except for one second hand one that was unbranded. I never seem to look on there at the right time!