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what is the name of this dial indicator attachment?
- Thread starter elninio
- Start date
- Replies 32
- Views 17,764
Clive603
Titanium
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2008
- Location
- Sussex, England
You mean something like Starretts 670 A & B Indicator Hole Attachments and 671 Universal Attachment. That said I always knew the 671 style beast as a Right Angle Attachment as that was the name given when I was first shown one.
Clive
Clive
That's the one, thanks. I don't have money for a starret, are there any cheapo brands like Shars that sell it? I see some people call them 'hole attachment' on ebay.
Clive603
Titanium
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2008
- Location
- Sussex, England
If you are working to any degree of accuracy an el-cheapo probably isn't the best of ideas. That pivot needs to be good and shake free for reliable results. A touch of wobble with a bit of side to side play could ruin your whole day. I'm told they are not difficult to make, got plans for a whole set of doo-dads somewhere which include one like that. Actually, on reflection, I'm usure as to whether the one first shown to me was bought, shop made or an apprentice piece.
Clive
Clive
Can you show me some pictures? I don't know if i can make an accurate one, don't have reamers that small. I suppose you're right; I'm working in microns so any wobble would be critical. I just can't imagine how the chinese can fuck this up (I guess my imagination is not that powerful ..) .
b2major9th
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2005
- Location
- Torrance, CA
b2major9th
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2005
- Location
- Torrance, CA
Never "cheap-out" on something that ultimately determines the accuracy of your work. That is, if it matters to you or your customers.
Mike
Mike
tnmgcarbide
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2004
- Location
- N. GA- 33.992N , -83.72W usa
while they can make-do in a pinch , a stem indicator w/ this gadget has to have tremendous force compared to a test-lever indicator . i have a federal apparatus , with
needle bearings and a pear-shaped (anti-cosine?) tip . it sucks . no matter which indicator i clamp it to ( mitutoyo 1" , helios 20mm , china no - name)
it's difficult to use . it does come in handy when setting up on a deep bore - when the bestest or last word 711 won't reach , but the heavy force
needed to drive the thing has to distort any expected accuracy.
i'd suggest buying a proper cheapo test indicator over a cheapo widget .
good luck.
needle bearings and a pear-shaped (anti-cosine?) tip . it sucks . no matter which indicator i clamp it to ( mitutoyo 1" , helios 20mm , china no - name)
it's difficult to use . it does come in handy when setting up on a deep bore - when the bestest or last word 711 won't reach , but the heavy force
needed to drive the thing has to distort any expected accuracy.
i'd suggest buying a proper cheapo test indicator over a cheapo widget .
good luck.
All my test indicators are in tenths-thou-inch, while my dial indicators are in micron or better. I just want to indicate on 1xD max, for small holes
toolsteel
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
- Location
- NW Wisconsin (BFE)
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Forrest Addy
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2000
- Location
- Bremerton WA USA
That attachment when it was first invented came out of a shop probaby not as well equipped as yours is now. It's easy to make if you have a good image to RE. If accuracy is important to you. be sure the leverage is precisely 1:1.
Also this attachment adds stiction and elasticity to the set-up. Using it may result in perplexing inconsistant readings. Be sure to dither (gently tap. vibrate, or agitate) the system to setttle it to least energy state before you take a reading - and be sure to use "repeat zero" tecnique.
Also this attachment adds stiction and elasticity to the set-up. Using it may result in perplexing inconsistant readings. Be sure to dither (gently tap. vibrate, or agitate) the system to setttle it to least energy state before you take a reading - and be sure to use "repeat zero" tecnique.
wesg
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2004
Zero is zero, regardless of the units being read.
A tenth is 2.5 microns. You can easily read between the lines to get better than that. Assuming things are smooth, rigid, etc.
You'll do far better with a decent tenth test indicator than a contraption like this, regardless of how good an indicator you stick in it.
bryan_machine
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2006
- Location
- Near Seattle
And micron reading test indicators are available. I have a Dorsey (though they don't seem to list it anymore) and 1micron markings with 3micon "accuracy" can be had for a couple hundred dollars http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UATP1W/ref_=biss_dp_tp_det
You can find good used ones on eBay for a fraction of the price of a new Starrett. I try to stay away from "el cheapo" imitations for any measuring instruments: my imagination on how you can screw one up has been found wanting on too many previous occasions.
However, the comments from others regarding required force, stiction, and elasticity are right on and I am very reluctant to use even my Starrett version for <0.001" work.
Tom
Spyderedge
Titanium
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2013
- Location
- NY
I've been meaning to make one for awhile, didn't know they were commercially made. Hey, why not? 
Here, try these, this is the Starrett part, but I'd warn you it's paired with a 0.001" back plunger dial indicator, and that's about how good it is... maybe. I have it, but I have not used it.... I think I paid 5 bucks for the box, attachments, and indicator. It probably works OK at a $5 level. Better than a Last Word.... but the Last word, IF it worked, would handle most all the stuff this would do. There are DTIs with long levers that are way better.
It happily works in microns..... if you like large numbers.
Ron of Va
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2008
- Location
- Tidewater, Va
CDI makes one (Chicago Dial Indicators)
Indicator Accessories: Angle & Hole Attachments « Chicago Dial Indicator - mechanical and electronic gages
They are also included in some of their kits. Mine was included in a back plunger kit I bought off ebay for $25. The kit was similar to the Starrett 196 kits, but made by CDI.
Indicator Accessories: Angle & Hole Attachments « Chicago Dial Indicator - mechanical and electronic gages
They are also included in some of their kits. Mine was included in a back plunger kit I bought off ebay for $25. The kit was similar to the Starrett 196 kits, but made by CDI.
Clive603
Titanium
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2008
- Location
- Sussex, England
Given sufficient care with setting up and bore surface finish they can do very well indeed. I've had a tenths thou indicator on mine with very satisfactory results, down in the needle flicker rather than needle movement range. Setting an 8" four jaw to that accuracy was a bear tho', glad it was a light pattern one.
Very much a dig me out of the kitty litter rather than regular use device.
Clive
Refer to last two pics in my post above. There's a screw on each side.